The Middleton Railway is pleased to announce that it is working with the Vintage Carriages Trust to restore Manning Wardle contractor’s locomotive “Sir Berkeley” to its original “Logan and Hemingway” livery. When back in service in 2020, this locomotive will be the only working example of a Manning Wardle contractor's locomotive - the type of locomotive which helped build much of this country's infrastructure, including such great Victorian enterprises as the Great Central Railway and the Manchester Ship Canal.
VCT Chairman Trevor England commented, “We are delighted to be working with our partners at Middleton Railway to restore our historic locomotive to its original appearance as far as it is possible. The loco will become a great ambassador for both organisations in its new livery. Visitors seeing this engine at work will notice the contrast between the very elaborate multi-coloured livery, showing the pride Logan and Hemingway took in their locomotives, and the spartan conditions provided for the crew - no cab, just a simple weatherboard (and sou' westers!).
MRT Chairman Charles Milner said, “ Middleton Railway is also delighted to be restoring this great example of Leeds-built engineering. On a personal note, the engine was involved in the construction of Nottingham Victoria station and, for me, brings back many childhood memories of catching trains from that most atmospheric of railway stations. We look forward to seeing SIR BERKELEY hauling trains at Middleton in the not too distant future.”
Members and friends of the Trust will be saddened to learn of the premature death of Trustee Mick Halcrow, known to many as an integral part of the "front of house" team at The Carriage Works Museum.
Mick had been receiving treatment in Airedale Hospital and Bradford Royal infirmary, and latterly palliative care at Manorlands. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the several conditions from which he was suffering on 11th September.
Mick’s first duty at Ingrow was in July 2009 and his enthusiasm and commitment to VCT soon had him elected to the VCT Committee at its AGM on 16thOctober, 2010. As well as often being found behind the counter at VCT, Mick undertook a wide range of "behind the scenes" tasks. He was responsible for Publicity and Marketing, and was the Trust's Retail manager. He represented VCT at the Rail Story and Bronte Country Partnerships, and attended meetings with AIM, Welcome to Yorkshire and Museums Development amongst others. He also contributed to re-accreditation of the Museum, insurance matters and was the author of the current Emergency Plan.
He will be sadly missed by his colleagues at the Trust for his dedication, and his willingness to be available on behalf of the Trust in any capacity.
His funeral will take place at 2:30 pm, on Friday, 29th September at Oakworth Crematorium.
Please accept this as an invitation to attend the funeral/wake. If you are able to attend, please send an email to admin@vintagecarriagestrust.org or phone Ian Smith on 07976 569178 so that we can arrange catering.
VCT took delivery of the historic Overhead Line Inspection Vehicle [OLIV] into Ingrow workshop for the first stage of its restoration to working order following an arson attack in February 2016, at Middleton. VCT will rebuild the bodyshell, replace the windows and repaint it, making a fully weatherproof vehicle to return to its home at Moor Road, on the Middleton Railway, where the members of the EM2 Locomotive Society can then restore the interior. Photo Ian Dobson.
Midland Railway Carriage 358 has been lifted to allow the underframe to be removed for restoration. Photos Paul Holroyd.
The three day Autumn Steam Spectacular will be using four of our carriages on the Vintage Trains. First Class Metropolitan 509 and Metropolitan Brake Third 427 will be in action on Friday 7th. Bulleid 1469 and Chatham 3554 will be in action on Sunday 9th.
Photos by Paul Holroyd
Two more photos by Paul Holroyd
Photos by Paul Holroyd
Photos by Paul Holroyd
Photos by Paul Holroyd
