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Fundamental to the financial and operational success of any narrow gauge railway is the quality of the track system that the locomotive and carriages run on. Our reputation for high quality trackwork is unrivalled.
We are immensely proud of our reputation, not just for the quality and longevity of our trackwork, but also for our practical, friendly and helpful advice from the outset. We only use our own experienced teams for our installations and have a Site Manager with a hands-on level of experience for surveying through to laying of tracks. Our tried and tested approach ensures that our track is laid correctly for the long-term and it is this approach that makes our work on narrow gauge railway track stand out.
We offer a complete range of narrow gauge track services from initial survey and design right through to supply and installation. We can design and create new track layouts, turnouts, turntables and points. Above all, we understand the importance of well-designed and laid track and how it affects every aspect of your operation, from the comfort of your passengers, to wear and tear on the locomotives and carriages running on it.
Our service covers new railways as well as re-alignment and upgrading of existing railways, and all of the on-going maintenance and support you might need. We'll be pleased to advise you on every aspect of your track system.
Track inspections are an inherent part of keeping your railway running efficiently as well as meeting your Health & Safety obligations. We can help and advise you on the frequency of your own routine in-house inspections; carry out periodic inspections and guide you in preparing a maintenance schedule to keep your train running safely.
You'll find our advice is never less than friendly, informative and helpful - we've built our reputation on this approach with our work across the UK and worldwide.
Below are just some of the narrow gauge railway track system projects that we have been involved with over the last 50 years. Follow the link at the bottom of the page to see even more of our work.
This was a turn-key project for a locomotive and carriages including the design, supply and installation of over half a kilometre of track through protected woodland.
This was a turn-key project for a locomotive and carriages including the design, supply and installation of over half a kilometre of track through protected woodland.
Against the classic Scottish backdrop of Ayton Castle, an 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic locomotive, ‘Lloyd’ (AK109/20), and two bogie carriages will carry guests through the grounds of the estate to the Castle. Supplied as a turn-key project, this new 800m, 10¼” gauge railway was installed in a particularly sensitive landscape.
The railway’s track was thoroughly planned with extensive liaison with the project’s landscape architects and arboriculturalists. The track was carefully and painstakingly laid through the woodland area to minimise impact on the trees’ root systems. By slighly elevating the track bed and carefully packing the sleepers, the finished result is a railway that treads only lightly in its environment.
Ayton Castle has been newly renovated throughout with careful reference to its listed status. A classic deep blue and red livery was chosen by the client to suit the rest of the Castle’s stunning styling.
Easy-ride bogies ensure the locomotive and carriages offer a smooth and very comfortable ride for operators and passengers. The locomotive itself is fitted with a reliable, low emission, compact Perkins EU Stage V, US Tier 4 diesel engine, coupled to a hydrastatic drive. Together delivering single-lever, highly responsive dynamic control. Overall, the locomotive’s controls have been kept simple and intuitive to use. The engine is designed to require only minimal day-to-day maintenance and checks with just an annual service required to keep it running reliably year after year.
The locomotive and carriages with passengers illustrates the relatively spacious nature of the carriages for children and adults alike. Set low over the easy-ride bogies that are a hallmark of our design, the carriages are highly stable in use, and offer a smooth and very comfortable ride
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.
Maintaining the track of the Postal Museum's MailRail offers a fascinating insight into a formerly hidden, underground railway.
Maintaining the track of the Postal Museum's MailRail offers a fascinating insight into a formerly hidden, underground railway.
Our brief when we were called into investigate and work on the MailRail track, was to make the interface between the wheels and the track work correctly, and so reduce wear and tear on the rails, as well as reduce 'wheel squeal'.
It was determined that all of the work required could be carried out in-situ very effectively and, with the railway the key element of the Postal Museum, an overnight working schedule was put in place which meant that the railway could continue to operate without interruption.
Annual inspections and a schedule of the minor track maintenance work continues, again all carried out after the railway has closed for the day, so there is never a need for our work to close the railway to the thousands of visitors it attracts each year.
Essential maintenance equipment is carried up and down the cliff side for the New Jersey Waterworks.
Essential maintenance equipment is carried up and down the cliff side for the New Jersey Waterworks.
The extreme conditions at the cliff side railway of the New Jersey Waterworks called for galvanised track to be specified, manufactured and installed by our experienced track installation team.
The complete track system was laid out, curved and final adjustments made, and then taken apart and galvanised, before being shipped and re-assembled on site in Jersey.
The railway is used to move essential equipment up and down the cliff and provides a safe and easily operated system for the maintenance teams working on the desalination plant pumps at the foot of the incline.
Several stages of trackwork have now been completed for Seaton Tramway in Devon, including the track systems into the new Town Terminus.
Several stages of trackwork have now been completed for Seaton Tramway in Devon, including the track systems into the new Town Terminus.
We worked with Seaton Tramway to design and install new tracks into the newly built Town Terminus. This major project involved extensive liaison with the project's architects and main contractors.
The new track was re-aligned to enter the building, transitioning from a ballast base through complex, sprung turnouts into a flush concrete surface. The building was designed to not only house the trams as passengers alighted, but also to act as a function room when required.
A later project involved a new level crossing over a major road. Our track team worked to a tightly controlled timescale as the necessary road closure meant a significant diversion for local traffic.
The Perrygrove Railway has long been a friend to Alan Keef Ltd and we've worked closely with them for many years on their locomotives, carriages and track.
The Perrygrove Railway has long been a friend to Alan Keef Ltd and we've worked closely with them for many years on their locomotives, carriages and track.
Located close to our own workshops, Perrygrove has often acted as a host to new equipment on trial prior to despatch to our customers. The Perrygrove Railway winds its way from the station uphill, through the woods to Oak Iron Terminus where passengers can alight and enjoy a picnic and the children's play area.
Most recently in early 2022, we have worked with the team at Perrygrove to realign and relay two significant complex curved sections of track. Each rail section was individually curved on site to ensure the most accurate and smooth alignment possible.