Wales West Light Railway in Silverhill, Alabama
Outdoor rail parkTrain ridesHoliday event trains in season; call about daily rides off season
Wales West Light Railway is a mile-long, 2 foot narrow gauge railway in Silverhill, Alabama, built to recreate the little light railways of Wales and pulled by Dame Ann, an English-built steam locomotive, beside a popular RV resort.
- 2 foot narrow gauge railway
- Steam locomotive Dame Ann
- About 1 mile of track
- Over 30,000 visitors a year
- RV resort on site
- Pumpkin Patch and Christmas trains
Wales West Light Railway at a glance
- Hours
- Trains run most days, with special schedules during holiday events; call for off-season times
- Admission
- Tickets sold online; prices vary by event
- Train rides
- 2 ft narrow gauge and 7.5 inch grand scale trains, plus a vintage tractor ride
- Seasonal events
- Pumpkin Patch Express, Arctic Express, Cottontail Express, Christmas lights
- Plan for
- About 2 to 3 hours on an event day
- Best for
- Families with young children and RV travelers
- Best ages
- Toddlers to age 10
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill, AL 36576(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(251) 232-2322
- Emailenquiries@waleswest.com
- Alsotickets@waleswest.com
- Websitewaleswest.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow Wales West Light Railway
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Wales West Light Railway? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Silverhill.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A little piece of Wales on the Gulf Coast
Wales West takes its name and its idea from the narrow gauge railways that still serve remote parts of Wales. On those light railways the engines and cars are smaller and run on rails just 2 feet apart, rather than the 4 feet 8 and a half inches of a standard railroad. Owners Ann and Ken Zadnichek built their Silverhill line to recreate that look, laying about a mile of 2 foot track and adding a shorter 7.5 inch gauge grand scale railway.
The star of the line is Dame Ann, an 11,700-pound 0-4-2 saddle tank steam locomotive built by the Exmoor Steam Railway in Bratton Fleming, England. She completed her steam trials at the Launceston Steam Railway in Cornwall and arrived in Alabama in 2004. Modeled on the Penrhyn Port Class engines that Hunslet built in the nineteenth century, she was the first Port Class Hunslet engine built in 83 years.
Her working partner, Gareth, is a Motor Rail Simplex 40S diesel from the mid-1960s that once pulled a single car train in Scotland. Wales West bought him from Alan Keef Ltd to help build the railway and gave him a new body styled after Alan Keef's own Simplex diesels of the 1980s. The passenger cars are replicas built from nineteenth-century plans, wood over steel frames, riding on wheels imported from England and fitted with modern air brakes.
Over the years the railway has grown into a family destination and RV resort, now drawing more than 30,000 visitors a year, with resort managers Shane and Lori Lindsey looking after campers.
Two railways, a tractor ride and a lot of play space
Wales West runs two train rides of different sizes: the 2 foot narrow gauge railway and the 7.5 inch grand scale line. Both are big enough for adults to ride, so parents and grandparents climb aboard with the kids. Trains leave the station on most days, and during event seasons they head out to the Pumpkin Patch or the North Pole, passing everyone from the Easter Bunny to Halloween monsters along the way.
Around the station you will find a vintage tractor ride, a railroad-themed putt-putt golf course and several playgrounds, along with a cafe and gift shop. For overnight guests, the RV resort has lake swimming, fishing and an indoor heated pool, and its location makes it a base for exploring the Gulf Coast.
Don’t miss
- Dame AnnAn English-built 0-4-2 saddle tank steam engine delivered in 2004, the first Port Class Hunslet design built in 83 years.
- Gareth the Simplex dieselA mid-1960s Motor Rail locomotive that worked in Scotland before helping build this railway.
- The replica passenger carsWooden cars built from nineteenth-century plans on steel frames, rolling on wheels imported from England.
- The 7.5 inch grand scale railwayA smaller ridable line that still carries grown-ups, a fun second ride after the narrow gauge train.
- Railroad-themed putt-puttA mini golf course with a train theme, good for older kids between rides.
