Mid-Suffolk Light Railway
Suffolk Museum of the Year 2015
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Visit Us & What’s on

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2019 OPENING DAYS AND PROGRAMME

In 2019 the MSLR will be open every Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday until August 26. This year many of our Steam Railway Days will have visits from societies and clubs giving the days an added attractions. Additionally there are some operating days outside the main season (see programme right>). Scroll down on this page for the latest information we have by event.

Trains on operating days will be steam hauled unless stated otherwise. Our museum, shop, refreshment room, model railway and our real ale bar, the Kitchener Arms will all be open on train operating days.

Entry prices: adult £10.00, child (under 16) £5.00, concession £8.00, family (2+2) £25.00, (except special events and Santa Specials).

Opening times are 11am – 5pm*. Trains typically run every 20 minutes on operating days, though this may vary for some special events.

*Last return train times may vary between 3.30 and 4.30. 

Find Us

You can find us at;
Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5PW. The MSLR Museum and Station is just off the A140 Ipswich (14 miles) to Norwich (28 miles) Road. Look for the Mendlesham TV mast and then follow the brown signs.

Accessibility, parking and wheelchair access

We do our best to accommodate you and your needs and if you have any queries do not hesitate to contact us.

Parking is normally in a field adjacent to the site but disabled parking is available on the station forecourt providing a short and easy level access to the museum buildings and trains.

Wheelchair access is available to all the museum buildings and toilets and wheelchairs can normally be carried on the trains. A wheelchair is also available on site. Note that some parts of the site are not accessible for a wheelchair due to uneven terrain. The site is subject to a periodic disabled access survey.

What’s On

Bank Holiday Steam Up

26 May 2019 - 27 May 2019

The first full regular open days of the Middy’s 2019 season, with two locos in steam and all the railway’s attractions available.

 Plus: Guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ will be on display and demonstrating it’s extraordinary traction engine style motion.

Also on Monday 27th we will be hosting performances by the East Suffolk Morris Men. Their traditional music and dancing is quite in keeping with the ‘days of yore’ atmosphere of the Middy in our very rural setting.

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

2 Jun 2019

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

Steam Railway Day

9 Jun 2019

Steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway vehicles hauled by one of our resident locomotives and all other Middy facilities will be open, including our newly refurbished Tea Room.

Guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ will also be in steam and demonstrating light freight and shunting movements.

We have made great strides in our plan to extend the line. Come and see how far we have got and how far we are going. Also you can view progress of the rebuilding of our own locomotive in our Lottery funded Restoration Engine Shed.

Bar Open

Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Day

16 Jun 2019

The Middy will be hosting a visit from The Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club.

The Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club is probably the largest Club catering for all vehicles, in East Anglia. It has been in existence for thirty years.

As can be seen from the wide range of vehicles on display at a previous show, the Club’s attendance will be a very welcome additional feature to a summer’s day at the Middy.

 

Bar Open

Aston Martin Owners Club Day

23 Jun 2019

The Middy will be hosting a visit from the Aston Martin Owners Club.

More details and pictures T.B.C.

Bar Open

Diesel Day

30 Jun 2019

Despite the fact that the old Middy never once saw a diesel in revenue earning service, the MSLR now has two and they will both in action together for the first time in public this Sunday.

Ruston & Hornsby 165DS 0-4-0

 

Built for the West Midlands Gas Board in 1951, this loco remained in Birmingham for some 23 years until it was sold to Unigate Foods in Chard, Somerset in 1974. In 1986 it was acquired by the Ruston Locomotive Owners Group and eventually purchased from them by a number of volunteers and the MSLR Company in 2002. Since then it has been used mainly for shunting and shed pilot work when the railway was not open to the public. However it was a very welcome substitute for steam in the exceptional summer of 2018 when steam operations had to be discontinued in case of causing fires on the adjoining farm land.

 

Ruston & Hornsby 48DS 0-4-0

The ‘baby’ Ruston was purchased by two volunteers from the late Sir William McAlpine in 2017. Although no diesels ever ran on the Middy when the line was open, the contractors used an example of the exact same model when lifting the line after closure. Perhaps ironically, we hope to use this ‘baby’ in the reconstruction of the extension to Aspall Halt.

