Corn and Coal, Mid Suffolk Light Railway
 

We had a delightful day at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway today, please note the Corn and Coal event is repeated next Sunday too (4th November). The Mid Suffolk is hidden away just off the A140 at Brockford Green near the Mendlesham mast. We drove Oliver with the Marshall drum over yesterday in dreadful weather conditions with a couple of sunny breaks in the hail and rain..

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/12/141_0130.jpg

Taking on water at Finningham Water Tower en route saturday, a brief bit of sun on an otherwise foul day...

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/12/141_0131.jpg

At Brockford Station

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/12/141_0132.jpg

Check out the spark arrester!! A faithfull copy of the original which the loco carried at Wissonsett sugar beet factory. Manufactured by yours truly.

http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/tti/12/141_0133.jpg

The Mid Suffolk Light Railway, is a recreation of a short stretch of line along the route of the old MSLRly (locally refered to as the Middy)which originally went from Haughley Junction across the fields (well almost) to Laxfield a route of some 20 miles, the original aim to get to Halesworth fell short by only a few miles. The long term aims of the MSLR Society is to extend the track further along it's original bed, which still survives in the undergrowth
between the fields.
My mother was on the last run on the Middy in July 1952. Unfortunately the inclement weather put her off joining us today, but the event is repeated next Sunday when she hopes to be there.

Well worth a visit.

JW

Hi Jonathan, You seem to get to some nice places with your engine! What are the , presumably, four wheel carriges in the platform, are they originals?

Hi Jim. they are original GER carriages which have spent thier retired lives on farms or as summer houses in gardens. They have been lovingly restored and mounted on four wheel wagon chassis, with great effect.

They are made from teak, so are often quite sound.

The MSLRly is well worth a visit! I'll get a few more pictures next Sunday 4th. Hopefully the weather will be kinder...

Yes we dont 'do' many rallies with Oliver, finding the smaller fetes and fairs more enjoyable, Dorset being the exception of course. The saw bench is always popular, but an important point is I could not do it with out the help of friends and family.

Cheers

JW