200 Years of Steam Gala - Middleton Railway

This year, on June 24th the Middleton Railway will be celebrating an important anniversary. On that day 200 years ago, the first commercially successful steam locomotives, designed and built by John Blenkinsop and Matthew Murray started work hauling coal from the colliery into Leeds. Since then, steam locomotives have played an important part in the history of the Middleton Railway.

To celebrate this important anniversary the Middleton Railway is pleased to announce two further visiting locomotives for its “200 Years of Steam Gala” on the 23rd and 24th June, making it the biggest event in the railways history. To accompany the already announced visit of Steam Elephant from Beamish, the railway has secured the oldest working standard gauge locomotive to run on the world’s oldest working steam railway. Furness No.20, built in 1863 by Sharp Stewart & Co will be the first tender locomotive to visit the railway in preservation, and will join the railways fleet of home based engines running an intensive service of passenger and freight trains. The organisers are also pleased to announce that the Vintage Carriage Trusts locomotive Bellerophon will also be visiting the event. This locomotive built in 1874 will allow the Middleton Railway to operate 5 locomotives over one hundred years old, along with a replica locomotive, celebrating a design of nearly 200 years of age.

Other locomotives in traffic will include all the available home fleet, featuring the first gala appearance of the NER H Class 1310, along with our two resident Manning Wardles, Matthew Murray and Sir Berkeley.

Our Engine House museum will also be filled with steam, with three amazing live steam layouts in operation. We hope that 200 live steam model locomotives will be run over the weekend to celebrate the 200 years since steam operation began.

As is normal with our galas, we plan to have a display of traction engines and other steam vehicles on display in our carpark along with other related transport stands and displays.

For those who like ale, the Leeds Brewery Company will be providing refreshments on site. Look out for our own special beer "Middleton Pioneer".

For more information and latest news, see the events website at: www.middleton2012.com

Please feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions.

Hope to see you there.

Andy Hardy
Traffic Manager
Middleton Railway

 

Looks like an interesting event, will make a note in diary for this event and hopefully work will give me the weekend off.

Middleton Railway

 

Looks like an interesting event, will make a note in my diary and hope that work gives me the weekend off.

Middleton Railway

 

Just been told the link to the website didnt work. All fixed now so take a look!

Andy

 

May I add, what would people like to see running with what i.e Bellerophon and Sir Berekley. Any suggestions?

 

Bell with everything else dead on the back? ... Can't blame me for trying!

 

A very victorian railways theme. Have to book some time off and make it a long weekend me thinks.

Duncan

 

Might have to go to this one, sounds far more interesting than the average gala!

 

Time for another update!

We are pleased to confirm that our latest arrival Slough Estates No.3 will be operating at our 200 Years of Steam Gala. This will be the first gala appearence of this locomotive on our line. It will also be the most "modern" design of locomotive in operation at the event. Not bad for something that is 88 years old.

Keep an eye on the website for more exciting news.

Cheers

Andy

 

This gala looks like one of the 'must do's' for 2012.

 

We certainly hope that this event will be one of, if not the best event the railway has held. We really want to offer something a little different for this special anniversary. There is more to be announced in the coming weeks.

We may only be a little railway but we have a BIG history, that I think most people dont realise.

On such theme, anyone care to tell me who the first known person to be killed by a Steam Locomotive was? No cheating from Middleton Members or google usage!

Andy

 

I always thought it was William Huskisson, MP at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Rly, but I think I am about to learn differently?

 

Well if this was QI there would be some rather loud sirens and flashing going on! I myself until my involvment with Middleton had also thought the same, having been told it at school! Even Mr Portillo in his TV programs tells us this.

However, the The Leeds Mercury for the 6th February 1813, a whopping 199 years ago says:

"Last Friday, a boy about 13 years of age, of the name of John Bruce, who, notwithstanding repeated cautions to the contrary, persisted in running on the iron-rail-way, between Hunslet and this place, was so dreadfully bruised by the steam-impelled machine passing over him, that it was found necessary on his removal to the Infirmary to amputate one of his arms, and one of his legs, and after languishing till Monday, he expired. This catastrophe, we trust, will operate as a warning to others. "

A quick web search shows the 6th Feb 1812 was a Thursday, meaning the previous Friday was the 31st Jan 1813.

All interesting stuff!

Andy

 

Andy,
What was the name and number of the loco?Could form the basis for a game of bingo in December......

 

Presumably there weren't any ambulance chasing lawyers around in 1813, or bleeding heart judges either, so you were expected to look out for yourself in those days. Otherwise, the Middleton Railway would probably have been bankrupted by a compensation claim.

 

Indeed you did have to look after yourself. Unfortunatly this wasnt the only death on the Middleton. Several members of the public were hit by trains, both steam hauled and ropre hauled. A few drivers sustained injuries early on, and one killed himself after weighting down the safety valves.

Anyway on a different, more plesent note, we have updated the website ith another project that is happening for 2012.

No parts of the original locomotives survive, so we thought that his year we would cast a replica full size Blenkinsop rack wheel for display inside our Engine House Museum.

To see our progress, go to our 2012 website and click on "Blenkinsop Rack Wheel Project" in the 2012 Event menu bar.

Many thanks

Andy Hardy

 

Great idea for the 200th.

Looks like a fantastic gala and very much hope to be there.

Duncan

 

Hi guys,

Time for another update, this time confirmation of ticket prices etc:

In Advance:
Adults £10
Children £2

On the day:
Adults £12
Children £4

Advance tickets can be purchased from our Moor Road headquarters at weekends, or via over the phone on 0845 6801758, available from the 1st April.

Tickets give unlimited travel on trains, including brakevan rides on the Balm Road branch.

No platform tickets, concessions nor HRA members card travel available over this weekend.

Many thanks

Andy

 

Time for another update.

Im pleased to announce that the Friends of Middleton Park and the Park Rangers have agreed to organise guided tours of Middleton Park, adjacent to our Park Halt terminus. Tours will meet selected trains on each day and will take in the hidden treasures of Middleton Park, including the remains of the early "bell pit" mines.

Times and details to be confirmed once the timetable is finalised.

Watch out for more exciting news in the next few weeks.

Andy Hardy

 

Well time for another update:

The organisers are pleased to announce the latest attraction at our 200 Years of Steam Gala; the opportunity to take control of "Steam Elephant" and experience what it would have been like to work and operate these early steam locomotives with our “Driver for a Fiver” courses.

For just £5 you can take control of the locomotive, under the direction of both Beamish and Middleton staff and move a period chaldron wagon around the Railway's Moor Road site. This is a unique opportunity that has never been offered before, and is unlikely to be offered again.

Tickets will be available on the day. Age restrictions and conditions will apply.

We are hoping this will be very popular, as it certainly is something different.

More updates to follow shortly.

Andy Hardy