The World's Oldest Working Railway!

Middleton Railway in Leeds is the oldest working railway in the world, founded in 1758. Now run by a volunteer organisation and open to the public, we take a look at how it began as a wagonway and developed through the years to the present day.
We take a ride on the steam train along it's entire route, and explore what remains of the rest of the route from Hunslet to the top of Middleton Park.
The Middleton Steam Railway built for the Middleton Colliery was the first railway to be authorised by Act of Parliament in 1758. It was built to a gauge of 4 ft 1 in to carry coal from the pits owned by Charles John Brandling to Leeds. Not all the land belonged to Brandling and the Act gave him power to obtain wayleave. Otherwise the line was privately financed and operated, initially as a wagonway using horse-drawn vehicles.
Around 1807 the wooden tracks began to be replaced with edge rails.
In 1812 the Middleton Steam Railway became the first railway to commercially use steam locomotives. John Blenkinsop the colliery's viewer, or manager, decided that an engine light enough not to break the track would not have sufficient adhesion. Accordingly he re-laid the track on one side with a toothed rail, which he patented in 1811, and approached Matthew Murray of Fenton, Murray and Wood to design a locomotive with a pinion which would mesh with it.
VIDEO INFORMATION CREDITS & THANK YOU'S
Middleton Railway
Friends of Middleton Park
Kris Ward
Ian Smith
Leeds Library & Information Services
Sheila Bye
Steve Sainsbury - Rail Thing
WEBSITE - www.adventureme...
MERCH - shop.adventurem...
FACEBOOK - adventuremeyt
INSTAGRAM - adventuremeyt
SUPPORT THE ADVENTURE
★ MEMBERSHIP - www.youtube.com...
★ PATREON - / adventureme
★ DONATION - paypal.me/adventureme
★ WISH LIST - www.amazon.co....
★ SUBSCRIBE - www.youtube.co...
EQUIPMENT USED - Buy from Amazon links below, and generate a little kick back for the channel.
GoPro Hero 9 Black Camera - amzn.to/2HLYJMq
GoPro Max 360 Camera - amzn.to/37Riux7
GoPro Mic Adapter - amzn.to/3e5uFaZ
GoPro Light Mod - amzn.to/34BHSF6
DJI Mavic Mini Drone - amzn.to/34BIhaA
RØDE Lavalier GO - amzn.to/2BLuN0F
RØDE Wireless Go - amzn.to/2ClPsbe
Chest Camera Mount - amzn.to/3gNvdCx
Camera Backpack - amzn.to/2ZSvDQX
Video Editing Software Guide Book - amzn.to/3gzWsAi
TITLE TRACK
Song: Rameses B - There For You [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.
Watch: • Rameses B - There For ...
Download/Stream: ncs.io/ThereFor...
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
A special thank you to all video content film makers and photographers who's footage or pictures are featured in this video. These videos are made under Fair Use for educational purposes. All contributors and available links to their work can be seen in the videos description.
#adventureme #exploration #history #abandoned

[@barrybaldwin296]

Brilliant video my old stomping ground in the fifties the old photos bring back so many memories keep up the good work

[@billybritvic5500]

Nice one Darren. I have been visiting Miggy rail since 1960. It's one of my favourite bits of Leeds history. I lived in the house at the top of the ropehill, in fact my parents turned the old pit office into the first shop in the old village 1958. Stay safe, hope to meet one day.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes Billy. Very soon I hope.

[@martinmarsola6477]

A great video about the oldest working railway. Thanks buddy.

[@philsmodelrailway232]

great video Darren ,lovely plug for Middleton railway nice to see covid hasn’t killed them off

[@AdventureMe]

And I got a nice trip out of it. I think it's worth promoting heritage things like this, can only make them better for us in the long run. It's still going strong, they are just waiting to get going again in spring.

[@PK_Blinder]

First off just like to thank you for all the videos that you put up on this channel. Found you at the start of the first lockdown and been watching ever since. Anyway, Im a HGV driver and my first drop this morning was at a builders merchant in Hunslet. Thought that rings a bell and then remembered all your videos. Anyway was parked in the builders merchant and looked over the fence and saw the sign for Moor Road... The penny dropped. Im now watching all the Middleton Railway ones again... Top work and keep it up..👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come.

