Middleton Railway
Encyclopedia
The Middleton Railway is the world's oldest continuously working railway. It was founded in 1758 and is now a heritage railway
run by volunteers from The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. since 1960.
The railway operates passenger services at weekends and on public holidays over approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) of track between its headquarters at Moor Road, Hunslet
, Leeds
, West Yorkshire
, England
and Park Halt
on the outskirts of Middleton Park
.
s, gin pits and later "day level" or adit
s. Anne Leigh, heiress to the Middleton Estates, married Ralph Brandling from Felling near Gateshead
on the River Tyne. They lived in Gosforth and left running of the Middleton pits to agents. Charles Brandling was their successor. In 1754, Richard Humble, from Tyneside, was his agent. Brandling was in competition with the Fentons in Rothwell who were able to transport coal into Leeds by river, putting the Middleton pits at considerable disadvantage. Humble's solution was to build waggonways
which were common in his native north east. The first waggonway in 1755 crossed Brandling land and that of friendly neighbours to riverside staithes.
In 1757 he began to build a waggonway towards Leeds, and to ensure its permanence Brandling sought ratification in an Act of Parliament
, (31 Geo.2, c.xxii, 9 June 1758) the first authorising the building of a railway.
The Middleton Railway, the first railway to be granted powers by Act of Parliament, carried coal cheaply from the Middleton pits to Casson Close, Leeds (near Meadow Lane, close to the River Aire). Not all the land belonged to Brandling, and the Act gave him power to obtain wayleave. Otherwise the line was privately financed and operated, initially as a waggonway using horse-drawn vehicles called corves. Around 1807 the wooden tracks began to be replaced with superior iron edge rails to a gauge of .
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In 1812 the Middleton Steam Railway became the first commercial railway to successfully use steam locomotive
s. John Blenkinsop
, the colliery's viewer, or manager, had decided that an engine light enough not to break the cast iron track would not have sufficient adhesion
, bearing in mind the heavy load of coal wagons and the steep track gradient. Accordingly he relaid the track on one side with a toothed rail
, which he patented in 1811 (the first rack railway
), and approached Matthew Murray
of Fenton, Murray and Wood, in Holbeck
, to design a locomotive with a pinion
which would mesh with it. Murray's design was based on Richard Trevithick
's Catch me who can
, adapted to use Blenkinsop's rack and pinion
system, and was called Salamanca. This 1812 locomotive was the first to use two cylinders. These drove the pinions through cranks
which were at right angles, so that the engine would start wherever it came to rest.
Though it was considered a marvel at the time, a child who witnessed it was less impressed. The child, David Joy
, became a successful engineer.
In 1812, Salamanca was the first commercial steam locomotive to operate successfully, and along with three other locomotives built for the Middleton colliery, remained in use for twenty years. In 1881 the railway was converted
to standard gauge
.
In June 1960, the Middleton Steam Railway became the first standard-gauge railway to be taken over and operated by unpaid volunteers. Passenger services were initially operated for only one week, using an ex Swansea and Mumbles Railway double deck tram (the largest in Britain seating 106 passengers). However, the volunteers of the Middleton Railway operated a freight service until 1983.
Regular operation of passenger services began in 1969.
The Middleton Steam Railway is home to a representative selection of locomotives built in the Jack Lane, Hunslet
area by the famous Leeds manufacturers of John Fowler & Co.
, Hudswell Clarke
, Hunslet Engine Company
, Kitson & Co.
and Manning Wardle
. The locomotives include "Sir Berkeley", which was featured in the 1968 BBC TV version of "The Railway Children
". The locomotive is owned by the Vintage Carriages Trust
of Ingrow
near Keighley
.
Located close to the site of an old colliery.
Located few metres nr Level crossing and road.
Proposed in hope of interchanging with the national network.
0-4-0ST No 1493. Undergoing restoration to operational condition, the frames have their wheels and are being painted before the motion goes on.
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
run by volunteers from The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. since 1960.
The railway operates passenger services at weekends and on public holidays over approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) of track between its headquarters at Moor Road, Hunslet
Hunslet
Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Park Halt
Park Halt railway station
- History :The halt is the current terminus of the railway. It is situated next to Middleton Park. The halt was constructed so passengers could alight to walk around the ex-colliery site of Middleton Park and allow for the run-round of trains.- Information :...
on the outskirts of Middleton Park
Middleton Park
Middleton Park is a public park in Middleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It covers an area of , nearly a square mile of which are ancient woodland. There is also a small lake, recreational areas and a golf course. The reclaimed site of "Middleton Broom" Colliery has been incorporated into the...
