Middy in the War Years is one of the railway s most popular events.
- Credit: Archant
Suffolk s only standard-gauge heritage railway is to open for the first time this year with its popular Middy in the War Years event.
And for the first time the American troops and British Home Guard are to be joined by a detachment of German Mountain Troops - although they will be kept at the other end of the line.
Re-enactment groups showing German troops have been controversial on some heritage railways, but Mid Suffolk Light Railway spokesman John Reeve said organisers had discussed their offer to come along.
The show also featured two new award categories. Most Innovative Fundraising Idea reflected the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on heritage rail. Diesel Locomotion acknowledged the importance of diesel power in railway history.
The HRA Awards recognise a wide range of achievements and distinctions across the entire heritage railway industry, and the awards acknowledge individuals and institutions as well as railways, tramways and cliff railways. In spite of the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, several categories saw a record number of submissions and shortlisted entrants.
The Lord Faulkner Award for the Young Volunteer of the Year recognises the crucial importance of succession generations in securing the future of heritage rail, and acknowledges a distinguished contribution made by one or more young volunteers, under the age of 26. The winner was Oliver Edwards, of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. Runners-up were the Severn
Shreddie before the restoration work took place
- Credit: Tony Goff
The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has picked up a prestigious award for its work on restoring a historic locomotive.
The Middy, as it is known, was awarded the Morgan Preservation award earlier this week at the Heritage Railway Association s awards for its restored Shredded Wheat diesel mechanical locomotive.
The 1934 0-4-0 locomotive was built for the Shredded Wheat Company’s Welwyn Garden City factory by Fowler of Leeds.
Years after falling out of use it was eventually bought at auction in a completely derelict state by Tony Goff.
Mr Goff offered it to the MSLR, but the locomotive was not in a good state; it was seized solid and immovable, so the Middy couldn’t take it straight away.
Shreddie before the restoration work took place
- Credit: Tony Goff
The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has picked up a prestigious award for its work on restoring a historic locomotive.
The Middy, as it is known, was awarded the Morgan Preservation award earlier this week at the Heritage Railway Association s awards for its restored Shredded Wheat diesel mechanical locomotive.
The 1934 0-4-0 locomotive was built for the Shredded Wheat Company’s Welwyn Garden City factory by Fowler of Leeds.
Years after falling out of use it was eventually bought at auction in a completely derelict state by Tony Goff.
Mr Goff offered it to the MSLR, but the locomotive was not in a good state; it was seized solid and immovable, so the Middy couldn’t take it straight away.
There may no longer be any tracks through the station - but it remains a popular destination.
Several stations have been converted into homes. Small country stations can become attractive detached homes with bags of character, especially for rail enthusiasts, while some larger stations have been split up into equally characterful homes.
Trains still pass through Leiston railway station occasionally - but special passenger trips are very rare.
- Credit: Paul Geater
Leiston station closed to passengers in 1966 (although the occasional freight train to Sizewell siding still comes past) and was turned into a group of terraced houses in the 1970s.