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In 2022 we delivered a third new locomotive to Longleat Safari Park whom we're proud to have enjoyed a working relationship with for just short of five decades!
In 2022 we delivered a third new locomotive to Longleat Safari Park whom we're proud to have enjoyed a working relationship with for just short of five decades!
This latest locomotive was delivered along with a new style carriage ready for trials through the summer. Sporting Longleat's traditional deep red livery, the new locomotive has a highly efficient, low-emission, diesel powered engine. The carriage is a prototype featuring improved passenger space and comfort, wheelchair access and colour changing LED lighting.
The 15" gauge track navigates the park, running alongside the Capability Brown designed lake and adjacent woodland, and we continue to work through a scheduled, comprehensive track relaying programme.
The Mine Railway is an intrinisic part of any visit to this historic river port in Devon.
The Mine Railway is an intrinisic part of any visit to this historic river port in Devon.
The quay grew to support the local mines and was at its peak in the Victorian era. Now run as a tourist attraction and museum it is the terminus of the Tavistock Canal, and has its own copper mine.
Visitors are invited to board the train and travel into the old mine workings to experience what working inside might once have been like. In 2022 the mine reopens to visitors with a new locomotive supplied by Alan Keef Ltd. The new loco will work in tandem with an older locomotive that we have totally refurbished, to offer a push/pull operation. Both locomotives are battery-electric and feature current AC drive technology for the most efficient operation.
Over a long working relationship with the family that run Morwellham Quay (and also the Bicton Woodland Railway), we help with ongoing advice and support for the rest of their railway infrastructure too.
The images here show the two locomotives operating on our test track during their final programming and testing in late 2021 and after final commissioning at Morwellhamam Quay in 2022.
Formerly known as Kew Bridge Water Museum, the London Museum of Steam & Water shows how light railways were once commonly used within the water pumping industry.
Formerly known as Kew Bridge Water Museum, the London Museum of Steam & Water shows how light railways were once commonly used within the water pumping industry.
We were called in to review the operations of this railway and to work with the team of volunteers to ensure it continued to offer a safe visitor attraction. As well as undertaking essential track repair and maintenance, we took their locomotive 'Alister' to be overhauled before returning the loco and giving their team training in its operation.
Our pictures also show the steam locomotive that resides at this museum - well worth a visit for those interested in industrial archaeology!
We are proud of our long association with Blenheim Palace and their 15" gauge railway.
We are proud of our long association with Blenheim Palace and their 15" gauge railway.
In recent years we have undertaken extensive track relay and upgrade work and supplied a new 0-6-0 steam outline locomotive 'Winston' together with a matching set of four carriages.
The railway provides a vital transport link for the many thousands of visitors that arrive at this UNESCO World Heritage site each year. It connects the Palace and the Pleasure Gardens, a distance of just under 1km.
The Blists Hill Mine Railway forms part of the Blists Hill Victorian Town museum at the Ironbridge Gorge.
The Blists Hill Mine Railway forms part of the Blists Hill Victorian Town museum at the Ironbridge Gorge.
Alan Keef Ltd were called in to create this complete, turn-key railway attraction. The project comprised a 2ft gauge battery-electric push/pull trainset and associated trackwork that takes passengers into a replica fire clay mine.
This private garden 10¼" gauge railway is a recreation of a traditional Edwardian garden railway and is a pure delight.
This private garden 10¼" gauge railway is a recreation of a traditional Edwardian garden railway and is a pure delight.
After emerging from its engine shed and station area in the lower garden into a wooded area, the railway traverses through the beautiful landscape before entering a paddock set with sculptures that can then be viewed from all angles as the train continues its journey. A further holt is set alongside the estate's helipad and driveway which allows passengers to alight before continuing their onward journey!
The engine and rolling stock were acquired from an earlier private garden railway and were extensively overhauled before being put into service.
Further work to the estate and garden here necessitated part of the railway being taken up to protect it, before being carefully relaid.