Built around little riders
Wales West describes itself as a theme park for children built around its train ride, and the details fit: two trains sized so the whole family fits, a tractor ride, playgrounds, putt-putt and themed event trains with costumed characters. Toddlers usually do well on the short loops, and the seasonal events give older kids pumpkins, lights and the North Pole.
School groups can book the Arctic Express, Pumpkin Patch Express and Cottontail Express field trips, each with a train ride, event activities and refreshments. Train safety lessons and playground time can be added on request.
Plan your visit: tips for Wales West Light Railway
- Buy event tickets online, and email tickets@waleswest.com with any ticket questions.
- Call (251) 232-2322 before an off-season visit to confirm daily train rides.
- Book school field trips early; Wales West says spots fill up fast.
- Plan time for the playgrounds and putt-putt between train rides.
- Party reservations go through the main office at (251) 232-2322.
Wales West is busiest during its holiday events. In fall the Pumpkin Patch Express carries families to the pumpkin patch, with Halloween monsters along the route and a haunted house nearby, and in winter the trains run to the North Pole under Christmas lights. In spring the Easter Bunny makes an appearance. See our list of Halloween train rides in Alabama to compare fall options.
A family-owned railway and resort
Wales West is privately owned by Ann and Ken Zadnichek, with resort managers Shane and Lori Lindsey running the RV park. Visitors support it simply by riding, booking a birthday party or field trip, and stopping at the cafe and gift shop. RV travelers can also look into its Workamper program, which trades work for part of the campsite rent.
More trains near Silverhill
The Foley Railroad Museum is about 9 miles south and adds a 1909 depot and a large model railroad. Across the state line, the West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton is about 45 miles east. See every Alabama train museum for the rest of the state.
- Foley Railroad MuseumFoley, AL · about 9 mi
- West Florida Railroad MuseumMilton, FL · about 45 mi
- Historic Hattiesburg Train DepotHattiesburg, MS · about 106 mi
- Meridian Railroad MuseumMeridian, MS · about 139 mi
- New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal historic exhibitsNew Orleans, LA · about 142 mi
- New Orleans Streetcar historic operationsNew Orleans, LA · about 142 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The little Welsh-style coaches at Wales West sit low to the rails, and I think Rally would approve. On the big train in our book, his corgi legs are too short for those tall steps, and Dad has to give him a boost while Mom holds his leash. A smaller train like Dame Ann's might let him hop right on by himself.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Alabama: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Alabama
- Halloween train rides in Alabama
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Wales West Light Railway?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Wales West Light Railway official website(opens in a new tab)
- Wales West Light Railway on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Wales West Light Railway on Wikipedia(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Wales West Light Railway: 20 questions families ask
What is the Wales West Light Railway and RV Resort?
Wales West Light Railway and RV Resort is a narrow gauge tourist railway, family theme park and RV campground in Silverhill, Alabama. Its 2 foot gauge railway is built to look like the light railways of Wales, and it also runs a smaller 7.5 inch gauge train. More than 30,000 people visit each year.
Where is Wales West Light Railway in Silverhill, AL?
Wales West is at 13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill, Alabama 36576, in Baldwin County near the Gulf Coast. The railway and the RV resort share the same entrance. The website has driving directions, and you can call (251) 232-2322 if you need help finding it.
How much are Wales West Light Railway tickets?
Ticket prices vary by event and are posted with each event on the Wales West website, where tickets are sold online. For questions about online ticket sales, call the main office at (251) 232-2322 or email tickets@waleswest.com. School field trips are priced separately at $12 per student as of October 2026.
Do I need to buy Wales West tickets in advance?
For holiday events, buying online ahead of time is the safest plan, since the Pumpkin Patch and Christmas trains are the busiest days. For off-season daily rides, call (251) 232-2322 to ask about times and tickets. Ticket questions can also go to tickets@waleswest.com.
When do trains run at Wales West?
Wales West says its trains pull out of the station just about every day, with special themed runs during its event seasons in spring, summer, fall and winter. Off-season daily ride times are not posted online, so call (251) 232-2322 before you visit outside an event.
Does Wales West have a Christmas train?
