Middleton Railway
Middleton Railway | |
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Moor Road station | |
Website | |
middletonrailway.org.uk/ |
The Middleton Railway is the world's oldest continuously working railway,[1] situated in the English city of Leeds. It was founded in 1758 and is now a heritage railway, run by volunteers from The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. since 1960.
The railway operates passenger services at weekends and on public holidays over approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of track between its headquarters at
Origins: Middleton colliery
Coal has been worked in
Middleton Railway Act 1757 | |
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Act of Parliament | |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 9 June 1758 |
Other legislation | |
Repealed by | Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1978 |
Status: Repealed |
In 1757 he proposed to build a waggonway towards Leeds, and to ensure its permanence Brandling sought ratification in an
An Act for Establishing Agreement made between Charles Brandling, Esquire, and other Persons, Proprietors of Lands, for laying down a Waggon-Way in order for the better supplying the Town and Neighbourhood of Leeds in the County of York, with Coals.
The Middleton Railway, the first railway to be granted powers by Act of Parliament, carried coal cheaply from the Middleton
Cheap Middleton coal gradually enabled Leeds to become a centre of the many developing industries which used coal as a source of heat, e.g. for pottery, brick and glass making, metal working, and brewing, or as a source of power for mill and factory engines.
Introduction of steam
In 1812 the Middleton Railway became the first commercial railway to use
In 1812, Salamanca was the first commercial steam locomotive to operate successfully. Three other locomotives were built for the Middleton colliery, and the railway was locomotive-operated for more than twenty years. A number of other firsts can be claimed by the railway. Being the first line to use steam locomotives regularly on freight trains it was naturally the first line to employ a train driver. The world's first regular, professional train driver was a former pit surface labourer named James Hewitt who had been trained by Fenton, Murray & Wood's test driver.[5] The first member of the public to be killed by a locomotive was almost certainly a 13-year-old boy named John Bruce killed in February 1813 whilst running alongside the tracks. The Leeds Mercury reported that this would "operate as a warning to others".
Though it was considered a marvel at the time, a child who witnessed it was less impressed. The child, David Joy, became a successful engineer.
Living in Hunslet Lane, on the London Road, the old coal railway from the Middleton Pits into Leeds, ran behind our house a few fields off, and we used to see the steam from the engines rise above the trees. Once I remember going with my nurse, who held my hand (I had to stretch it up to hers, I was so little) while we stood to watch the engine with its train of coal-wagons pass. We were told it would come up like a flash of lightning, but it only came lumbering on like a cart.[6]
Boiler explosions and horse haulage
Salamanca's boiler exploded on 28 February 1818, killing the driver, as the explosion "carried, with great violence, into an adjoining field the distance of one hundred yards."[7] This was the result of the driver tampering with the safety valves. Another boiler explosion occurred on 12 February 1834, again killing the driver. This time the most likely cause was a badly worn boiler, kept going by in-house repairs which were no longer expertly carried out after Blenkinsop's death. The driver killed on this occasion was James Hewitt, the world's first regular locomotive driver.
The Blenkinsop engines remained at work for thirty years: when John Urpeth Rastrick and James Walker visited the line on the behalf of the Directors of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in January 1829 noted they were still at work, one of them being recorded as pulling a load of thirty load coal wagons, weighing 140 tons. At least two were working until 1835.
Horse haulage returned and steam was abandoned apart from about a 1-mile (1.6 km) section near the main pit, which for some time was chain-worked by a stationary steam engine.
Return of steam
Steam was reintroduced in 1866 with tank engines from local firm
Preservation
In June 1960, the Middleton Railway became the first standard-gauge railway to be taken over and operated by unpaid volunteers. Passenger services were initially operated for only one week, using an ex Swansea and Mumbles Railway double deck tram (the largest in Britain seating 106 passengers), hauled by a 1931 diesel locomotive hired from the nearby Hunslet Engine Company. However, the volunteers of the Middleton Railway subsequently operated a freight service from September 1960 until 1983.
Regular operation of passenger services began in 1969.
