Did you know Dunfermline and West Fife has a rich railway heritage? At Lathalmond Railway Museum, Shed47 Railway Restoration Group has been steadily rebuilding a railway shed. Situated right by the well-stocked Vintage Bus Museum, you can visit two Dunfermline attractions in one day! Why not drop by and see some lovingly restored steam locomotives and a WWII-era Royal Navy shed?
A Look Into Dunfermline’s Past
Construction originally began on the railway in 1941 – during WWII. Intended as relief for the navy base at Rosyth Dockyard, the site was known at the time as Lathalmond Royal Naval Stores and Transit Depot.
Restoring Lathalmond Railway
Since 1997, Shed47 Railway Restoration Group has been steadily rebuilding a small section of the original Royal Navy site. Thanks to them, Lathalmond Railway Museum is home to the last operational railway weighbridge in the country. Locomotives are up and running on the railway, including the lovingly restored narrow-gauge steam engine called Big Dave – your ticket includes unlimited rides as long as it’s running! Shed47 has details on what locomotives are running at Lathalmond Railway, check before your visit to catch your favourites.
@welcome.to.dunfermline Looking for a fun day out in Fife?📍 Check out the Lathalmond Railway Museum & Scottish Vintage Bus Museum! Just west of Dunfermline, these two fantastic museums offer a brilliant day out (especially for those with wee ones!). You can grab a ticket to ride the steam trains and hop on vintage buses, making it a fun and unique experience for all ages🚍🚂 The museums are open every Sunday until October 6th, so be sure to plan your visit soon! @WelcometoFife #Dunfermline #ScottishFYP #ScotlandTravel #ScotlandHiddenGems #ScottishTreasures #ExploreScotland #VisitScotland #FYP #Fife #WelcomeToFife #ScotlandIsCalling #FYpage #EdinburghDayTrip #EdinburghDayOut #FifeDayOut #Vintagebuses #SteamTrain #ScottishMuseum #MuseumsScotland ♬ Get It On – early version – T. Rex
Two Things To Do in Dunfermline in One Day
Lathalmond Railway Museum is home to functional railway tracks, with real steam engines here for you to take a ride on! You can also take a look at the Captured in Time Exhibition, with a stunning collection of photos taken around the time of construction. There’s also, of course, an extensive model railway that takes you through the changes to the area during WWII.
Make sure you wear comfy shoes – you’ll want to take a trip to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum right next door as well. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon immersed in this often-overlooked part of history!
Plan Your Next Visit To Dunfermline
Alongside Dunfermline’s Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond Railway Museum is an excellent addition to a cosy weekend day out for history and transport enthusiasts alike. Adults and children will enjoy a trip on an authentic restored locomotive, and taking a peek at the construction of a formerly top-secret naval site.
If you’re looking for things to do in Dunfermline, Lathalmond Dunfermline Railway Museum is staffed by passionate volunteers and open every Sunday between 31st March and 6th October.
Next time you visit Dunfermline, why not drop by Lathalmond Railway Museum?