Middleton Railway Manchester Ship Canal Gala, 18th-19th Sept 2010

I, for one, am really excited about this event. I have just relaised it is only about a month off and I had not heard much for a while. Maybe the organisers can fill us in, I heard ruhmours of another visiting loco to fill No70's place? Possibly even infernal combustion...perish the thought. Can anyone confirm?
I am looking forward to freight down the Balm Road branch again....I wonder what wagons they will turn out this time?
I will be there over the two days, lets hope for weather like last year!

John

 

Well guys its only a few weeks until the gala so its time for an update.

MSC.67 has had some minor work done and its front bufferbeam repainted and is looking rather splendid. We are currently working on the tank wagon repaint into Leeds Brewery colours. Whilst were on the subject its worth mentioning that the railway will have its own named Beer in September, courtesy of the Leeds Brewery Co who will have a beet tent at the gala. For every pint of "Middleton Pioneer" sold the railway will recieve a donation of 10p. It is hoped the wagon will be featured in this years gala freight train. Also in the workshops near to completion is our LMS boxvan. This will be viewable on the workshop tours, or if complete may be outside in the yard. Hopefully some photos of the tank wagon will appear on here tomorrow.

Negotiations are still taking place for a second visitor. Information will be posted on here and our website as soon as it becomes available.

Timetables are currently being written. Each day will see an intensive timetable with both passenger and freight workings.

For thoose who enjoy charters, places are still available so please get in touch if you want to secure a place.



Take a look at our website for full details: www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com

Many thanks

Andy Hardy

 

The Middleton Railway is pleased to announce its second visiting locomotive (subject to final negotiation and confirmation) for its Manchester Ship Canal gala.

MSC No.4002 "Arundel Castle" will be visiting from the ELR to join resident locomotive MSC 67 and guest MSC 32. This large Hudswell, Clarke and Co. diesel was built in Leeds for the MSC in 1959 along with its sister loco 4001. These unique machines spent their entire life on the MSC system before 4002 was preserved at the East Lancs Railway. Since preservation it has only worked a small number of passenger trains so this visit will be a rare opportunity to ride behind this locomotive. No.4002 has recently undergone some repair work and has been turned out in original MSC livery, for the first time in preservation. This will be one of the largest locomotives to work over the Middleton Railway during the preservation era and will provide a nice contrast to the other locomotives working over the gala weekend.



For further event details and the latest news please see the galas website at www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com

Andy Hardy
Traffic Manager
Middleton Railway
Leeds

 

Brilliant! I won't mind so much having to drive 400 odd miles each way to take my son to university, if I can disappear down to Middleton for a few hours!

 

I can say that 4002 has had some work done to it in recent months one job has be modifications to the exhust system this has resulted in the loco being VERY loud il even put my head out and say it would give 37906 a run for its money sound wise!!!

 

Is 4002 the shunter that used to stand many years ago on static display outside Winfields at Haslingden?
John

 

Almost, the loco outside Winfields is 4001 "Arundel Castle" the sister loco to 4002. They were the only two of the type built, and are both owned by the same person. 4001 I understand has been stripped to keep 4002 running. They are both great looking machines, and I can vouch for Matts comments, its loud.

In other goings on...

The Leeds Brewery liveried tank wagon is coming along well and will be on display at the gala weekend.
Leeds Model Engineers are brining a portable track to run in our carpark. Other attractions here include the beer tent and hog roast. 3 steam road engines are confirmed, a Wallis and Stevens roller, and a pair of undertype steam lorrys. Possibly one or two more to add in the coming week.

The MSC photo display is being prepared as I write this. Almost 150 photos will be on display, many of which havn't been published.

Timetable writing is in hand, with just a few bits to iron out. More details when its complete.

Dont forget the Friday evening talk (19.30) on the MSCR with Don Thorpe.

More news to follow in next few days.

Andy Hardy

 

I have just been checking out the website and see there is a tank wagon mentioned....is that something to do with sponsership for this event? Will it be running? With just over a week to go I am checking the website loads to see what else is announced...they keep surprising me! When will the working timetable be out?

