Tunnel visitors double after attraction installed

Leicestershire Industrial History Society says the miniature railway will return in 2026

Visitors to a historic tunnel in Leicestershire have more than doubled after a miniature railway was installed, volunteers have said.

The one-mile-long (1.6km) Glenfield Railway Tunnel was the longest in the world when it first opened in 1832.

It ran until 1960s at which point the tunnel was bought by Leicester City Council for £5.

Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS), which runs the railway, has run tours for 13 years, but said it had seen a boost in visitors since it installed the new train attraction.

Rodger Caunt, chairman of the society, said they usually welcome about 2,000 visitors, but this year it more than doubled to 5,000.

"The tours have always been very successful, but this year we decided to have the added attraction of the miniature railway and it's been unbelievably popular," he said.

"It's been far beyond what we could have imagined.

"We think the tunnel is a hidden gem, so we're all very pleased to show it off."

On Wednesday, LIHS confirmed the miniature railway attraction would return to the tunnel in 2026.

The tunnel will be vacated at the end of October until May so long-eared brown bats can hibernate for the winter but rides will return during July and September next year.

Tickets for the miniature railway experience are free but visitors are asked to make a donation.

Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "What we've got here in Leicester is a very important piece of world history.

"We have to look forward now to the early 2030s, celebrating the 200 years of this railway, celebrating what it meant to the development of the railways and celebrating what it meant to the development of Leicester."