2025 marks several anniversaries including the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening and 65th anniversary of the Middleton Railway being preserved. A lesser known anniversary, but equally important (in our opinion anyway!), is the 90th anniversary of our beloved Hunslet No.1786 otherwise known as ‘Sweet Pea’ or ‘Courage’.
This diminutive diesel was built in 1935 for use at the Courage Brewery in Alton, Hampshire. After over 30 years of use at the brewery, shunting trains of supplies, it was purchased for preservation at Middleton in 1968. It has since remained a favourite among volunteers and visitors.
Measuring just 14’ 2” from buffer to buffer, weighing 6 tons 12 cwt, having 22hp and a top speed of around 7mph it is the smallest standard gauge diesel ever built giving it an important place in the railways collection.
To celebrate the 90th birthday of this marvel of a locomotive, it will be in operation hauling brake van rides on the 19th and 20th July. This is a rare opportunity to see ‘Sweet Pea’ both operating and giving brake van rides for the public. It is anticipated that the 19th July will also be the first time the locomotive will be out following a full repaint and overhaul back to original condition.
Sweet Pea will be unveiled in a special dedicated ceremony at 11am, following this it will be hauling brake van rides in the yard for a cost of £5 on the day.
At 13:00, it will be hauling an exclusive return brake van trip from Moor Road to Park Halt. This will be Pea’s first time hauling passengers up the line unassisted in several decades.
We have a very limited number of tickets for this exclusive full line ride behind Pea in a brake van at 13:00. These are for sale at £20 per rider (adult or child) and includes your day rover ticket for riding our other services.
UPDATE! Due to high demand for the 13:00 full line brake van trip, an additional full line trip behind Sweet Pea has been arranged. This will depart Moor Road at 16:15 with tickets only available on the day. Tickets are £20 per rider (adult or child) and includes your day rover ticket for riding our other services.
Day rovers are also available but do not include travel behind Sweet Pea. These cost £10 for adults and £5 for children.