Middleton Railway

Middleton Railway Trust Ltd
The Station
Moor Road
Hunslet
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS10 2JQ
England

Website

Official website

www.middletonrailway.org.uk

E-mail

All Enquiries

info@middletonrailway.org.uk

Telephone

Visitor hotline 10am to 8pm

0845 680 1758

Commercial enquiries line

0113 271 0320

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Steam locomotive awaits its next task outside the Engine House
baby changing facilities icon Food icon Guided tours icon Shop icon Hearing disability facilities icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

Having been established by an Act of Parliament in 1758, the Middleton Railway, Leeds, can claim to be the oldest working Railway in the world. It also played host to the first commercially successful, revenue earning, steam locomotives which entered service there in 1812. The Middleton Railway Trust in Leeds has formidable claims to fame. It is the direct descendant of a waggonway which was constructed between Middleton and Casson Close, near Leeds Bridge, following authorisation by the first Railway legislation and Act of Parliament in 1758. In 1812 the first commercially successful steam locomotives commenced operation on the Middleton Railway. Included in the design was the Blenkinsop rack and pinion drive. This was the first regular revenue-earning use of steam traction, as distinct from experimental operation, in the world. More recently it became the first standard gauge railway to be taken over by a preservation society in 1960. A detailed history can be found in the book, "A History of the Middleton Railway" which can be obtained from the Railway's shop. The Trust is now an Accredited Museum and registered charity and has acquired a selection of industrial locomotives, known as the Leeds Collection these locomotives having been built in Leeds, and stock in keeping with its long history of service. The railway currently operates passenger services over approximately 1 mile of track between its headquarters at Moor Road, Hunslet, Leeds and Park Halt, which is on the outskirts of Middleton Park. The Railway hopes to extend the line so that it terminates near the park amenities and discussions are ongoing with Leeds City Council to work towards that aim. Further information about the park can be found on Leeds City Council's Middleton Park web page.
The railway is operated entirely by volunteers.

Venue Type:

Museum, Transport heritage site

Opening hours

April-November -Santa Trains December
Sat Trains 13:00 until 16:20 (Open 10:30)
Sun & Bank Hol. Mons Trains 11:00-16:20 (Open 10:30)
August Weds Trains 11:00 - 15:00 (Open 10:30)
December Santa Trains

3rd January- 2nd April 2011
The railway is closed for winter maintenance.

Admission charges

Adults £4.50
Children £2.50
Family Ticket £12.00 (2A + 3C)
Special Events may vary.

General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • Guided tours
  • Information point provided
  • Pre-booking service for groups
  • Dogs welcome
  • Picnic area
  • Refreshments
  • Shop
  • Toilets
Children and families
  • Events and resources for children and families
  • Baby changing facilities
Disability access
  • Induction loops in lecture theatres
  • Touch exhibits
  • Parking for disabled available
  • Toilets for disabled
  • Wheelchair access to all public areas
  • Wheelchairs available for loan
Schools services and facilities
  • Member of staff available with responsibility for education
  • Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
Research and adult learning
  • Mail order service available
Commercial and hire services
  • Facilities for private functions and events
  • Meeting room available

Additional info

Train rides are available on all public opening days using heritage steam and/or diesel locomotives

Middleton Railway Trust Ltd
The Station
Moor Road
Hunslet
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS10 2JQ
England

Website

Official website

www.middletonrailway.org.uk

E-mail

All Enquiries

info@middletonrailway.org.uk

Telephone

Visitor hotline 10am to 8pm

0845 680 1758

Commercial enquiries line

0113 271 0320

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Includes standard gauge industrial railway locomotives and some narrow gauge. The core collection is of Leeds built locomotives, although other cities and indeed countries are represented. Some are on display in the Engine House, some working, and some in non-public places. Viewing in the non-public places can be arrabged by appointment.

Collection details

Land Transport, Industry

Key artists and exhibits

  • Hudswell Clarke & Co, Leeds
  • Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds
  • Manning Wardle, Leeds
  • Kitson & Company, Leeds
  • John Fowler & Co. Ltd, Leeds
  • Greenwood & Batley, Leeds
  • Beyer-Peacock, Gorton
  • Drewry Car Company
  • Cockerill's of Seraing, Liege, Belgium
  • Sentinel Ltd, Shrewsbury
  • North Eastern Railway, Gateshead
  • W.G.Bagnall
  • Richard Hartmann of Chemnitz
  • Peckett and Sons, Bristol

Collections services

  • General guide to collections available

Middleton Railway Trust Ltd
The Station
Moor Road
Hunslet
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS10 2JQ
England

Website

Official website

www.middletonrailway.org.uk

E-mail

All Enquiries

info@middletonrailway.org.uk

Telephone

Visitor hotline 10am to 8pm

0845 680 1758

Commercial enquiries line

0113 271 0320

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
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