Middleton Railway
Volunteer-run heritage railway in Leeds, claimed as the world's oldest continuously working railway, with an Engine House museum and steam and diesel rides.
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Over het museum
The Middleton Railway began as a horse-drawn waggonway that opened in September 1758 to carry coal from the Middleton collieries to Leeds. Its owner, Charles Brandling, secured an Act of Parliament for the route, the first Act concerned mainly with building a railway. Cheaper coal helped Leeds grow into a centre of industry.
In 1812 the colliery steward John Blenkinsop introduced steam locomotives to cut costs. They used a rack and pinion system patented by Blenkinsop and were built by Matthew Murray in Leeds. They are regarded as the first commercially successful steam locomotives and attracted visitors from many countries. The experience gained in building them helped Leeds become a major locomotive-making city, with firms such as Manning Wardle and the Hunslet Engine Company.
In 1960, when the coal traffic declined, the Middleton Railway Preservation Society, started by staff and students of Leeds University, took over part of the line. It was among the first standard gauge railways to be run by volunteers. Regular passenger services began in 1969. Today the Middleton Railway Trust runs trains over about one mile of track between Moor Road and Park Halt, and shows locomotives and objects from the history of Leeds locomotive building in the Engine House museum.
Hoogtepunten
- World's oldest continuously working railway, founded in 1758
- Steam and diesel train rides from Moor Road to Park Halt
- Engine House museum with locomotives and a cutaway boiler
- Two engine cabs that visitors can climb into
- Middleton Park with woodland walks next to Park Halt
- Opgericht
- 1960
- Beheerder
- Middleton Railway Trust
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
| Volwassenen | £ 9 |
|---|---|
| Kinderen & jongeren | £ 4gratis t/m 4 jaar · Ages 5 to 15 on steam running days (1 pound on diesel running days); children aged 0 to 4 travel free. |
| Mensen met een beperking | –begeleider gratis · Carers travel free with a visitor who needs assistance, on showing proof such as a disabled person's pass, a Leeds MAX card or a carer's card. |
| Studenten | –3 pounds off a Day Rover ticket with a valid student union card. |
| Gezinnen | £ 22Two adults and up to three children. |
| Single journey, adult | £ 4,50Moor Road to Park Halt or the reverse |
| Single journey, child (5 to 15) | £ 2On steam running days |
| Annual pass, adult | £ 30Valid on regular steam and diesel running days, not on Santa Specials or some special events |
| Annual pass, child (5 to 15) | £ 15 |
The prices are the 2026 season prices for regular running days; special events can have different prices. The Day Rover ticket allows several journeys on the same day. 1 pound off an adult Day Rover with a Leeds Card and 50 pence off a child ticket with a Breeze Card. Concessions are sold only at the door with proof. Tickets are valid on the day of issue only. Pre-booking online is possible but not needed, except for the Santa Specials.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Lift
- Aangepast toilet
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
- Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
The Engine House has level access on the ground floor, a paved ramp at the front and lifts to the first floor. There are three marked disabled parking bays near the Engine House. The adapted toilet has handrails and a baby changing unit but does not fully meet the Changing Places standard. A wheelchair ramp is carried on the train, and two coaches can take motorised wheelchairs. Some special trains use brake vans that cannot take wheelchairs. Steps lead up to the locomotive cabs. Paths into Middleton Park are level at the station but then climb a long slope. In 2026 the railway trials quiet mornings on the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 11:45am, with lower lighting and no music or announcements.
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
| Toegang kinderen | gratis t/m 4 jaar |
|---|---|
| Gezinsticket | £ 22 · Two adults and up to three children. |
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Doe- en voelstations
- Verschoonruimte
Visitors can climb into two engine cabs and see a cutaway boiler in the Engine House, and special events such as the Santa Specials are popular with families. A children's play area and a boating lake are in Middleton Park beside Park Halt. A carriage can be booked for parties.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
Dewsbury Road and Church Street, Hunslet · 15 min. lopen
No bus or train service goes directly to the railway. Buses 2, 3, 200 and 201 stop on Dewsbury Road and buses 12 and 13 stop on Church Street in Hunslet, each a 10 to 15 minute walk away.
Met de auto
Parkeerplaats aanwezig
There is a car park at the entrance, mostly surfaced with limestone chippings and with an asphalt area and three disabled bays near the Engine House.
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
The railway is about 2 miles south of Leeds city centre. From the M621 northbound leave at junction 5, and from the M621 southbound leave at junction 6. Taxis can be called by the shop team.
Route plannenService & horeca
- Café
- Museumwinkel
The café serves hot and cold drinks, cakes and light snacks, and the shop sells gifts, toys, books and DVDs. High chairs are available. Visitors can bring a picnic to eat in Middleton Park.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
- Ruimtes te huur
- Privéfeesten
A carriage can be booked for a private party.
Aanvragen & detailsJe bezoek plannen
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
|---|---|
| Goed om te weten | A full return trip over the track of just over one mile takes about 25 minutes. Visitors can get off at Park Halt, visit Middleton Park and return on a later train. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome and travel free. Tickets, including pre-booked ones, must be collected at the ticket window, which takes cash and cards except American Express. |
