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South Leeds: Behind the scenes at Middleton Light Railway
LABOUR OF LOVE: Paul Baxter working on a steam locomotive.
An army of volunteers are planning to give the world’s oldest continuously working railway a special anniversary celebration.
More than 70 volunteers regularly descend upon Middleton Railway, which this year celebrates 200 years since it became the world’s first railway to use steam locomotives in a commercial environment.
Originally built to transport coal from Middleton Colliery to the factories of Leeds, the railway, established in 1758, has been run by volunteers for 52 years.
Now everyone from former teachers, plumbers, coach and engine drivers as well as youngsters aged 16 upwards keep the historic railway running.
Andrew Gill, chairman of Middleton Railway Trust, said: “Without them, these 100-year-old locomotives wouldn’t be running, we are keeping a living museum with living history and if these people didn’t dedicate their time, these things would have been cut up and left for scrap a long while ago.”
On June 23 and 24 the railway will hold its 200 Years of Steam gala, which will bring the world’s oldest working standard gauge locomotive to the city.
The Furness No.20, built in 1863, will join the railway’s fleet along with the Steam Elephant locomotive to celebrate 200 years since it first welcomed steam engines.
Mr Gill, who first worked on the railway when he was at school 52 years ago, said: “This is another big milestone, not just for the railway but the city itself.
“This event kicked off the locomotive building industry and Leeds went on to build more than any other town or city in England, it was massive but it’s all been forgotten – that’s the tragedy.”
In total the trust has 31 steam and diesel locomotives in its collection and around a quarter of those are working – many of which have been brought back to life by the railway’s dedicated fleet of volunteers.
Paul Baxter, a 61-year-old local government officer by day, first volunteered to help out at the railway, based at its station in Moor Road, Hunslet, a decade ago.
Mr Baxter, from Alwoodley, first started coming to the railway to bring his young son Daniel along, who now drives for the trust, before getting hooked himself.
He said: “It’s a shame, that in the area I live, 99 per cent of the population have not even heard of Middleton Railway or realised the historical significance of it, and obviously the locomotive industry in Leeds was major in the past but it’s not appreciated as widely today.”
The railway, which was the target of metal thieves last year, is in the midst of annual maintenance work ahead of it reopening on March 31.
Ken Barker, a retired environmental health officer from Horbury, in Wakefield, said: “I like it because of the camaraderie first and foremost and the ability to get yourself involved with what are effectively do it yourself schemes and projects.”
The 66-year-old, who started volunteering at the railway three years ago, said: “You’ve got to respect your heritage.”
Retired Brian Hall, 74, who has volunteered at the railway for 25 years, added: “There’s a great stretch of backgrounds and you get to know different people and it keeps you up-to-date with life in general.”
The railway, which is funded through grants and donations, recently set up an appeal to help it buy a £25,000 running shed, to protect engines before they are used.
Visit www.middletonrailway.org.uk for information or to apply to volunteer.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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