.
Origins
Coal has been worked in Middleton since the 13th century, from bell pitBell pit
A bell pit is a primitive method of mining coal, iron ore or other minerals where the coal or ore lies near the surface.. A shaft is sunk to reach the mineral which is excavated by miners transported to the surface by a winch and removed by means of a bucket, much like a well. It gets its name...
s, gin pits and later "day level" or adit
Adit
An adit is an entrance to an underground mine which is horizontal or nearly horizontal, by which the mine can be entered, drained of water, and ventilated.-Construction:...
s. Anne Leigh, heiress to the Middleton Estates, married Ralph Brandling from Felling near Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
on the River Tyne. They lived in Gosforth and left running of the Middleton pits to agents. Charles Brandling was their successor. In 1754, Richard Humble, from Tyneside, was his agent. Brandling was in competition with the Fentons in Rothwell who were able to transport coal into Leeds by river, putting the Middleton pits at considerable disadvantage. Humble's solution was to build waggonways
Wagonway
Wagonways consisted of the horses, equipment and tracks used for hauling wagons, which preceded steam powered railways. The terms "plateway", "tramway" and in someplaces, "dramway" are also found.- Early developments :...
which were common in his native north east. The first waggonway in 1755 crossed Brandling land and that of friendly neighbours to riverside staithes.
In 1757 he began to build a waggonway towards Leeds, and to ensure its permanence Brandling sought ratification in an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
, (31 Geo.2, c.xxii, 9 June 1758) the first authorising the building of a railway.
The Middleton Railway, the first railway to be granted powers by Act of Parliament, carried coal cheaply from the Middleton pits to Casson Close, Leeds (near Meadow Lane, close to the River Aire). Not all the land belonged to Brandling, and the Act gave him power to obtain wayleave. Otherwise the line was privately financed and operated, initially as a waggonway using horse-drawn vehicles called corves. Around 1807 the wooden tracks began to be replaced with superior iron edge rails to a gauge of .
Introduction of steam
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s. John Blenkinsop
John Blenkinsop
John Blenkinsop was an English mining engineer and an inventor of steam locomotives, who designed the first practical railway locomotive....
, the colliery's viewer, or manager, had decided that an engine light enough not to break the cast iron track would not have sufficient adhesion
Rail adhesion
The term adhesion railway or adhesion traction describes the most common type of railway, where power is applied by driving some or all of the wheels of the locomotive. Thus, it relies on the friction between a steel wheel and a steel rail. Note that steam locomotives of old were driven only by...
, bearing in mind the heavy load of coal wagons and the steep track gradient. Accordingly he relaid the track on one side with a toothed rail
Rack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
, which he patented in 1811 (the first rack railway
Rack railway
A rack-and-pinion railway is a railway with a toothed rack rail, usually between the running rails. The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail...
), and approached Matthew Murray
Matthew Murray
Matthew Murray was an English steam engine and machine tool manufacturer, who designed and built the first commercially viable steam locomotive, the twin cylinder Salamanca in 1812...
of Fenton, Murray and Wood, in Holbeck
Holbeck
Holbeck is a district in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.The district begins on the southern edge of the Leeds city centre and mainly lies in the LS11 Leeds postcode area. The M1 and M621 motorways used to end/begin in Holbeck. Now the M621 is the only motorway that passes through the area since...
, to design a locomotive with a pinion
Pinion
A pinion is a round gear used in several applications:*usually the smallest gear in a gear drive train, although in the case of John Blenkinsop's Salamanca, the pinion was rather large...
which would mesh with it. Murray's design was based on Richard Trevithick
Richard Trevithick
Richard Trevithick was a British inventor and mining engineer from Cornwall. His most significant success was the high pressure steam engine and he also built the first full-scale working railway steam locomotive...
's Catch me who can
Catch me who can
Catch Me Who Can was the fourth and last steam railway locomotive created by Richard Trevithick, . Built in 1808 by Rastrick and Hazledine at their foundry in Bridgnorth, England...
