Historic model locomotive donated to Middleton Railway
The Middleton Railway has been donated a historic working model of its very first steam locomotive, ‘Salamanca’. It was built in 1939 by a Mr H Murray and last worked, we believe, in 1960. Stored for many years, his relatives originally offered the model to Leeds Industrial Museum, but as
Train scan gives inside track on marvellous museum model’s secrets
High-tech 3D scans have revealed the intricate inner workings of the world’s oldest model locomotive for the first time in more than 200 years. Leeds Industrial Museum’s incredible miniature recreation of a pioneering early steam locomotive recently underwent a detailed CT X-Ray survey using sophisticated equipment at the University of
Epic transatlantic journey to rediscover historic blast from the past
The American ancestor of a 19th century railway worker has rediscovered a fascinating family connection to a dramatic explosion on the Middleton Railway with the help of the world’s oldest model locomotive. Lisa Roger journeyed more than 5,000 miles from her home in Phoenix, Arizona to Leeds Industrial Museum to
Guided walk: The Brandlings and their Legacy
On Sunday (17 September 2023) the Friends of Middleton Park will be leading a free guided walk in Middleton Park entitled ‘The Brandlings and their Legacy’. In 1697 Ralph Brandling of Durham married Anne Leigh, the heir to the Middleton estate. On the death of Anne’s father in 1706 Ralph
Historic Salamanca locomotive model returns to Leeds
The world’s oldest model locomotive is back home in Leeds more than two centuries after it helped spark a global railway revolution. Made in 1811 by famous engineer Matthew Murray, the precious model has arrived safely at Leeds Industrial Museum where it will now take pride of place in an
New homes celebrate Hunslet’s railway history
A new housing development has been officially opened with a celebration of the industrial heritage of Leeds from which it takes its name. The £1.7m development of 16 new homes at Salamanca Court in Belle Isle has been completed by Leeds Federated Housing Association. The estate’s name has been
Middleton Park – Ancient and Modern
I spent an enjoyable afternoon in Middleton Park on a history walk organised and led by the Friends of the park. Alan and Jim led sixteen humans and five dogs on a tour that took in pits, houses and dykes. As well as the history we were updated with the