The Middleton Steam Railway is home to a representative selection of locomotives built in the Jack Lane,
Route and stations
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Although the operational line starts at
Located few yards from Moor Road level crossing is the line's main terminus,
Departing
After the Dartmouth Branch, the line begins to enter
Located close to the site of Broom Pit colliery and on the edge of Middleton Park,
A proposed extension of the railway into Middleton Park has been discussed for many years and it has long been the ambition of the railway to run further in to Middleton Park. Plans have existed for some time to extend the railway to the centre of the park, however this would require significant earthworks and funding.
Route gallery
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NER 1310 at the northerly most point during a gala in July 2017. A passing "northern" 158 is on the main line
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Section of the Balm Road Branch looking towardsMoor Road stationfrom the Beza Road crossing.
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Moor Road stationis located on the left.
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Platform atMoor Road.
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From Moor Road station to the tunnel.
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Middleton Railway main line just prior to the tunnel, looking back towardsMoor Road station.
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M621 tunnel north end.
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Platform at Park Halt.
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End of the line. Run round loop for Park Halt can be seen in the distance.
Motive power
Steam locomotives
Number / Name | Design | Manufacturer | Notes | Image |
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Operational | ||||
2387 Brookes No.1 | ST
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Hunslet Engine Company | During preservation it wore a Boiler ticket expires 2027. Main operational loco alongside ‘No6’ and ‘Sir Berkeley’.
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3860 No. 6 | ST
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Hawthorn Leslie and Company
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Worked for Portland cement at Swansombe in Kent. It was named ‘Percy’ by the ‘Rev W Awdry’ due to the likeness with a character in his book series. However, this name is no longer carried due to licensing issues and expenses. Middleton Railway retain its nameplates however these are not on display.
Operational. Returned to service in September 2021. Boiler ticket expires 2031. Main operational loco alongside ‘Brookes No1’ and ‘Sir Berkeley’.
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1210 Sir Berkeley | L Class ST
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Manning Wardle | Boiler ticket expires in 2033. On long term/permanent loan from the Vintage Carriages Trust. It returned to service in 2023 after an overhaul the Middleton Railway did on contract with the Vintage Carriages Trust . When not visiting other heritage railways it will be part of the main running fleet alongside ‘Brookes No1’ and ‘No6’.
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LNER No. 54 / BR No. 68153 / Departmental No. 57 | VBT
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Sentinel Waggon Works | Returned to service in 2021. Boiler ticket expires 2029. As of 2022 significant work is still required until it can be used regularly and on passenger services as several issues were found during testing.It is unknown when this work will take place due to limited workshop space. Until the work is completed it remains a static display in the museum.
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Undergoing overhaul/restoration | ||||
1544 Slough Estates No. 3 | ST
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Hudswell Clarke | Built in 1924. Arrived from the Boiler ticket expired on 18 April 2021. Its overhaul commenced in 2022. It is currently disassembled with work being done on its boiler and other parts. It is hoped that it will return to service in 2024 although no date has been confirmed yet as the scale of work required is still unknown. The overhaul is being done by Middleton Railway in financial partnership with the Slough & Windsor Railway Society.
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1493 No. 11 | ST
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Hunslet Engine Company | Undergoing restoration. Owned by a member of the Middleton Railway Trust. Moved to Middleton Railway in 2000 where it has been being overhauled for over 20 years. Seen as a long-term project to be completed in the near future when time and money becomes available, likely after the completion of Sir Berkeley. | |
Static display | ||||
1310 | T
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Gateshead Railway Works
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Returned to traffic in October 2011. It was withdrawn following the expiration of its boiler ticket extension on 23 July 2023 and placed on display in the Engine House museum awaiting overhaul.
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385 | Chemnitz WT
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Richard Hartmann | Previously owned by the Danish State Railways (DSB). Steamed until 1999. Displayed in the Engine House museum.
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1309 Henry De Lacy II | ST
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Hudswell Clarke | Cosmetically restored and displayed in the Engine House museum with access to the cab. | |
1369 M.S.C. No.67 | T
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Hudswell Clarke | Boiler ticket expired on 1 January 2012; now displayed in the Engine House museum | |
1601 Matthew Murray | L Class ST
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Manning Wardle | Returned to service in June 2010. Boiler ticket expired in 2021. It is hoped to restore it to working order however it requires costly work including a new cylinder block.
