On Sunday (21 June 2026) guests gathered at Middleton Railway for the naming of a locomotive ‘Salamanca’ as part of the celebrations marking 200 years since the death of Matthew Murray.
Murray’s first locomotive, and the first commercially viable steam locomotive in the world, was built for Middleton Railway in 1812. It was named Salamanca after a battle fought in Spain by the Duke of Wellington. Indeed, the Napoleonic Wars played their part in the move to steam as horses were in short supply and the cost of horse feed rose dramatically, forcing mine owners to look at new means to haul their coal from the pit to market.
To mark that link the railway was host to His Majesty’s 33rd Regiment Of Foot, or at least re-enactors who set the historical scene.
The naming ceremony was undertaken by Lord Faulkner, President of the Heritage Railway Association, who spoke about Matthew Murray’s life and achievements including the building of the Round Foundry in Holbeck. He explained:
“In 1812 Murray’s firm supplied John Blenkinsop, the manager of Middleton Colliery with the first twin-cylinder steam locomotive named ‘Salamanca’. This was the first commercial steam locomotive in the world. The double cylinder was Murray’s invention. He paid Richard Trevithick, the Cornish engineer, a royalty for the use of his patented high pressure steam system, but he improved upon it, using two cylinders rather than one to give a smoother ride rather than the large flywheel employed by Trevithick.
“It was only a lightweight locomotive that would work on cast iron rails without breaking them, which limited the total load of coal that could be hauled. In 1811 John Blenkinsop patented a toothed wheel and rack rail system – the wheel was driven by connecting rods and enmeshed with the tooted rail at one side of the track.
“This system enabled the small locomotive to haul loads of twenty times its own weight. Salamanca was so successful that Murray made three more models. One of the locos was sent to work on a wagonway near Newcastle Upon Tyne where it was seen by George Stevenson, who modelled his locomotive ‘Blücher’ on it.
“If Salamanca was the innovation of 1812, Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel shunter 6981 represents one of the very last designs to be built by the Hunslet Engine Company at their Jack Lane works.”
The locomotive has been recently restored and repainted to its original livery from when it worked for Conoco on Teesside.
Ian Smith, Vice President of Middleton Railway Trust told South Leeds Life:
“We were delighted to welcome Lord Faulkner, Baroness Blake, the Lord Mayor and Hilary Benn MP and we hope that everyone enjoyed the naming event.
“It’s very important to remember someone like Matthew Murray, even though he died so many years ago, his legacy to Leeds was very great. We developed into a major manufacturing centre for railways because of what Murray did and it’s great to remember his very first locomotive by naming one of the very last loco designs ever to leave the city.”
Commenting on the event Cllr Paul Wray (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside) said:
“It’s fantastic to celebrate Salamanca and the 200th anniversary of Matthew Murray, one of our great industrialists who really helped to transform the world. I’m so proud that such an important site, the first commercial railway in the world, is here in Hunslet & Riverside ward and part South Leeds. It’s one of our great gems that we should sing more about.”
Cllr Rob Chesterfield (SDP, Middleton Park) added:
“It’s great to see members of the local community come together and be joined by His Majesty’s 33rd Regiment Of Foot today to support today’s event, the naming of Salamanca.”
Main photo L-R: Lord Faulkner, Baroness Judith Blake, Hilary Benn MP, Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Stephen Holroyd and his consort Simon Mapals.
All photos: Jeremy Morton
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