At last the opening of the Extension

Middy Extension Opening Approved – Public Opening 2nd & 3rd August.

The extension will give visitors a return ride of almost two kilometres in the Middy’s Victorian 4-wheeled steam hauled trains along the original track alignment through countryside served by the MSLR between 1908 and 1952. This is more than double the length of the previous Middy ride and will give passengers a real feel of train travel during the early part of the 20th century, especially as the terrain is, in railway terms, either side of a marked dip, so in both directions, there is plenty for a steam engine to do.

This development will make the Middy a great railway journey for Suffolk and, particularly for the younger generations, to experience a real rural railway and an even more important tourist attraction for Suffolk.

This is a great leap forward for the Middy and we expect a general atmosphere of celebration this weekend including performances by Castleton Brass  on Sunday the 3rd August.

Manning Wardle ‘Sir Berkeley’ (right) will be the duty loco for both days.

Main picture: learning the route. Photo: James Kindred