Laura Mckellar
09.12.2024
An amazing experience had by all my family. Went to see Santa yesterday and I can promise you will return the following year, was a lovely experience meeting Santa, going on the train, receiving a gift, and having a lovely lunch. Can’t thank everyone involved enough for the experience we received yesterday on the Santa experience.
Ann Hamilton
01.12.2024
Santa train was great, kids loved it. Tea and cakes afterwards was fab. The folk here do a marvellous job keeping this place going, well worth a visit and to give your support. Will be back next year!
Philip Hendry
29.09.2024
Good visit
Ewa Scott
29.09.2024
Fantastic place run by volunteers.
Jimmy McMillan
08.09.2024
Grandson loves it
Douglas Iggo
27.08.2024
It was a wet day but it was a great visit would recommend it to all
John James
01.06.2024
Lovely place, you're greeted with 2 big chimneys and a large warehouse type building when you enter the car park, which is quite impressive.
The staff were really friendly, particularly the woman who was working in the cafe who kept coming over to see our new baby.
Nice food on offer in the cafe, too. Lorn sausage and bacon sandwiches, sweet treats, crisps, pop, etc. Our little boy enjoyed colouring in the free pictures.
The train journey itself was quite short, but the views of the hills were worth the trip alone.
We visited during a classic car show so there was some nice old classics to look at, especially an old 1600 escort.
Lovely day out, highly recommend visiting.
Leigh Shirra
26.05.2024
Big thank you to everyone involved with this gem of a place. Took my 103 year old dad today for a "wee hurl" on the steam train. I cannot thank everyone enough for the help and support we got to make the afternoon so special for my dad.
Vince O'Hare
27.08.2023
Enjoyed it, especially the classic car show, I found Uncle Billy's Punch and Judy show very loud... but it was lapped up by those there
David McDonald
09.08.2023
I had never heard of the Doon Valley Railway until I read recent press coverage regarding their efforts to secure funding to keep this absolute gem of a place running in its current fashion.
I'm so glad that we chose to visit and, in a small way, add some support to keep this wonderful little venue going.
Having used the website to pre-book tickets for the steam train, we visited on a Sunday morning. Although there were already people in attendance at the time we arrived, there were no lengthy queues to contend with, and the volunteer staff were friendly and patient; the absence of queues and demeanour of the staff were an absolute blessing for us as we have a child with autism.
My sons were both incredibly excited when they realised they were getting a chance to ride on a steam train! Seating on the train is limited due to the size of the carriages used and so, booking for the train in advance is an absolute must. It's a relatively short journey through the picturesque Ayrshire countryside, with something of a narrative of the history of the site, rolling stock, etc provided by one of the volunteers manning the train.
Following the return journey on the steam train, my boys were delighted to get the chance to activate the train whistle and again, the staff on site were very helpful and patient.
Within the museum area, you will find trains and artefacts related to the history of the site and the industrial heritage of the area generally. In addition, there is a wonderful little model train exhibition which the staff were kind enough to let my sons operate.
The site itself was formerly part of the Dunaskin Ironworks, and many of the disused buildings that wouldn't look out of place on an episode of 'Abandoned Engineering' still loom large over the area. The chimneys of the site are immediately apparent on approach to the area.
The cafe on site is well provisioned with an array of cakes, sandwiches, cold drinks, coffee, etc.
The gift shop, as one might expect, is full of train-related merchandise, from books and DVDs, to the usual souvenirs and toys for the kids.
A visit to the site itself is FREE, it is only the train ride that comes at a cost. For anyone interested in local history or trains, or have kids that adore trains, a visit to the Doon Valley Railway is an absolute must.
San B
01.08.2023
Fabulous day out our Classic Car Clubs had on Sunday 30th. Luke Skilton gave us a privileged view of the Locomotive Shed, Wagon & Joinery shops.
The centre has a cafe and Museum. The staff, young and old are all so friendly and knowledgeable.
Help save this Heritage site.
Step into the past.....Ironworks and Brickwork chimneys still stand proud.
barry taylor
01.08.2023
Wonderful time visiting museum and going for a ride on one of their coaches being pulled by an old steam engines. Also they had on display a number of classic cars. Enjoyed tea and cakes in the cafe.
Emi
31.07.2023
Great day out. You can take a short ride on the restored steam train and visit the museum to learn about the history of the area and rail industry. There is also a nice café to get lunch from.
Stewart Muirhead
30.07.2023
A good day out for the past,see steam trains and have a.short journey to the past, unfortunately some greedy businessman is going to put an end to this blast to the past, he's selling off the land and out priced the railway group, the local council not interested in helping them despite the local parish getting £35 million from a wind farm project,yes another one in east Ayrshire,in my opinion more money to go to useless projects when a worthy cause is to struggle and local council lines it's pockets,grip over 😁👍
Conor Brown
30.07.2023
Wonderful, wholesome little place. Great little site soaked in the industrial heritage of the region with brilliant volunteer staff. Cafe is great and the train ride is great fun for all ages.
The train route is fairly short but this is actually a positive IMO as it suits young kids quite well who might get agitated on longer routes.
Visited before and look forward to visiting again.
Jim Negus
19.07.2023
I visited Doon Valley Railway and instantly fell in love with the raw industrial heritage surroundings and the importance of the line in its heyday to the surrounding villages. Today it's still valid and important as a tourist attraction. The museum tells the story very well.
The staff are all extremely friendly and a pleasure to deal with as are the facilities available.
Of particular interest to me is the sole UK working fireless locomotive which again gives a unique experience not to be found anywhere else in the UK.
Doon Valley Railway is a very special place which must be treasured by all and protected at all costs. If you can afford a donation no matter how small it will help. I made the journey from Kent in England, it was definitely worth the effort to see a very important piece of Scotland's industrial heritage.
Looking forward to making my next visit again soon.
Paul Gilston
02.07.2023
Visited this little gem of a place today, small museum was free entry and it didn't cost much for a short ride on one off the steam engines. Very interesting. Great staff that are all volunteers which is amazing
Michael Griffin
23.06.2023
Very interesting,grandkids loved the wee train.nice cafe, very clean toilets. Museum and model trains great fun.
Maureen Stones
06.06.2023
Super little steam train. The volunteers are working very hard to keep this little railway, museum & cafe going, well & I'm sure would welcome people's support ... well worth a visit on their open days.
Jim
02.06.2023
Great little railway great to see industrial Steam and Diesel in Ayrshire
Derek Bingham (13thQuestion)
08.05.2023
Great museum, very friendly volunteer staff and excellent experience on the 82 year old diesel.
Reyner Street
19.04.2023
The railway has reopened for the 2023 season, trains on most Sundays but check first. Very friendly volunteers, small café but freshly made sandwiches (can usually provide something veggie/vegan) and great coffee.
John Majka
15.04.2023
Very very helpful staff.
Hidden Gem, like stepping back in time.
Kim Ramsay
10.04.2023
Lovely wee place. Good price to go on the steam train. Great place for kids.
James Mackay
05.01.2023
The best place if you like trains.
John Gordon
03.12.2022
Third visit and still not all narrow guage locos available to view. When groups like BLS, IRS and NGR visit, such locations should have all these area's open because they will not be required at any other time when the general public are visiting!
John Cameron
21.11.2022
Fascinating place. If you are interest on industrial history and/ or railways you will love it. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Has a museum, cafe and shop as well as a working railway that you can ride on. We had an excellent visit.
Ewa
03.11.2022
Great place for people loving trains ! Highly recommend 😊 will be back whenever the place is open (usually every second Sunday a year, more often during summer months )
Sean Meikle
08.10.2022
Love old trains
