This weekend Middleton Railway will be celebrating 200 years of steam at the railway with a special event, writes Andrew Gill.
In June 1812 the Middleton Railway became the first railway in the world to successfully use steam locomotives in a commercial environment.
These early pioneering locomotives hauled coal from the local mine into Leeds to help fuel the industrial revolution. Since then steam has never been far from the Middleton Railway, continuing to work moving coal and then its new life as a passenger line as the first standard gauge preserved railway.
This year sees the 200th anniversary of steam power and the Middleton Railway will celebrate this historical achievement with an all-steam gala event on the 23rd and 24th June. The event will see all our available steam locomotives in action along with visiting locomotives working passenger and freight trains over the entire length of the railway, including the Balm Road Branch.
Our Engine House building and Moor Road Station site will be host to other fantastic attractions and displays and will offer a complete day out for everyone.
Check out the Middleton Railway website for more infoirmation.