[@paulhuggan-cammack2928]

I used to live next to the Broom incline. You were stood next to our house. As a kid, the incline and track were still there. The winding house was further back on the other side of Town Street. The shops sit on the site of the winding house. Broom Colliery was also still in place, though I can't remember if it was still working or not. I spent many hours playing in 'Miggy Woods', fishing in the park pond and in a pond we called 'Ballywack'. My father is buried in the church by Middleton park. Fascinating series, keep up the good work!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Thanks Darren that was absolutely fantastic. Have so enjoyed that. Just love those steam trains. Thanks so much for taking me along and p,ease take care

[@AdventureMe]

Very welcome

[@garysmith2845]

Only just come across your channel and having a right binge watch! I’m a West Yorkshire lad myself and been and seen to many of the places in your videos and know many more you’ve not done a video on!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Gary, and welcome aboard. Plenty more to come.

[@timsully8958]

Great to see a video about Middleton. Fascinating line and you are right to highlight it! ☺ Nice job as ever 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Did you see my other Middleton videos?

[@timsully8958]

@@AdventureMe: yes mate. The stuff about the tramway was interesting as I knew nothing of it! 😎 Keep meaning to drag the missus up for a tour of W Yorks. I lived in Oakworth once upon a time so I really want her to see where I grew up. Bloomin’ Covid has put that on pause sadly 🤨 Cheers mate, look forward to the next one 😎

[@trainsinkansas576]

Even though I haven't felt very good the last several days, your video perked me up. Great video. Meriden, Kansas

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jerry. Hope you feel better soon.

[@matt_armstrong]

Threw me a bit at the start when I could see both your hands at the same time :) . I also saw one of your favourites, a concrete posts when you reached the main line. Great video.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. I do have two hands lol.

[@annabellowman6151]

Brilliant. Thanks for your efforts, I was just reading about the Middleton railway in the latest edition of The Railway Magazine. You have really put the location in context. Many thanks

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@davidnm21]

Fascinating and interesting Darren thank you

[@barnstoneworth11]

Great vid. I volunteered on the railway in the 80s and remember working goods trains (scrap from the works on Garnet Street) down to Hunslet yard on the Midland line

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Glad you liked. Don't forget part 2, heading into Leeds.

[@Fred-rj3er]

Brilliant. Thank you. Need to visit "Miggy" railway again n take mi grandkids. Be a nice trip out.

[@WmDavidHarrison]

Another fascinating vlog. Was last on the Middleton railway in 1986 so much has changed, you've whetted my appetite for another visit.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks! You should give it another try, much more relics there now.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous. You made in enthralling. Didn’t want it to end. Thank you

[@AdventureMe]

You’re welcome 😊

[@graemehannam3950]

Absolutely fantastic video thanks, it's amazing how much historical information you tell us about the places you visit, it shows how much you put in to them finding out about the places you go to keep the videos coming and stay safe looking forward to your next vlog

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Graeme, I do spend a lot of time researching, but it's all worth it.

[@paulberen]

@@AdventureMe All good info, but missing some maps, and missing the HUNSLET locomotives, that still run all round the world; and Hunslet engines and machines still made in Hunslet.. Hunslet Carr, (Carr is a marsh) is now Lake Park, the lake filled in now, but this is next to the Middleton Railway, town end. The Engine pub echoes the history, as does The Prospect, (?)referring to the Middleton Moor Coal. A first ever road of Leeds is Hunslet Road, to the first bridge over the Aire in Leeds, Leeds Bridge; and to the south or eastwards, to earlier crossing places at Pontefract. (Normandy French for 'broken bridge' - discovered by William 1066 as remains of a Roman Bridge there). Following Hunslet Road towards Castleford and Pontefract, there is a road sign saying Hunslet Town, with a Morrisons and some shops, where the 'town' used to be, when outside of Leeds; and the road continuing on to a roundabout and Motorway. But continuing on the road line is where The Middleton Railway, main station, museum and cafe is located. First engine powered railway in the world, may be a bit difficullt to say; and a bit picky to say no, the Middleton Railway was NOT the first commercial railway ever, but there were railways here, there and everywhere, before this; or called wagon ways, as fleetingly mentioned in the vid. And so railway line wagon ways had their wagons pulled along by horses, until Richard Trevethick in Cornwall considered how expensive replacement injured horses were, so turned one of the huge 80 to 90 inch diameter piston steam engines used for pumping water out of mines, and miniaturised, and put on wheels, to replace the vulnerable horses. The rest is history, so to speak, and so the Middleton Railway / Wagonway was not the first horse-drawn wagonway to convert to steam; but it is the oldest steam / commercial railway still running.. Not confirmed, but heard that when in a semi derelict state, a group of students gave their lives to this railway, and who are still there, and making it the oldest and still running, engine powered railway. The Middleton Wagonway was first built in 1755, and turned to steam in 1812, by Salamanca, the steam locomotive made in nearby Holbeck, Leeds.

