Because of the impending retirement of the owner, the Leek and Rudyard Railway in the North Staffordshire Peak District has been put up for sale.
The railway runs for 1.5 miles alongside Rudyard Lake near Leek in Staffordshire and is a popular tourist attraction. The business is being sold as a going concern and is for sale as a complete entity or in parts. Potential purchasers must make prior arrangements to arrange a viewing of the railway and the assets for sale.
Although the railway is currently on sale, it will remain open and operational, but there may be some alterations to running days and events.
Daltons Business is arranging the sale, and Potential purchasers should make contact via the sale advert which can be accessed here.
Included in the sale is the railway's 1.5 miles of track, three stations, fully equipped engine shed with office and CCTV/security system, a fully equipped cafe, and various store sheds and a toilet block.
Rolling stock, which is included in the sale, consists of two steam engines, two diesel engines, a petrol shunter, ten operational passenger carriages as well as others awaiting restoration, and various wagons.
Infrastructure includes two signal boxes, points, levers, signals, a mini-tractor/digger, track equipment, hydraulic loco lift and a workshop.
The site is leased from Staffordshire County Council and there are 13 years left on the current lease out of an original term of 21. Staffordshire County Council has confirmed it is willing to enter into a new lease with the new owner on the same terms as the original lease.
The railway is located at Rudyard Station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffs ST13 8PF, and is not far from Alton Towers and the borders of Cheshire and Derbyshire. It is 10.25 inch gauge which is equivalent to half size Narrow Gauge and the trains run regardless of the weather as all its carriages are covered.
In 2016 locomotives and rolling stock of the former Isle of Mull Railway in Scotland were transferred to the railway, including locomotives Frances, Victoria, and Glen Auldyn.
If only I had the money! I ran and maintained the Paignton Zoo railway and had great plans to double the length, but sadly the zoo were hell bent on getting rid of it completely, which they subsequently achieved!
Ball park figure?
It’s on offer at £495,000 leasehold with 13 years left on the lease.
Quite a business opportumity and ripe for expansion, I would have thought.