In recognition of their many years of loyal service to the Middleton Railway 16 volunteers were awarded long service lapel badges at a recent Volunteers Forum.
These badges depict an image of Salamanca, the first steam locomotive to work on the railway in 1812, surrounded by the description, ‘The Middleton Railway, Working Member’. The three badges also state the minimum length of service of the member; 20, 30 or 40 years. The badges were presented by Railway Vice President and Hunslet Engine Company expert Don Townsley.
Sixteen Working Members were recognised at the event, six of whom have actually given more than 50 years loyal service to The Railway! Between the recipients they have 677 years of service.
The Middleton Railway is run and operated by 66 Working Members who are supported by a number of other people working as volunteers. We have never had any paid staff. One estimate is that the length of service of the people on our current list of Working Members is more than 1,000 years. Tribute must also be paid to the many people who, since the creation of the society in 1959, have contributed countless years of service ensuring the future of The Railway.
Our working members will be serving the public once again on Saturday 25 March when the Railway reopens after the winter break. If you would like to join the ranks of our volunteers then you will be most welcome. Call in at the Railway for a chat on any public operating day – or most Wednesdays – to find out what is involved.
This post was written by Malcolm Johnson using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
