Middleton On Tour

Two locomotives in the Middleton fleet are going on holidays during 2025. During these visits to other heritage railways they fly the flag for Middleton whilst allowing these locomotives to be seen operating in different scenery.

Sir Berkeley

The first locomotive to go on holiday is Manning Wardle No.1210 ‘Sir Berkeley’. This visitor favourite has visited the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway (MSLR) and will also be visiting the Rowley Station passenger line at Beamish, Living Museum Of The North. During these visits it represents both the Middleton Railway Trust (MRT) and its owners the Vintage Carriages Trust (VCT).

Over Easter weekend, Sir Berkeley opened the newly extended MSLR for 2025. It operated with their vintage carriages creating a classic light railway scene.

Following its visit to the MSLR, Sir Berkeley will be travelling north to Beamish – Living Museum Of The North. Here it will once again be reopening a line, this time the Rowley station line. It is anticipated to be operating passenger services from Rowley station (located behind the 1900’s town in Beamish) daily between the Saturday 24th May and Sunday 1st June. This forms part of the Beamish Festival Of Transport, a Railway 200 event.

This is the second time Sir Berkeley has visited Beamish during this boiler ticket, having operated on the colliery railway last year.

Brookes No.1

The second locomotive to be going on holiday is Hunslet No.2387 ‘Brookes No.1’ which will be visiting the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. This is the first time the locomotive has visited the line.

Brookes will be taking part in their ‘Hunslet Gala’ which forms part of their Railway 200 celebrations. This gala will have examples of the classic Hunslet Fitzwilliam design ranging from 14″ to 18″. Additionally, there will be a Hunslet Austerity representing one of the most popular Hunslet designs. The gala takes place between Friday 27th June and Sunday 29th June with Brookes expected to be operating over all three days.