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1882 Mirvale | ST
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Hudswell Clarke | Displayed in the Engine House Museum with access to the cab. | |
526 Hawarden | ST
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Hudswell Clarke | Built in 1899. Acquired from Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum in 2024. [12] | |
5469 Conway | ST
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Kitson and Company | ex Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway. It was sent to Locomotion, Shildon for a cosmetic restoration for display in the Middleton Railway museum. The cosmetic restoration was partly completed with the chassis and tank being painted and having minor metal work repairs. It returned from Locomotion Shildon during 2022 in a part cosmetic restored state. Middleton Railway plan to complete the cosmetic restoration themselves when time and money is available to do so. Currently on display in the Engine House awaiting the completion of its cosmetic restoration. | |
Stored | ||||
1540 Picton | T
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Hunslet Engine Company | Originally worked on a sugar cane railway in Trinidad. Transported back to England to await conservation. Upon arrival its tanks and various other parts were removed as they were found to be majorly corroded and unsafe. In 2016, a special shelter was constructed in the car park at Moor Road to protect it. During 2020 it was painted black to help reduce corrosion and make it look cosmetically better. It is hoped to fully cosmetically restore it to original condition when time and money is available, likely after the cosmetic restoration of Conway. | |
1684 | T
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Hunslet Engine Company | Finished its working life at Kilmersdon Colliery in Somerset. Currently stored undercover at Middleton Railway. Major work required to restore it as it has not run in preservation. It is in very poor condition with high levels of corrosion. It is hoped to one day restore it but other overhauls are taking priority and it is deemed too costly at the moment.
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2003 John Blenkinsop | ST
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Peckett and Sons | Stored awaiting overhaul. Currently at the Ribble Steam Railway where it received a minor cosmetic restoration. It is on display in the Ribble Steam Railway museum where it is expected to stay due to the lack of space to store it undercover at Middleton Railway. It is hoped to one day return it to Middleton Railway for full restoration to operational condition but this is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future due to time, money and resources needed and other restoration taking a higher priority. | |
References:[13][14][15] |
Diesel and electric locomotives
Number / Name | Design | Manufacturer | Notes | Image |
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Operational | ||||
45 | 0-6-0DM | Hudswell Clarke | Arrived in September 2017 from the East Somerset Railway. It is the main operational diesel on the line and is used regularly on the lines Saturday diesel trains. It is also often used as a standby diesel if a fellow steam or diesel locomotive fails. | |
D577 Mary | 0-4-0DM | Hudswell Clarke | Built in 1932. On display in the museum and sees occasional use mainly on special events days. | |
D631 Carroll | 0-4-0DM | Hudswell Clarke | Built in 1946. On display in the museum and sees occasional use mainly on special events days. | |
1697 John Alcock | LMS diesel shunter 7051 0-6-0DM | Hunslet Engine Company | The Middleton Railways Trust's first locomotive. On display in the museum and sees occasional use mainly on special events days. | |
1786 Courage | 0-4-0DM | Hunslet Engine Company | Named after the brewery where it worked. Also known as Sweet Pea. Can only operate in conjunction with another loco due to lack of vacuum brakes and as such is used rarely on passenger services. Mainly sees use during special events. | |
5003 Austins No. 1 | 0-4-0DM | Peckett and Sons | Built in 1961. Acquired in 2001. Used regularly on the Saturday diesel service. | |
D2999 Alf | British Rail Class D2/11 0-4-0DE | Beyer Peacock
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In traffic 2015. Used regularly on the Saturday diesel service. | |
4220033 Harry | 0-4-0DM | John Fowler & Co. | Returned to traffic 2016. During 2019 it was vandalised and received major damage to the cab, controls and windows. Restoration work was completed and it returned to service in late 2022. Used regularly on the Saturday diesel service. | |
Non-Operational | ||||
6981 | 0-4-0DM | Hunslet Engine Company | Currently undergoing restoration with a full engine restoration, cosmetic work and addition of vacuum brakes
. All required before it can begin passenger use. Acquired 2011 by a member of the railway and sold directly to the railway shortly after. It arrived in excellent condition however a full restoration is being completed to ensure it is a regular and reliable loco into the future. Its restoration is expected to be completed in 2023–2024. |
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420452 | Coke Oven locomotive | Greenwood and Batley
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Electric locomotive. Built 1979. Currently stored undercover but not on public display due to the lack of space. It is hoped that it can be cosmetically restored and displayed at another railway or museum but there is currently no plan. | |
DB998901 Olive | Overhead Line Inspection Vehicle | Drewry Car Co. | Built 1950. Used by British Railways' Eastern Region and British Rail Research Division. Acquired 1997.
