East of England - Suffolk

In 1991, after almost all traces had disappeared, a group of enthusiasts decided that this country railway, once so important to the area should not be forgotten. ‘The Middy’, a fine example of rural English history, now resurrected as Suffolk’s only standard gauge railway museum and, ironically, is probably busier now than it ever was.
Today’s ‘Middy’ and its Museum is not just a treat for enthusiasts, but a genuine look back at how a rural railway served it’s community up to 100 years ago.

In 2012 The Heritage Railway Association made the MSLR their Interpretation Award Winners for recreating the unique atmosphere of a rural light railway. In 2014 we were awarded the title of Suffolk Museum of the Year in competition with the 40 other accredited Suffolk Museums.

This year we have an exciting programme featuring up to three locomotives in steam, including the rare and fascinating Cockerill Belgian tram engine. This locomotive is a vertical boilered well tank over 100 years old, having been built in 1906. The tram engine joins another new arrival, ex Central Electricity Generating Board Bagnall saddle tank, works no. 2565 and our regular loco for the last few years Hudswell, Clarke
0-6-0 saddle tank ‘Wissington’, the last steam locomotive in regular commercial operation in East Anglia.

You can enjoy steam train rides in genuine Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches along our over 1/4 mile of track from Brockford Station to Dovebrook, where the track side walk takes you along the route of our next most ambitious project – the extension of the line to over double the current length.

At our station at Brockford we have original buildings, passenger and goods vehicles, displays, artefacts and exhibitions and our works for restoration and maintenance of vehicles and rebuilding our own locomotive. On site facilities include the MSLR Museum, café, shop, picnic area and newly restored real ale bar coach, The Kitchener Arms.

The railway is open from 11.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. every Bank Holiday and summer Sundays from 24th May – 31st August 2015. Special events include Middy in the War Years, Belgian Beer Festival and Santa Specials. And for all those who always wanted to be an engine driver, there are our Driver Experience courses where, under the supervision of our experienced staff, you can learn all about firing and driving a steam engine and actually have a go. On selected days we also offer ‘cab rides for a tenner,’ two return trips the length of our line. For full details visit www.mslr.org.uk

Groups are welcome but contacting us in advance is advisable to ensure coach parking is available.
 

Event: Summer Programme 2015

Venue: Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5PW

With three locomotives now based at Brockford, 2015 promises to be the busiest
programme yet and steam trains will be running every Bank Holiday and summer Sundays until 31st August.

Visitors will be able to ride as often as they like in genuine Victorian Great Eastern Railway 4-wheel coaches and all the railway’s onsite facilities including The Museum, cafe, shop trackside walk and real ale bar coach will be open when trains are running.

Locomotives include the newly restored tram engine, one of the few vertical boilered engines working in the country.

The MSLR also offer their very popular Driver Experience Courses. Under expert supervision, anyone over 18, can drive a full size steam locomotive. The MSLR Driver Experience is competitively priced at £125.00. The ‘Middy’ will also be offering cab rides for £10.00 on selected days.

For the full programme and entry prices see www.mslr.org.uk To book call 01473 890622

For more press information contact John Reeve info@jrcom.co.uk 01986 798019