90TH BIRTHDAY GALA

THE loco’s 90th birthday is being celebrated on Saturday and Sunday September 10/11 when the Middleton Railway holds a ‘90 Not Out!’ event. This coincides with the nationwide Heritage Weekend, which has the theme of ‘innovation’, so it is appropriate to celebrate the innovation of the Hunslet Engine Company in producing this locomotive all those years ago.

In addition to No. 7051, the Middleton hopes to have Kerr, Stuart & Co’s pioneer standard gauge diesel No. KS4421 as a guest locomotive. This six-wheel, chain-driven loco went to the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway before moving to the Rom River Works at Lichfield and finally the Foxfield Railway. It will provide a link between the pioneering work of Kerr, Stuart and the production of successful locos from the Hunslet Engine Company.

Besides the two star attractions, other members of the Middleton’s Leeds-built fleet of diesels will also be in action – including Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0DM Mary (a contemporary of No. 7051) built literally across the road from Hunslet’s in 1932. Firm favourite Sweet Pea, Hunslet 4wCD No. 1786/35 should also be in action, alongside MD&HB No. 45, and hopefully No. JF4220033/65 Harry. The latter loco was severely vandalised back in 2019 and has only recently been fully restored to working order.

Full details of this event will be on the Middleton Railway’s website (www. middletonrailway.org.uk), when visitors will be able to celebrate a shining example of local innovation and success in the best tradition of Leeds locomotive building.

DAVE WALDREN COLLECTION Also taking part in the September gala will be Kerr, Stuart 6w diesel loco No. KS4421, which was built in 1929. It is seen at Rom River Reinforcement, Lichfield, in 1967 before being preserved at the Foxfield Railway.