It was subject to an arson attack at Moor Road in 2016. It received major bodywork repairs and a body rebuild at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway . It returned to Middleton once work was completed. It is currently awaiting funding and resources to become available to restore the interior and fix several major mechanical issues. It is unknown when this will return to service as little work has been completed on it since 2017.
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3900002 | 0-4-0DM | John Fowler & Co. | On static display in the Engine House. Engine doors removed and engine labelled to show visitors different parts of the engine and how it works. | |
References:[13][14][15] |
Trams
Following the closure of the
Number / Name | Design | Manufacturer | Notes | Image |
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Scrapped | ||||
No. 2 | Double Deck Tram seating 106 passengers | Brush Electrical Company | Built c. 1929 |
Rolling stock
Number / Name | Design | Manufacturer | Notes | Image |
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Passenger Stock | ||||
1867 | PMV Standard Brake
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Southern Railway | Converted from ex SR PMV Van. Fitted with heating. | |
2084 | PMV Standard Trailer
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Southern Railway | Converted from ex SR PMV Van. Fitted with heating. | |
1074 | PMV Standard Brake
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Southern Railway | Converted from ex SR PMV Van. Fitted with heating and designed for easier wheelchair access. | |
860E | Brake Van | Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon works | Build to a North Eastern Railway Design. Capacity of 10 people. Often used at gala weekends and in Santa Special trains.
Fitted with vacuum brakes. |
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158760 | LMS Brake Van | LMS (Derby) | Full restoration completed including renewal of all woodwork. Restored to how it was when it moved to the railway. It is rarely used due to its large weight. It is currently on display in the museum with access inside. | |
References:[13][14][15] |
References
Notes
- ISBN 978-0-09-193313-5.
- ^ History of the Middleton Railway Leeds Eighth Edition (2004), p.6.
- ^ A history of the Middleton Railway Leeds Eighth edition 2004 p10
- ^ Dawson, Anthony (17 June 2020). Before Rocket: The Steam Locomotive up to 1829. Gresley.
- ISBN 0-9516205-5-X
- ^ "Diaries of the Late David Joy; edited G.A. Sekon.. Railway Magazine 1908 Volumes 22 & 23". Steamindex.com. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ Leeds Mercury 7 March 1818
- ^ "page about Claytons". Leedsengine.info. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9558264-5-0
- ISBN 978-0-85054-710-8
- ^ "Slough & Windsor Railway Society – Home". Swrs.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ "Leeds-built Hawarden goes 'home' to Middleton Railway". Steam Railway. No. 555. 29 February 2024. p. 30.
- ^ a b c Middleton Railway website - stocklist Archived 16 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Middleton Railway Stocklist (available from the railway's shop
- ^ ISBN 978-1-901556-53-7.
- ^ Leeds Transport, Volume Four, by Jim Soper
Bibliography
- A History of the Middleton Railway Leeds Sixth Edition, Middleton Railway Trust Limited, 1990
- A History of the Middleton Railway, Eighth Edition, Middleton Railway Trust, ISBN 0-9516205-5-X, 2004
- From Rag to Railway, Middleton Railway Trust, ISBN 978-0-9558264-5-0
- Middleton Railway stocklist, Middleton Railway Trust, available from the railway's shop
- Roe, Martin. Coal Mining in Middleton Park. Meerstone. ISBN 978-0-9559477-0-4.
- Ransom, P. J. G. (1990), The Victorian Railway and How It Evolved, Heinemann:London
External links
- The Middleton Railway — the railway's official website
- Friends of Middleton Park
- "The Collier" (Middleton Railway Scene 1814 or earlier)
- Map sources for Middleton Railway