The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway is pleased to announce that, following the submission for a Transport & Works Act Order, the application was approved on the 21st February 2025 by the Secretary of State for Transport. This means is that the Middy can operate trains over the full length of its line, already laid. Of course, this is subject to various existing planning permissions. Also the maintenance and operation of the level crossing over the public footpath has to be carried out as required by the Office of Road & Rail.

The opening weekend for the public will be 2nd and 3rd August.

The extension will give visitors a return ride of almost two kilometres in the Middy’s Victorian 4-wheeled steam hauled trains along the original track alignment through countryside served by the MSLR between 1908 and 1952. This is more than double the length of the previous Middy ride. So it will give passengers a real feel of train travel during the early part of the 20th century. As the terrain is, in railway terms, either side of a marked dip, there is plenty for a steam engine to do in both directions.

In the meantime the Middy team has to organise the training of footplate staff’s ‘route learning’ programme. This is not as easy as it might seem. (Think of water moving up and down in a steam locos boiler due to dips on the line.) Plus, MSLR staff who will be responsible for the secure operation of trains over the level crossing, are completing their training.

MSLR volunteers are also going on with preparing the groundwork for the planned ‘destination’ station, Aspall Halt. This may not be ready by the time trains begin running. Nonetheless the main attraction is the ride through the open Suffolk countryside. This development will make the Middy a great railway journey for Suffolk. Particularly for the younger generations, it will enable people to experience a real rural railway.

This weekend the MSLR is open from 10.30 to 16.30. Tickets are the normal £12.00 adult, £6.00 child under 16, family (2+2) £30.00 and concessions over 65 £10.00. Tickets will be available through the web site and at the ticket office on the day.