Three coach trains back on the Middy this summer

154 year old First Class Smoking coach back in service.

After 65 years since the closure of the Mid Suffolk Light Railway, the Middy will be able to run a three coach service again this year, when our 1863 Great Eastern Railway First Class Smoking Coach no.140 returns to service. 140 is a real time capsule in that it’s accommodation is laid out in the form of sitting rooms in a gentleman’s club and, of course, the purpose was for travelling and smoking on the way to, perhaps, the races at Newmarket. Needless to say smoking is no longer allowed in the carriage, but Middy visitors will be able to experience Victorian 1st class travel thanks to the efforts of the craftsmen in the Middy restoration team.

The last three coach trains ran in 1952 when the railway closed. The Middy was also the last British public railway to use 6-wheel coaches in general service. Our train now is composed entirely of genuine Victorian four wheel coaches, all well over 100 years old.