• Elsecar Heritage Railway, Elsecar, nr Barnsley, South Yorkshire - The Elsecar Heritage Railway is made up of heritage steam or diesel locomotives and rolling stock lovingly restored by a group of volunteers.
• Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Nr Skipton, North Yorkshire - A pleasant walk to the ruins of the 12th Century priory. Most trains are hauled by magnificently restored steam tank engines.
• Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Keighley, West Yorkshire - Step back in time and enjoy a train ride on The Railway Children's Railway through the heart of Brontë country. A 5 mile long preserved railway running steam and diesel trains from Keighley up the Worth Valley to Haworth and Oxenhope.
• Kirklees Light Railway, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - The Kirklees Light Railway makes for a fantastic value-for-money family day out.  At around four miles long, the line is just about the right length to keep the children entertained.
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering, North Yorkshire - From the smoke and steam pouring from the magnificent steam engines, to the cosy wood-panelled carriages and friendly conductor service - a visit to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is like taking a step back in time.
• Statesman Rail, 'The Fellsman' - Settle to Carlisle -The Settle to Carlisle line and 'The Fellsman' as seen in the TV series 'The Dales' is known for its magnificent scenery and steep gradient, climbing to the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct with stunning views of the three peaks with sweeping views of Wensleydale.
• Wensleydale Railway,Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire - A very special way to see and enjoy the Yorkshire Dales Countryside.  Services are operated by two historic diesel multiple units, a Class 107 and a Class 110.

• Leeds Industrial Museum - Once the world's largest woollen mills, today this museum presents a fascinating insight into the city's industrial heritage.
• National Railway Museum, York, The largest railway museum in the world; offering three giant halls packed full of incredible trains and interactive fun, this award-winning museum also has an exciting rolling programme of exhibitions running throughout the year.
• Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel, Ingrow, nr Keighley, West Yorkshire - Over 50 TV and film productions have featured restored railway carriages from this multi-award winning museum. Sit in our carriages and imagine what rail travel used to be like.

Settle-Carlisle Railway, Settle, North Yorkshire

The 72 mile route from Settle to Carlisle takes you on a journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging in to the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor. Emerging onto the side of Dentdale, the line leaves the Dales at Garsdale and makes it way through the gentle, lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley, with rural villages and market towns before arriving at the great border city of Carlisle.

Listening on the line... You can also listen to an audio guide narrated by Mark Holdstock, a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4 and written by Friends of Settle-Carlisle - the commentaries on the views, history and storeis of the route are timed exactly to the speed of the train. Download the MP3 audio files in advance here or purchase pre-loaded MP3 players at the stations on the line. Alternatively download the free Settle-Carlisle Railway Guide app for your smartphone which finds your position using GPS to point out places of interest along the way. 

Shipley Glen Tramway, Baildon, nr Shipley, West Yorkshire.

The Shipley Glen Cable Tramway is the oldest working cable tramway in Great Britain (cliff lifts excepted). Dating from 1895, the line was built to serve the local beauty of Shipley Glen, near Saltaire in West Yorkshire. At nearly a quarter-mile in length, the woodland ride provides a pleasant alternative to the steep path.

Great Northern Railway Trail

A recently developed cycle path and public bridleway which follows sections of the route of the (now disused) Great Northern Railway line. At present the section between Harecroft and Cullingworth (which crosses no less than two scenic viaducts) is open as a right of way, as is the (as yet unconnected) section across Thornton Viaduct, but it is understood that there are plans to develop more of the original route for the benefit of walkers, cyclists and horse riders in the area.

• Kirklees Light Railway, Huddersfield - This 15 inch narrow-gauge railway was once an old branch line which has since been extensively redeveloped to become an all-weather attraction, hugely popular with adults and children alike.
• Lightwater Valley Miniature Railway, nr Ripon, North Yorkshire - The Lightwater Valley Miniature Railway first opened in 1979 and is situated in the Lightwater Valley Theme Park near Ripon. On the journey, the train makes brief stops at stations 'Fort William' and 'Whistle Stop'.
• Newby Hall Railway, Ripon - The Newby Hall Miniature Railway first opened in 1971, running in the grounds of Newby Hall Estate near Ripon.
• North Bay Railway, Scarborough - Journey from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills station, offering beautiful views of Scarborough's North Bay.
• Shibden Miniature Railway, Halifax - Set in the park that contains Shibden Hall, the railway run in the lower part of the park, passing a picnic area and boating lake.
• South Garden Miniature Railway, York - Pass through a 'live' willow tunnel and over a pond on a simple 200 yard line in the South Yard of the National Railway Museum.
• Wolds Way Lavender Railway, Malton - Originally built to transport lavender from the fields to the lavender distillation plant, jump onboard the Roanoke petrol locomotive and 2 sit-in coaches, in a smart cream and purple livery.

Please note: not all railways listed are running every day and, before visiting, the reader should ring and check the details of operation.