Middleton Railway will open its 2025 season on Saturday (5 April 2025) with its traditional Community Day.
The day offers a platform to a wide range of community groups to promote themselves to visitors and hopefully gain some new members. People visiting the railway will get a chance to find out about local history, wildlife, sporting groups and activities for the elderly. Train rides are free for the day.
The railway sees itself as an important part of the South Leeds community, after all it has been here for the last 277 years! As such Middleton Railway will have its own stand aimed at promoting what it does and the opportunities it provides for volunteers.
The relaxed setting also allows the different community groups to talk to each other, share experiences and possibly even develop opportunities to support each other and develop new projects.
Charles Milner, Chair of the Middleton Railway explained:
“The event will feature of wide range of community groups covering elements of local life such as the history of the area, Middleton Park and the wildlife of the area, sporting activities for all ages and other community based activities together with groups focussed on providing support for different constituents of the South Leeds community including the elderly.
“It is also planned that representatives of the local emergency services, the Fire Service and Neighbourhood Policing will be present for at least some of the day – duties permitting. As such there should be much to interest all visitors to Community Day and give them a better idea of all that their community has to offer.
“The Middleton Railway looks forward to welcoming many, many visitors and like the other participating groups showcasing what it offers.”
The Middleton Railway was built in 1758 and is the first railway authorised by an Act of Parliament, the first to have commercially successful steam locomotives, in June 1812; and also the first standard gauge preserved railway, opening in June 1960. It has operated trains every year since opening in 1758.
Middleton Railway is located at Moor Road, Hunslet, LS10 2JG.
For more information visit: www.middletonrailway.org.uk
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