Train Rides

 

 

visitors enjoying a train ride

Visitors enjoying a train ride

Train rides are ...

  • the highlight of any visit!
  • from Moor Road to Park Halt and back again
  • round trip about 25 minutes
    • or get off at Park Halt to visit Middleton Park, and return on a later train
  • normally return tickets are valid all day
    • so have more than one ride if you wish,
    • provided that we have spare capacity on the train.

 

a diesel train

A diesel train leaving the Moor Road platform

Normal services ...

  • diesel trains on Saturdays and Wednesdays
  • steam trains on Sundays and Bank Holidays
  • first train departs from Moor Road at 10.30 am
  • last train departs at 3.30 pm

60th anniversary train

The 60th anniversary train leaving the platform
20th June 2020
with the same locomotive as our first passenger train in 1960

An important health precaution ...

  • if you think you have any symptoms that might be of coronavirus
    • eg high temperature, coughing,
    • loss of taste or smell, or generally feeling unwell
  • then PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE RAILWAY

a train at a gala

A special train for a gala, in the Moor Road platform

Please check the timetable ...

  • for details of special events
  • for changes to train times
  • and for frequently asked questions

See what others say about us ...

Or comments that they sent to us ...

April 5th 2017.

Visited for the first time today with my 19 month old train mad son. Very impressed. Excellent value for money. Good, clean facilities (toilets/rubbish bins), friendly staff. Lovely little shop and cafe. Quaint & tidy platform. Lots of trains to have a look at, plenty of entertainment for a toddler!

Find out more ...

  • about where we are
  • about our train services
  • about party trains
  • about tour parties
  • about special events
  • our brochure for 2020

When You First Arrive

ticket office window

The entrance and ticket office window

Buying your tickets ...

  • the ticket office is in our Engine House building
  • after purchasing tickets you enter our introductory gallery
  • adjacent to our souvenir shop
  • browse this now, or leave it until after your train ride

the introductory gallery

The introductory gallery

In the introductory gallery ...

  • displays explain why the Middleton Railway is so important
  • and its links with the Leeds locomotive building industry
  • you can watch the "Tales of Middleton"
    • short audio-visual features
    • about some of the people in the railway’s history

The Display Hall

 

 

a locomotive in the display hall

One of the locomotives in the display hall.
The steps allow you to visit the cab

This contains our museum collection ...

  • many of our locomotives
  • items from the railway's history
  • items from the Leeds locomotive building industry
  • explanations of how they work
  • you can visit the cabs of two of the steam locomotives
  • access free
  • only open on days when trains are running

Middleton Park

bluebells in the park

Bluebells in Middleton Park

Next to our Park Halt ...

  • the Park covers about 630 acres
  • it has a mix of ancient woodland, open grassland and recreational areas
  • it features a boating lake and visitor centre
  • there is easy walking along signposted paths

 

the replica horse gin

The replica horse gin in Middleton Park
(but no horse to work it!)

Historic features ...

  • signs of the old coal mining activities
    • some date back to the seventeenth century
  • in particular "bell pits", where coal had been dug out
    • long before mine shafts or tunnels
    • depressions shaped like an up-turned bell
  • also a replica horse gin
    • for winding coal up an early mine shaft
  • marked trails to help you explore

 

passengers at Park Halt

Passengers at Park Halt,
watching the locomotive run round the train.

Friends of Middleton Park ...

  • support the park’s development
  • organise a programme of special events
  • for more information ...

Special Events

 

 

a mixed train

A mixed train being run as part of a special event

Special train services that we run ...

  • using some of our heritage diesel locomotives
  • or mixed trains, with goods wagons as well as passenger coaches
  • or special attractions ...
    • our model railway exhibition
    • walks on the old mining trails
    • gala events

 

 

 

a decorated party coach

The saloon coach decorated for a party.
The table at the end can be used for catering

Party trains ...

  • hire a coach for a birthday (or other) party ...
    • it will be reserved for your use
    • morning, afternoon or all day
    • we will decorate the coach and set up a table
    • you organise your own catering
  • Coach tours ...
    • we can make special arrangements for these

Refreshments and Souvenirs

the cafe and shop

The café and shop

a stand of cakes

Temptation in the café

Our Café and Shop ...

  • sit down with a welcome cup of tea or coffee
    • or a variety of other drinks (hot or cold)
    • but not alcoholic - we are not licenced
  • plus sweets, cakes or other light refreshments
  • browse our range of souvenirs
    • including books
    • and especially "Bert's Tales of Middleton"
    • DVDs and videos
    • and other toys

For Enthusiasts

 

 

a volunteer at work

A volunteer member at work

Of special interest ...

  • our hugely important history
  • our collection of Leeds-built locomotives
  • our publications about these
  • becoming a member, or
  • becoming a working volunteer

More Information

 Other pages of our site ...