1 / 3East Anglian Railway Museum
📍 Colchester, Greater London
Working heritage railway museum in Chappel, near Colchester, with steam and diesel train rides, Day Out With Thomas events, restoration sheds, and model railway displays. Open weekends and Wednesdays year-round.
We came to visit 20/12/2025 for A day out with Thomas. It is definitely worth the visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful and were happy to answer any question that you had. My grandson loved riding on the steam trains Thomas & Percy. We got to see Toby, and we also rode in Daisy the diesel engine. Some of the staff were dressed in old uniforms which really made the experience. The food and drink sold onsite is very well priced and not expensive at all. There were so many characters such as Sir Topham Hatt, Rusty & Dusty and even Santa Claus in his grotto, due to time of year. There is a miniature railway that unfortunately wasn’t open on the day we visited, but we did enjoy walking around looking at the model railways. There are plenty of open spaces for the children to enjoy, there is an old fashioned red double decker bus that you can eat your picnic in if it’s cold. There is a play park. Overall I think this place is worth the visit
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Train-obsessed children aged 2–12 get the most from this venue — the chance to ride behind Thomas and Percy, meet character engines, and watch live restoration work is genuinely rare. Knowledgeable volunteers make the experience educational as well as active.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,204 Google reviews
rachael freeman
3 months ago
“We came to visit 20/12/2025 for A day out with Thomas. It is definitely worth the visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful and were happy to answer any question that you had. My grandson loved riding on the steam trains Thomas & Percy. We got to see Toby, and we also rode in Daisy the diesel engine. Some of the staff were dressed in old uniforms which really made the experience. The food and drink sold onsite is very well priced and not expensive at all. There were so many characters such as Sir Topham Hatt, Rusty & Dusty and even Santa Claus in his grotto, due to time of year. There is a miniature railway that unfortunately wasn’t open on the day we visited, but we did enjoy walking around looking at the model railways. There are plenty of open spaces for the children to enjoy, there is an old fashioned red double decker bus that you can eat your picnic in if it’s cold. There is a play park. Overall I think this place is worth the visit”
Wiebo Grobler
6 months ago
“1st and definitely not the last time I'll be coming to the beer festival. Even with the typical English weather with a shower of rain every 30 mins there was plenty of space to in the old carriages to continue drinking. Great venue and great selection of beers.”
Monique
2 months ago
“A lovely museum, there was so much to see and experience. We also enjoyed the tea room, tasty cakes, and chatting with friendly and knowledgeable volunteers at the restoration shed. We would love to return soon.”
jay x
3 months ago
“Kids loved it.Rides on Annie & Clarabel, pulled by Thomas and I think there were other characters and a chance to see the big man”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The East Anglian Railway Museum operates steam and diesel trains on a heritage line, with Thomas the Tank Engine character events running across select dates. Families can walk through the restoration shed and speak with volunteers actively working on heritage carriages. The site includes model railway displays, a tea room with homemade cakes, a double-decker bus used as a sheltered picnic space, and special events including Classic Vehicle Shows and Steampunk Shenanigans weekends.