 

N.B. Not to to forget the Middy’s steam heritage we will also be running ‘Sirapite’ today on demonstration shunting and goods duties.

 

Bar Open

Land Rover Day

7 Jul 2019

In addition to all the regular Middy attractions, steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel vehicles, the MSLR Museum, souvenir shop, cafe and real ale bar, there will be a display of Land Rovers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the start of production of these iconic British vehicles and also the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the Series 2 version of “Landies”. There will be a good selection of the series 1, 2 and 3 vehicles as well as the later Defenders, etc.

A steam railway and examples of a world famous road going marque – an opportunity to appreciate two of our greatest exports together at Brockford.

Pictured: Mr. Kevin Burley’s 1999 modified Defender 90

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

14 Jul 2019

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

Our guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ will be on show giving light freight and shunting demonstrations.

Subject to availability we also hope to be able to unveil our latest restored vehicle and return it to traffic. Watch this space!

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

21 Jul 2019

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

Bar Open

Steam Railway and Vintage Tractor Day

28 Jul 2019

Today we welcome members of the Tivetshall Old Ram Tractor Club who will be parading their vintage tractors at Brockford for the second year running.  The Club is dedicated to preserving and running classic and veteran tractors from the early 1900s to 1975. The Club now has 140 members who, between them, own some 500 tractors. Over 30 were on display at last year’s event.

All the Middy facilities will be open including steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches, the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms and Guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ will be performing light freight and shunting duties.

 

 

 

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

4 Aug 2019

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

11 Aug 2019

 

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

And our guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ will be demonstrating light freight and shunting.

Bar Open

Steam Railway Day

18 Aug 2019

Enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and experience the atmosphere of how a rural railway served its community in Edwardian times.

All the Middy facilities will be open including the Museum, newly refurbished tea room, the Middy shop and our real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms, and guest loco ‘Sirapite ‘ will be on light freight and shunting duties

Bar Open

Hornby Collectors Day and Model Mania

25 Aug 2019 - 26 Aug 2019

This year we are adding to our perennially popular Hornby Collectors event by inviting displays of all sorts of models, truly trains and boats and planes. But the cornerstone remains Hornby ‘O’ gauge, Dublo and Meccano models and products from the Liverpool factory.

To complement the model displays we will have two locomotives in steam and on duty plus guest locomotive ‘Sirapite’ and all the Middy open day attractions.

By the way, did you know that the newly released Hornby models of TOAD B and E brake vans were based on our Middy TOAD B. The Hornby team visited Brockford and exhaustively measured and photographed our vehicle as the basis for their version.

 

Bar Open

Country Railway Gala

7 Sep 2019 - 8 Sep 2019

A celebration of the country railway plus steam road vehicles and farm machinery with four locos in steam including our 2019 guest loco ‘Sirapite’.

 

Bar Open

Santa Specials 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd December

7 Dec 2019 - 22 Dec 2019

Back by popular demand with 6 days to choose from this year. The perennial treat for children up to 10. A steam train ride on the Santa Special to North Pole Halt for an individual visit to to Santa in his Magic Brakevan. A present for every child , children’s entertainment and a mince pie and a drink for everyone.

Advanced booking only at www.mslr.org.uk or call 01473 890622.

£12.00 per person pre-booked only.

 

While the MSLR endeavours to provide the advertised service and motive power where possible, sometimes this may not be possible. Preserved locomotives and rolling stock can be temperamental, meaning late changes may occasionally be necessary. The MSLR and/or MTC cannot be held responsible for any disappointment or inconvenience caused by any amendments or cancellations to services made at short notice.

1 Comment. Leave new

Oak - air dried for Toad B brake van restoration - Sutton Timber News
 June 4, 2017 1:49 am

[…] and restored by the Mid Suffolk Light Railway in 1995 and in continuous service as a passenger and demonstration goods train the Toad B LNER […]

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