Yes. In winter the trains run to the North Pole, and the park's Christmas lights are a favorite with families. School groups can book the Arctic Express field trip. Dates and tickets for the Christmas season are posted on the Wales West website, so check there in the fall and book early.
What is the Pumpkin Patch Express at Wales West?
The Pumpkin Patch Express is Wales West's fall event, when trains carry families out to the pumpkin patch past Halloween monsters along the way. The site also advertises a haunted house in the season. Schools can book a Pumpkin Patch Express field trip with a train ride, activities and refreshments.
What trains does Wales West run?
Wales West runs two railways: a 2 foot narrow gauge line about a mile long and a 7.5 inch grand scale line. Its steam locomotive Dame Ann was built in England and delivered in 2004, and Gareth is a 1960s Simplex diesel. Both rides are big enough for adults.
Is the Wales West train real steam?
Yes. Dame Ann is an 11,700-pound 0-4-2 saddle tank steam locomotive built by the Exmoor Steam Railway in England and based on the nineteenth-century Hunslet Port Class. Alabama tourism calls Wales West the only authentic steam-powered Welsh narrow gauge train in the country.
Can you camp at Wales West Light Railway?
Yes. Wales West is also a popular RV resort and campground that draws travelers looking for mild winters and a base to explore the Gulf Coast. Campground listings describe big-rig sites with full hookups. Call the reservation desk at (251) 232-2322 or email enquiries@waleswest.com to check rates.
What amenities does the Wales West RV Resort have?
The resort offers lake swimming, fishing, an indoor heated pool, a cafe and a gift shop, along with the train rides, playgrounds and putt-putt. Trailer Life magazine surveys gave it a satisfaction rating of 9.5 out of 10, according to the resort. Workampers can trade work for part of their rent.
Who owns Wales West Light Railway?
Wales West Light Railway is owned by Ann and Ken Zadnichek, who built it to recreate a Welsh narrow gauge railway in Alabama. Shane and Lori Lindsey manage the RV resort. Contact the main office at (251) 232-2322 or enquiries@waleswest.com.
Is Wales West good for toddlers?
Yes. Wales West describes itself as a theme park for children built around its train ride, with two trains, a tractor ride, playgrounds and railroad putt-putt. Short loops and costumed characters at event times make it an easy outing for little ones, and grown-ups can ride along.
Can I have a birthday party at Wales West?
Yes. Wales West takes party reservations through its main office. Call (251) 232-2322 or email enquiries@waleswest.com to ask about dates, what is included and pricing. Party details are not listed online, so ask how train rides and playground time fit into the booking.
Does Wales West offer school field trips?
Yes. Schools can book the Arctic Express, Pumpkin Patch Express or Cottontail Express. As of October 2026, each trip costs $12 per student with a $300 group minimum and includes a train ride, event activities and refreshments. Contact Mrs. Donna at 252-241-1223 or enquiries@waleswest.com.
Is Wales West wheelchair accessible?
Wales West does not post accessibility details online, though visitors have praised staff for going out of their way to accommodate a guest in a wheelchair. Call (251) 232-2322 before you go to ask about boarding the trains and getting around the grounds.
Is there food at Wales West?
Yes. Wales West has a cafe with a limited menu, and the gift shop is open too. For field trips, refreshments are included in the per-student price. Ask the main office at (251) 232-2322 about cafe hours on the day you plan to visit.
Why is it called Wales West?
The name comes from the narrow gauge light railways that still serve remote areas of Wales. On those lines the engines and cars are smaller and the rails are only 2 feet apart. Wales West copied that style, from its steam engine to its replica wooden coaches.
Are Wales West reviews good?
Reviews tend to be positive. Families often mention friendly staff, the Christmas lights and coming back year after year, and the resort reports a 9.5 out of 10 satisfaction rating from Trailer Life magazine surveys. Its Facebook page has a large, active following.
What train museums are near Wales West?
The Foley Railroad Museum is about 9 miles away, with a 1909 depot, a 1,200 square foot model railroad and free kids' train rides. The West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton, Florida, is about 45 miles east. Farther west, the Historic Hattiesburg Train Depot in Mississippi is about 106 miles away.
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