The Margam Park Railway is set amidst the beautiful 1,000 acre Margam Country Park in South Wales.
The Margam Park Railway is set amidst the beautiful 1,000 acre Margam Country Park in South Wales.
We worked with Neath Port Talbot Borough Council to provide a complete 2ft gauge railway running from the Orangery to the Castle. The project included the provision of a steam outline locomotive and three carriages and all of the track system infrastructure.
The Great Woburn Railway forms a key part of the attraction at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire and we're proud to have designed and built a locomotive, carriages as well as continuing to maintain their track.
The Great Woburn Railway forms a key part of the attraction at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire and we're proud to have designed and built a locomotive, carriages as well as continuing to maintain their track.
The steam outline diesel locomotive, 'Lady Alexandra', operates with four bogie carriages offering passengers the option to travel in a fully open, partly closed or full enclosed carriage.
The track, configured with two balloon loops, is approximately 1km long and runs through the animal enclosures. We undertake regular annual inspection and maintenance of this railway to ensure it continues to operate safely throughout the year. The images here show some of the latest work on the track at the Woburn Railway.
Restored WDLR Baldwin 4-6-0 for Leighton Buzzard Light Railway.
Restored WDLR Baldwin 4-6-0 for Leighton Buzzard Light Railway.
These locomotives are possibly the most recognisable that were used by the Allies on the Western Front during WW1. Subsequently exported to an Indian sugar mill, this Baldwin was returned to the UK in a totally worn out condition. A full 'ground-up' restoration was undertaken for the Greensand Railway Museum Trust to return the locomotive to steam for operation on the LBLR.
John Rennie and Bayhurst have both been remanufactured and upgraded for Ruislip Lido Railway
John Rennie and Bayhurst have both been remanufactured and upgraded for Ruislip Lido Railway
Originally built by others, both locomotives had proved problematic in service and a solution was sought from Alan Keef Ltd to undertake the work necessary to ensure they were operationally compatible with the railway. The work involved reconfiguring the locomotives with a new transmission and driveline, as well as an upgrade of the suspension and other more minor modifications.
Everyone that knows us, understands that railways are our personal passion as well as our business.
Everyone that knows us, understands that railways are our personal passion as well as our business.
We have our own collection of steam, petrol and battery-electric locomotives as well as a range of carriages and wagons. All lovingly restored or built from scratch, some are very much a work in progress and usually only seen at our Open Days.
Woto is clearly the pride and joy - painstakingly restored from a near derelict state and brought back to life by Patrick, Woto has operated extensively on UK and near-continental heritage railways, bringing pleasure to all that have come into contact with her. Taffy is a replica De Winton vertical boiler locomotive built by Alan and, whilst she hasn't been in steam for over ten years, she is now being prepared ready for steaming at the 2022 Open Day. Our 'Woto Weekends' have turned into 'Taffy Weekends' - thank you to everyone that comes along!
The Dalmunzie collection was acquired by Patrick in 2017 (shown here being removed from the Dalmunzie estate) and the two unique, Motor-Rail carriages became a lockdown restoration project for Alan, with the expectation that they will be used for passengers at the 2022 Open Day. The Dalmunzie Motor Rail petrol locomotive is an altogether bigger project and will be tackled as and when time allows.
In our own garden, a range of vintage wagons and skips do service for gardening duties and wood hauling, with the railway extended into the woodstores, whilst a venerable battery locomotive from the slate mines in Wales stands ready for restoration too.
Our expertise was required to manufacture a pair of new bogies for a replica of an original WHR Ashbury carriage for the Welsh Highland Railway.
Our expertise was required to manufacture a pair of new bogies for a replica of an original WHR Ashbury carriage for the Welsh Highland Railway.
These bogies feature a traditionally riveted frame construction, as per the originals, but incorporate modern, roller-bearing axle boxes to offer low maintenance.