Middleton Railway Diesel Gala - June 2009

As the original has been archived I'll start again and then update!

The Hunslet Homecoming

Class 05 D2578 is returning to Leeds, the City of its birth, for the first time in June 2009. It will be its first visit to a preserved line and its first public passenger trains. No visits to other preserved lines are in the pipeline so if you want to see, photograph or ride behind this Hunslet built shunter then don't miss this rare opportunity!

The loco will be visiting the historic Middleton Railway in Leeds for 4 days only. Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th June 2009. This, coincidentally, is also the ever-popular Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Diesel Gala and so West Yorkshire is the place to be in early June! On Thursday and Friday the locomotive will be available for photo charters and it is hoped to run evening passenger trains. On the Saturday and Sunday it will take part in the Middleton Railway's Diesel Gala where it will appear alongside LMS 7051 (built by Hunslet) and Hunslet 1786 - also known as 'Courage' or 'Sweet Pea'. This gala will feature the Balm Road branch with passenger and freight trains (the latter with passenger accommodation in the brake van) as well as an appearance by the popular RTC red and blue liveried Drewry Car RDB998901. We hope to operate some form of link with the KWVR Diesel Gala and there is the possibility of trains on the Sunday evening - 35 minute round trip on D2578 on your way home from Keighley perhaps?

To register your interest and receive update emails about the event, please email the Traffic Manager at trafficmanagerATmiddletonrailway.org.uk. Please send requests for photographic or other charters to the same address.

Update: February 2009

D2578 will operate evening services at the Middleton Railway on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th June 2009. Trains will run from Moor Road to Middleton Park Halt and return at 18:00, 18:40, 19:20 and 20:00. A flat 'evening rover' fare of £5 will apply and no platform tickets will be available for these evenings.

The loco is available for photo or private charter on the afternoons of Thursday and Friday. These charters could include the Balm Road branch (connection to Network Rail) if requested. We have an ever increasing collection of restored freight rolling stock which presents an excellent photographic opportunity. If you are interested in chartering the loco please contact the Traffic Manager (trafficmanagerATmiddletonrailway.org.uk)

On the Saturday and Sunday we will be operating an intensive timetable between 10:00 & 17:00 (no evening services). The timetable will feature passenger and freight workings on the Balm Road branch and limited numbers of passengers may be carried in the brake van on the freight. Fares for the Saturday and Sunday (all day rover) Adults £6, children £3, family £15. A supplement of £2 (adult) and £1 (child) will be payable for travelling in the brake van.

A full timetable and roster for the Saturday and Sunday will be available before the event at http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk. We anticipate operating at least D2578, LMS 7051, HE1786 ('Sweet Pea') and railbus RDB998901.

 

See Middleton wagons 09 on the rolling stock page for some very nice looking wagons to go with D2578 - photo charter anyone?

 

Hunslet 1786 Courage or Sweat Pea has now been repainted. this will look awesome at the diesel gala in june with D2578 and 7051(i think)

tim

 

Lovely photo of Sweat Pea. Please remember the Old Run needs up to date photos like this one!! Send them to the editor at hwb@ wimanx.net

Howard =P~