[1] Originally built by the Grand Union Canal Company over a much shorter route, the line has been extended in recent years and now covers more than two thirds of the perimeter of the reservoir.

Haste Hill, which also has a turntable, became a temporary terminus of the line again in early 2013 owing to major works at Willow Lawn station associated with the Lido redevelopment programme.

The railway was built in 1945 by the Grand Union Canal Company as part of Ruislip Lido, with short trains hauled by the Atlantic-type steam locomotive, Prince Edward.

Built along the south-east shore of the reservoir, where a beach had been created, control of the lido passed to Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council (RNUDC) when the Grand Union was nationalised.

An accident in 1978, which injured several people in a derailment due to speeding, resulted in closure of the railway, which soon began to display signs of dereliction.

Lady of the Lakes entered service just before the new station opened, equipped with newly designed carriages built in the railway's workshops.

The line was extended again to Haste Hill, which involved the construction of cuttings, embankments, steep gradients and tight curves.

[2] A special 2009 production for Halloween was held at the railway in association with the Argosy Players, a local dramatic group from the Compass Theatre in Ickenham.

[4] In 2010, the Woody Bay ticket office and the nearby children's playground were damaged by vandals driving a stolen tractor.

The line side was equipped with cosmetic (non-functioning) signals, level crossing, water tower, and coaling stage, to enhance the railway atmosphere.

When the RLRS took over operation in 1979 extensive remedial works were required, whilst the top loop curve (site of the derailment) was fully re-laid in 20 lb rail before services resumed.

As part of the agreement for handing over total control of the railway on Good Friday 1980, the London Borough of Hillingdon stipulated that the whole of the original dog bone circuit was to be re-laid within the first five years.

The RLRS achieved this by the end of year four, using new larger softwood sleepers, and 20 lb rail (generally in 18 ft lengths) secured with dog spikes.

The first extension (stage 1) utilised a slightly larger type of softwood sleeper, with the 20 lb rail (in longer 30 ft lengths) secured with dog spikes.

A programme to replace all dog spikes with coach screws has since been undertaken across the entire line, resulting in better ride quality, and improved safety.

In February 1992, the specification of 'stage 3' of the railway extension to Willow Lawn proposed using heavier permanent way, requiring less fettling and alignment to maintain good condition.

Stage 3 opened in 1997, terminating at a large new station named "Ruislip Lido (Water's Edge)", and since renamed "Willow Lawn".

In early 2000, a plan of major track renewals was formulated, to gradually upgrade the entire permanent way to the higher standard of the Willow Lawn (stage 3) extension.

The track height was significantly raised in places to give a reasonable depth of ballast under the sleepers, with the sub-formation improved, or completely rebuilt in some locations.

The last surviving section of stage 2 (1990) track formation (100 ft of the platform road at Haste Hill station) was relaid in March 2017.