John

 

Hi all,

All being well the tank wagon will be running in the freight train. Sign writing needs finishing and a vac pipe fitting. Its new livery is part of the sponsorship with Leeds Brewery.

4002 has done some test runs at the ELR. If you want to see a taster of this loco, take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRKrS5n46Ao

Timetables are still being worked on, as soon as some operational issues are ironed out and everything checked you guys will be the first to know!

Many thanks,

Andy H

 

There is also to be an excellent display of MSC photographs - some unpublished, maps and loco drawings in the Engine House.

Don't forget the beer tent, hog roast, ice cream van, miniature train rides, traction engines and vintage cars in the car park either - our biggest gala yet in fact!

 

Following test runs 4002 has had a few minor faults rectified a few more hours in the morning and she will be ready to go. 32 has had its 14monthly boiler exam compleated, Its been cleaned ready for its outings to, I carnt wait for 32 and 67 paired up. There has been a lot of time spent not just on preperation of locos but also getting the whole event as a whole organised.
Untill around the start of April 4002 hadent turned a wheel in nearly 3 years and there has been 1 or 2 set backs getting the loco going again, if it hadent been for this gala it would have still been sat with the other demic locos. I would like to thank all my team of volenteers who have got stuck in to get 4002 running again and making her look lovely again.

 

A free timetable and roster will be available on the event website in the first half of next week http://www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com/

Did I mention our new book too? http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk/index.htm

 

I must also add my congratulations to Matt and is team. They really have pulled out the stops to get 4002 running again for the first time in several years. On top of that they have also returned the loco to its original guise, and splendid it looks too! Not only does it look good, but it sounds superb aswell.

There are still some places left on the photo charter days. We will be pulling out all the stops to make it a good one, with all MSC locos available. Everyone welcome, contact myself or Sidmouth for more details.

More updates to follow later on.

Andy Hardy
Traffic Manager

 

Evening all,

Only a week to go until the gala. Tank wagon is pretty much complete for its debut on the photo charters and gala days.

Timetable it now available on the event website.

www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com

More updates to follow.

See you there.

Andy

 

I forgot to mention, the 17.10 exparture from Moor Road to Park Halt will also traverse the Dartmouth Branch.

More soon.

Andy

 

Another quick update:

As we will have a large amount of items on display during the event, the railways car par at Moor Road will be closed during the event. Tulip Industrial Estate have given us permission to use their capark over the weekend. This is less than two minutes walk from the railway. Other on street parking is available localy. Disabled parking is still available onsite.

 

The preparations are now really hotting up for this event and it's now less than a week away. The full details are on http://www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com/ but this is a particular reminder about the photo charters on Thursday and Friday (spaces still available) and also the trains and talk on Friday evening http://www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com/#/friday-night-talk/4540197718 (Leeds Brewery beer tent open on Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday). The timetable and loco roster are available at http://www.msc-gala.moonfruit.com/#/times-and-fares/4540154322 and the visitors are expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday this week.

Future galas (and visiting locos!) depend on the success of next weekends event and your support will be very welcome at a very friendly railway. If you were just thinking about coming please do so, if you are still undecided then take a look at this youtube and fotopic footage of what will be the Railway's biggest visitor yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTuQBUBJKVY
http://www.traintv.fotopic.net/p66840078.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRKrS5n46Ao

The other visitor is MSC 32 'Gotheburg' http://www.chris.mysnaps.org.uk/p63455717.html

Please pass on the word if you can, we really look forward to seeing as many people as possible enjoy a great event!

Thanks

Ian

 

Evening all,

The Leeds Brewery wagon is now complete and was taken for a short run tonight behind resident "Matthew Murray". This vehicle will be added to the gala weekends freight train.





Charter places are still available.

Visiting locomotives will be arriving tomorrow, more updates to follow.

Andy H

 

That should keep the beer festival tent supplied for a couple of hours Andy

John

 

Another day another update. Both visitors have now arrived at Moor Road. No.4002 arrived first followed by No.32. Been a busy afternoon. Didnt get a chance to snap any photos of No.32, but heres one of No.4002 on the back of the low loader shorlty after arrival.



Andy Hardy