Middleton Railway 50th Anniversary Gala

Just notices that no one has posted this gala on at the Middleton Railway, Leeds next weekend - Sat 19th June & Sun 20th June;
I have been for the last couple of years and always found it to be very good at this friendly line.

Hope to make it again - click on link below for more details

(http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk/index.htm

John
Ps - any chance of posting somesort of Timetable

 

Hi guys,

Yep its our 50th event next weekend. Timetable is just being checked after some ammendments, so will post some times as soon as they are confirmed. Trains will run 10.00 until 16.20 with regular departures to Park Halt and Balm Road. Trains to Park Halt will be propelled with passengers riding in the breakvan or an open wagon, as per some of the first passenger trains run at the railway. All the lines steam locos in operation both days, along with the lines first locomotive, "John Allcock" with a selection of diesels changing over the two days.

I will be at the Moor Road groundframe both days, do say hello if you plan on coming.

Thanks

Andy

 

I think were all going to be there. I think im going to be there for four days. Should be fun riding in the open wagon

 

I have just discovered this great little line in my area, often overlooked by people heading to KWVR or the Moors. I plan to be there this weekend and for the MSC gala later this year. Let's hope the weather is good otherwise Sir B's crew will get wet!

 

Well, 67 had a steam test today and all is OK so all three serviceable steam locos (67, Sir Berkeley & Matthew Murray) will be in service, along with the LMS diesel No.7051, which was the loco that started off the Middleton Railway 50 years ago. First trains start at 10.00 and this weekend, only, you will have the chance of riding in an open wagon/brake van, just like we did in those very early days!

 

Its one gala I really would of hoped to be down for (particually being a Leeds Uni student)

Sounds like it will be a great weekend and hope it goes well

Regards
Duncan

 

Sorry for the last minute notification but we’ve been busy preparing...

This weekend sees the Middleton Railway, Leeds, holding a gala to celebrate 50 (fifty) years of volunteer operation. It will be a treat for fans of rare track or indeed unusual operation. We will be operating trains over the rarely used Balm Road branch – the connection to Network Rail - using our two regular passenger coaches.

The passenger service to Middleton Park Halt will be a throwback to the 1960s and 1970s by using an open wagon and brake van propelled by the locomotive, which many visitors have fond memories of using. This is for one weekend only, so don’t miss out! The weather forecast is, so far, good – so no brollies required!

Departures from Moor Road will operate, subject to the usual disclaimers, to the following timetable but please note that locomotives may be changed at Balm Road so if you are after a particular engine please bear that in mind.

For details of the locomotives concerned and directions to the Railway etc please see http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk/

Time Direction Stock Locomotive
10.00 Park Halt 60's train Matthew Murray
10.10 Balm Road Coaches D2999 (SAT)/138C (SUN) + LMS 7051
10.40 Park Halt 60's train MSC 67
10.50 Balm Road Coaches Matthew Murray
11.20 Park Halt 60's train Sir Berkeley
11.30 Balm Road Coaches MSC 67
12.00 Park Halt 60's train LMS 7051
12.10 Balm Road Coaches Sir Berkeley
12.40 Park Halt 60's train D2999 (SAT)/138C (SUN)
12.50 Balm Road Coaches LMS 7051
13.20 Park Halt 60's train Matthew Murray
13.30 Balm Road Coaches D2999 (SAT)/138C (SUN)
14.00 Park Halt 60's train MSC 67
14.10 Balm Road Coaches Matthew Murray
14.40 Park Halt 60's train Sir Berkeley
14.50 Balm Road Coaches MSC 67
15.20 Park Halt 60's train LMS 7051
15.30 Balm Road Coaches Sir Berkeley
16.00 Park Halt 60's train D2999 (SAT)/138C (SUN)
16.10 Balm Road Coaches LMS 7051
16.40 Park Halt 60's train Matthew Murray

PS We have a new book out too - 'From Rag to Railway', a mainly colour photo album celebrating 50 years - only £8.50, bargain!

 

Just got back from a great day out here. 3 engines in steam + 2 shunters, minerals / guardsvan rides to Park halt & passenger trains down the Balm Rd side & running to the timetable above.
Unlimited rides all day all for £6-50 as well. Definately the best value gala I`ve been too this year and one of the better ones for interest as well!
Will be back in september for the Manchester ship canal engines gala as well !!


Well done

John

ps - collection of pictures started here with lots more to add - http://my.fotopic.net/collection/01862654/

 

Thanks for your support John, I was driving D2999 today and, with the rest of the ops team, booked on at 07:00 this morning and locked the gates at around 18:15. Great day, but we didn't have quite enough fun so we're going back for another day tomorrow!

PS the last train from Moor Road to Park Halt with 'Matthew Murray' did the Dartmouth branch on the way back - it might happen tomorrow too, no promises though...

 

Ian,

New to posting here but I dragged (he didn't need too much dragging) my 80 year old father there to celebrate father's day, it somewhat restricted the photo opportunities and the visit was short but you can rest assured I'll be back for the September gala for a full day.

Well organised and as previously mentioned at £6 far better value than some preserved lines. Nice to be pushed up hill instead of being pulled.

For what they are worth here are the photos of my couple of hours with you

http://www.pbase.com/amjones/middleton

I used to work at parkside industrial estate which you run past.....never got round to calling in before....very amiss of me!

Andy

 

Hi Andy,

Glad you enjoyed your visit and the gala. We had a fantastic time organising and running it. Myself and Ian were todays ops team so you probably saw both of us about. The September event is going to be a good one. If your interested, there are the two days of photocharters aswell preceeding the event. PM me if you want any more details.

Andy H
Traffic Manager
Middleton Railway, Leeds

 

Andy , going slightly off topic. Whilst I was at your event on saturday, I purchased the railways new limited publication - "From Rag to Railway" - 50 years of preservation on the Middleton railway. What an interesting read !!- It looks like the railway ran through a battlefield in the early days with the demolishing of the old pit, motorway building, landscaping and land clearances. Going down to Balm Road can look a little grim with abandoned sofas, mattresses and discarded rubbish thrown to the sides in places but thats nothing compared to how the railway has survived and grown through all that. Well done to all concerned with the railway!
John

 

Hi John,

Thanks for the comments re the book. When I get time I planned to open a thred and post a few other archive images for people to see how far we have come and to plug the book. It is amazing how much the railway has changed.

Roll on September!

Andy