, adapted to use Blenkinsop's rack and pinion
Rack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
system, and was called Salamanca. This 1812 locomotive was the first to use two cylinders. These drove the pinions through cranks
Crankshaft
The crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
which were at right angles, so that the engine would start wherever it came to rest.
Though it was considered a marvel at the time, a child who witnessed it was less impressed. The child, David Joy
Joy Valve Gear
Joy valve gear is a type of locomotive valve gear, patented in 1870, where the movement is derived from a vertical link connected to the connecting rod. The vertical movement is translated into the horizontal movement required by the valve spindle by a die block moving in a slide which can be...
, became a successful engineer.
Living in Hunslet Lane, on the London Road, the old coal railway from the Middleton Pits into Leeds, ran behind our house a few fields off, and we used to see the steam from the engines rise above the trees. Once I remember going with my nurse, who held my hand (I had to stretch it up to hers, I was so little) while we stood to watch the engine with its train of coal-wagons pass. We were told it would come up like a flash of lightning, but it only came lumbering on like a cart.
In 1812, Salamanca was the first commercial steam locomotive to operate successfully, and along with three other locomotives built for the Middleton colliery, remained in use for twenty years. In 1881 the railway was converted
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
.
Preservation
Regular operation of passenger services began in 1969.
The Middleton Steam Railway is home to a representative selection of locomotives built in the Jack Lane, Hunslet
Hunslet
Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co...
area by the famous Leeds manufacturers of John Fowler & Co.
John Fowler & Co.
thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a...
, Hudswell Clarke
Hudswell Clarke
Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:...
, Hunslet Engine Company
Hunslet Engine Company
The Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
, Kitson & Co.
Kitson & Co.
Kitson and Company was a locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Early history:The company started as James Kitson at the Airedale Foundry, off Pearson Street, Hunslet in 1835 with Charles Todd as a partner...
and Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,...
. The locomotives include "Sir Berkeley", which was featured in the 1968 BBC TV version of "The Railway Children
The Railway Children
The Railway Children is a children's book by Edith Nesbit, originally serialised in The London Magazine during 1905 and first published in book form in 1906...
". The locomotive is owned by the Vintage Carriages Trust
Museum of Rail Travel
The Museum of Rail Travel at Ingrow, England is operated by the Vintage Carriages Trust , a charity based just north of Ingrow railway station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire...
of Ingrow
Ingrow
Ingrow is a suburb of Keighley, West Yorkshire, England.It is the location of the Ingrow Railway Centre with two railway museums: the Museum of Rail Travel owned by Vintage Carriages Trust, and Ingrow Loco, owned by the Bahamas Locomotive Society...
near Keighley
Keighley
Keighley is a town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of Bradford and is at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth...
.
Route and Stations
- Park Halt - Terminus
Located close to the site of an old colliery.
- Moor Road - Current Terminus
Located few metres nr Level crossing and road.
- Hunslet - Proposed
Proposed in hope of interchanging with the national network.
Operational
- Manning WardleManning WardleManning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,...
L Class 0-6-0ST no. 1210 Sir Berkeley. Recently returned to traffic after a boiler replacement but now used on passenger trains at Middleton, boiler ticket expires in 2017. In May 2008 the locomotive visited the National Railway MuseumNational Railway MuseumThe National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...
in York and hauled two bogie passenger coaches over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend. This locomotive is on loan from the Vintage Carriages TrustMuseum of Rail TravelThe Museum of Rail Travel at Ingrow, England is operated by the Vintage Carriages Trust , a charity based just north of Ingrow railway station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire...
, at Ingrow Railway CentreIngrow (West) railway stationIngrow railway station is a single-platform station serving the suburb of Ingrow in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. It is served by the preserved Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.- History :...
, on the Keighley and Worth Valley RailwayKeighley and Worth Valley RailwayThe Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a long branch line that served mills and villages in the Worth Valley and is now a heritage railway line in West Yorkshire, England. It runs from Keighley to Oxenhope. It connects to the national rail network line at Keighley railway station...
. - Hudswell ClarkeHudswell ClarkeHudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:...
0-6-0T M.S.C. 67 (works number 1369 of 1921). Returned to traffic in 2002, after its pistons were re-bored. The boiler inspection ticket (Certification) expires in 2012. - Manning Wardle No. 1601 "Mathew Murray". Returned To Service In June 2010. Boiler Ticket Expires In 2020
- NER LNER Class Y7 0-4-0T No. 1310. Returned to traffic in October 2011. Boiler Ticket expires in 2021
Undergoing Overhaul/Restoration
HunsletHunslet Engine Company
The Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
0-4-0ST No 1493. Undergoing restoration to operational condition, the frames have their wheels and are being painted before the motion goes on.
