2012 Events and all that

[Whyperion]

Some of you may know there's an anniversary celebration this year.

Middleton Railway , Leeds , 200 years of Commercial Steam Operation


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 this commercial application 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 the available steam locomotives in action along with historic visiting locomotives working passenger and freight trains over the entire length of the railway, including the Balm Road Branch.

The Engine House Museum building and Moor Road Station site will be host to other fantastic attractions and displays and will offer a complete day out for everyone.

Plans include Steam Road Locomotive in model , toy and full size formats , extensive model railways from the Yorkshire Area Group of the 16mm Association along with a Hornby Railways 00 layout using the now discontinued 17dc controlled live steam locomotives.


Also planned for display is an authentic replica of Blenkinsop's Patent cog wheel , essential for the traction and adhesion of a lightweight locomotive on fragile rails and noticable gradients. Casting Patterns for Cog Wheel