News from MSLR

Happy to report that progress on the refurbishment of 1604 is progressing well. The accompanying picture shows the smokebox, which has been fabricated in our own Restoration Shed, on the Middy Land Rover ready to move to Mervyn Mayes’s works at Yaxham to be fitted to the boiler/firebox. Then the whole assembly will then return…

The Heritage Railway Association Morgan Preservation Award was won by the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, and the Shredded Wheat locomotive at a virtual event on 28th April. The 1934 diesel mechanical 0-4-0 locomotive was built for the Shredded Wheat Company’s Welwyn Garden City factory by Fowler of Leeds. After falling out use it was eventually bought…

Following the successful extension of the track at the beginning of March adding nearly another 80 yards and traversing the difficult public footpath crossing, the Middy is reinvigorating its fund raising to complete the project of doubling the length of the line. Members and supporters are invited to Sponsor-a-Sleeper or sleepers at £15.00 each. Every…

During the various stages of the Covid 19 restrictions we have still been able to make significant progress on our main project of extending the line. The first major advance was the preparation and tidying of the Dovebrook area, which also included the building  of a new footbridge to access both the station and picnic…

Middy in the War Years, one of the MSLR’s most popular and ambitious events, is confirmed as the first event of the 2021 programme. Taking place this year on the second May Bank Holiday 30th and 31st weekend, MITWY will be back to its former glory with a wide range of re-enactors including, perhaps, some…

Following the latest government announcement regarding the easing of ‘lockdown’, we have had to make further changes to our 2021 programme. The most important and regrettable decision is that we have had to cancel the Easter Sunday Steam & Light Festival and, by the time less onerous restrictions are in place, days will be longer…

Since we published our prospective events programme for this summer (see What’s On page), we are pleased to report the reaction from friends and visitors from previous years, which help to make a visit to the Middy such a unique day out, has been simply superb. Middy in the War Years  is taking shape with…

The Middy Events Department has announced its proposed programme for 2021 – all events being subject to the current regulations and guidelines in place at the time of the event. The immediate effect is the that the whole programme will start later this year. Thus a major adjustment compared to previous years is that ‘Middy…

Despite the corona virus restrictions and limitations, the Middy Santa Specials were a total success with all trains sold out well before their ‘right away’ and the worrying aspects of social distancing and separate carriage compartments were perfectly organised under the skilful direction of Events Manager, Rose Weller. Many visitors expressed their thanks to volunteers…