- Hawthorn LeslieHawthorn Leslie and CompanyR. & W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Limited, usually referred to as Hawthorn Leslie, was a shipbuilding and locomotive manufacturer. The Company was founded on Tyneside in 1886 and ceased building ships in 1982.-History:...
0-4-0ST No 6 "Swanscombe". Undergoing restoration to working order, the frames have been re-wheeled and painted and the cab has been fitted to the frames and is being painted, the final motion parts are being fitted and work on the saddle tank, smokebox and boiler will start afterwards. - Manning WardleManning WardleManning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,...
0-4-0ST No. 14. In the final stages of overhaul, wheels fitted under the frames and boiler being retubed.
Stored
- BagnallW.G. BagnallW. G. Bagnall was a locomotive manufacturer from Stafford, England. It was founded in 1875 by William Gordon Bagnall and ceased trading in 1962 when it was taken over by English Electric Co Ltd. The company was located at the Castle Engine Works, in Castle Town, Stafford...
0-4-0ST No. 2702. Stored outside in the elements. - Borrows 0-4-0WT No. 53 Windle. Currently being given a protective coat of paint. Planned to be overhauled in the not too distant future.
- Peckett and SonsPeckett and SonsPeckett and Sons was a locomotive manufacturer at the Atlas Works in St. George, Bristol, England.-Fox, Walker and Company:The company began trading in 1864 at the Atlas Engine Works, St. George, Bristol, as Fox, Walker and Company, building four and six-coupled saddle tank engines for industrial use...
0-4-0ST No. 2003 John BlenkinsopJohn BlenkinsopJohn Blenkinsop was an English mining engineer and an inventor of steam locomotives, who designed the first practical railway locomotive....
. Stored awaiting overhaul but should be one of the next to be returned to working order. - SentinelSentinel Waggon WorksSentinel Waggon Works Ltd was a British company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire that made steam-powered lorries, railway locomotives, and later, diesel engined lorries and locomotives.-Alley & MacLellan, Sentinel Works, Jessie Street Glasgow:...
4wVBT No. 68153. Stored dismantled in the yard. - Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No. 1309.
- Chemnitz 0-4-0WT 385, ex DSB.
- Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No. 1882 Mirvale.
- Cockerill 0-4-0VBT 1625.
- Peckett and SonsPeckett and SonsPeckett and Sons was a locomotive manufacturer at the Atlas Works in St. George, Bristol, England.-Fox, Walker and Company:The company began trading in 1864 at the Atlas Engine Works, St. George, Bristol, as Fox, Walker and Company, building four and six-coupled saddle tank engines for industrial use...
0-4-0ST No. 2103. - Kitson 0-6-0ST 5469 ex Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway.
- Hunslet Engine CompanyHunslet Engine CompanyThe Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
0-6-0ST 2387 Brookes No.1. Out of traffic, boiler ticket expired in 2009.
Operational
- Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0DM 577 Mary
- Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0DM 631 Carroll
- Brush/Beyer Peacock 0-4-0DE 91
- Thomas Hill 0-4-0DH 138C
- 5003 Peckett 0-4-0DM Austins No. 1
- Hunslet 0-6-0DM 1697 John Alcock
- Hunslet 0-4-0DM 1786 Courage
Non-Operational
- Hunslet 4wDH Rack BEM402 (works number 8505) on loan from the National Coal Mining Museum for EnglandNational Coal Mining Museum for EnglandThe National Coal Mining Museum for England is based at the site of Caphouse Colliery in Overton, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. It opened in 1988 as the Yorkshire Mining Museum and was granted national status in 1995.-History:...
( narrow gauge) - Hunslet 6273 on loan from the National Coal Mining Museum for England. ( gauge)
- J. Fowler 0-4-0DM 3900002
Non-Operational Electric Locomotives
- 420452 Greenwood and Batley Coke Oven locomotive built 1979
External links
- The Middleton Railway
- Leodis photographic archive (search keyword: Middleton Railway)
- South Leeds Industrial Heritage Trail
- "The Collier" (Middleton Railway Scene 1814 or earlier)
