The Middleton Railway was the first railway to be authorised by Act of Parliament in 1758 and has never closed.
In 1812 it introduced the worlds first commercially successful steam locomotives which were designed and built in Leeds. These locomotives incorporated one of the most significant advances in the design of the steam locomotive – namely the twin cylinder engine which eliminated the need for the cumbersome flywheel employed on earlier singe cylinder engined locomotives.
The Middleton Railway’s first locomotives had a huge influence on the design of George Stephenson’s first locomotive, ‘Blucher’, and his later locomotives such as ‘Locomotion No. 1’ of the Stockton & Darlington Railway conformed to the same design. Without the pioneering efforts of the Middleton Railway, Railway 200 would most likely not be happening in 2025.
As part of its contribution to Railway 200, the Middleton Railway is restoring to ‘as built’ condition the unique 22 HP 4 wheel Hunslet Engine Co. built loco ‘Courage’. It was designed to provide a cheap easy to operate alternative to the horse for shunting small factory yards and spent its working life at Courage Brewery, Alton – hence the name. It retired in 1968 to the Middleton Railway and regularly worked commercial freight traffic as well as P.W. trains and so played an important part in the Railway’s history.
‘Courage’ will be 90 years old in 2025 and is an exemplar of the pioneering role of Leeds based locomotive builders in the development of the diesel locomotive. Its planned relaunch will take place on Saturday 19th July when it will be providing brake van rides in Moor Road Station Yard. The event will include the singing of a birthday song by a local primary school choir dedicated to ‘Sweet Pea’ as the diminutive locomotive is affectionately known. This event is aimed at both the enthusiast and the general public who will have the opportunity to see at work and ride behind this remarkable little engine.