New Carriage & Wagon Manager

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Carriage & Wagon Manager to take charge of the Museum’s stock of coaches, all of which are well over 100 years old, and our collection of wagons from many different periods.
George Ayriss, one of the Middy’s younger members at just 27, is already a volunteer with over two years experience. He has stepped up to a Managers job that has been vacant for almost as long as he has been with the MSLR.
A real railway enthusiast, George has always been interested in trains and models and, in fact, exhibited his 00 gauge layout at last year’s Model Mania. As a Stowmarket resident the history of the MSLR has been of particular interest to him and the opportunity to help with preservation and maintenance of the fleet of ancient vehicles is also a major attraction. Especially bearing mind that at least two are unique – carriage no.140 is almost certainly the oldest Great Eastern Railway coach in operation at 162 years old and the G.E. horse box, built in1869, is again the oldest known of its type in existence.
“I am really looking forward to getting to grips with the C. & W. Department, although I realise there will be plenty to learn and I will need help from both people already at the railway and new members I hope to recruit and bring with me.”
Currently working with Ipswich Borough Council, George will be joining the Police Force in May, just the job for keeping the Middy in order!