The Middleton Railway has been given a national award for locomotive restoration for its return to working order of a historic Leeds built locomotive.

Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST "MATTHEW MURRAY", which was built in 1903, was returned to working order in 2001 after an extensive overhaul, which included the provision of a brand new boiler, built in Yorkshire. The locomotive was first restored in 1996 but was found to need a new boiler. The Middleton Railway decided to build a riveted boiler instead of a cheaper, welded, one despite the absence of any grant aid.

For these reasons, the Heritage Railway Association, trade organisation for all preserved railways in the UK, decided to award the "John Coiley Award for Locomotive restoration" to the MRT for its restoration of "MATTHEW MURRAY". John Coiley was the first Keeper of the National Railway Museum at York and upon his death a specific award for locomotive restoration was set up in his honour. The Middleton Railway is the second organisation to win the award since its inception in 2000.

The Railway is proud and delighted to receive this prestigious award, which is a great reflection on the many volunteers who worked so hard to return this historic locomotive to full working condition ready to take passengers for a ride on the World’s Oldest Railway. The Middleton Railway is a charity run by volunteers only. This demonstrates that volunteer base organisation can achieve great results.

Please click here for further information about the locomotive.

March 2002