[@joshwhiteley2449]

As you come out of the tunnel coming away from the station, the line to your right was the Dartmouth Branch, which led to the old engine shed on Garnet Road to a place called Clayton's I believe. That's all been relandscaped too. With the Midland and GNR lines, I actually forget how many connections Middleton Railway had. Great video as always!

[@AdventureMe]

I saw a picture of Claytons Yard today funny enough.

[@evan123455]

Great video Darren , really enjoyed it. Thanks

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@tonystack7375]

Great videos Darren I’ve watch them all .keep them coming

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Tony. I will

[@anthonyellis987]

That was chuffing interesting. Great video.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Anthony

[@krisward8069]

If you ever want to do a sequel, there are a few sights of the course the line followed between Moor Road and the coal staithes on Kidacre Street in Leeds. Also not far from the site of the coal staithes is the Round Foundry site where the 1812 steam locos were built.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes please. That's the bit that's missing.

[@bobingram6912]

Nice one Darren, that was really interesting, espesh having a ride on instead of the usual watch it from the trackside shots👍🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it was, loved the ride.

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Thanks Darren! Another great video.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@davidbond1519]

Another excellent informative video

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks David.

[@bustermustaffa6594]

Almost 263 years old lol Another amazing video from are fastest growing youtuber keep up the outstanding work. P.s just a thought Daz could we have 3 videos in a row I.e Xmas eve, Xmas & boxing day

[@AdventureMe]

You are getting 12 in a row from next Sunday 13th until 24th. Not explores though.

[@jetcat120]

Great video, I lived in the Longroyds in the 80’s and walked along that line many times and back then the stadium didn’t exist.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Phillip.

[@bigmonkey999888]

Hi Darren, how fascinating, 2 years ago watched a train on the Tulip park branch turning around to pull the coaches back to the station Steve

[@AdventureMe]

Brilliant. Looks like it hasn't been used in a while.

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Thank you Darren 👍

[@carolingtonb1749]

Great video, a blast from the past. I used to live near Moor Road and used to walk my dog along the railway line into Miggy woods. It wasn't a great period of my live so a bit weird to see all that.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@edgar180]

Another great video. Only came across your channel a few months ago looking at the pleasure beach. Of you like railways you should check out the ravensglass and eskdale railway in Cumbria. It's an old miniature working like that would make great content

[@chriggle1]

My brother and his wife held their 10th wedding anniversary party at the Middleton railway 2 years ago, which included a ride on the train. It’s a beautiful little place. The cafe area let them bring in a hog roast burger caterer and my brother’s band played in the next room with the engines in.

[@AdventureMe]

Sounds amazing.

[@timstephenson4520]

Another fascinating glimpse into our industrial past.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Tim.

[@patrickbagnano1561]

Awesome. Just sat down with my first cup of morning coffee. Perfect timing chap.

[@AdventureMe]

Perfect!

[@bigg7047]

My family are from belle isle just around the corner. My mum and dad went to to Hunslet Nash school. They also have a famous Rugby League club.

[@markb9013]

Awesome video.. Thank you so much.

[@AdventureMe]

Our pleasure!

[@anitamuffitt1133]

I lived in Hunslet as a child and watched the trains on this railway line. Used to take coal from the mines down to the main railway line. Good times

[@AdventureMe]

Must have been great to witness.

[@anitamuffitt1133]

@@AdventureMe Yeah it was, had many walks up that line with my Dad and then with my own children.

[@andrewmaurerandrew6801]

Quality top man keep them coming 👍👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@timothyhopkins6960]

Fascinating trains a wonderful video.

[@a11csc]

i have seen lots of activity on line months ago and what a triple whammy 1 great vid as always 2 lovely engines on display. 3 sierra sapphire hopefully cosworth end to a perfect day

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@geoffas]

I attended Middleton C of E junior school on Town St in the 1960s. The school was close-by to the remains of the operating gear and I trudged up and down Rope Hill thousands of times on my way to and from school. The tops of some of the walls in the area are capped with rounded-top stone sleepers which were, probably, from the waggonway's track-bed.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@kylekaye9147]

We spent many good years in the 90s playing here as kids. Hiding in the tunnel for when the train came tho. Was alot different back then! Remember a single platform with lines of locos and rolling stock running along the back

[@kylekaye9147]

Grew up on Blakeney Road so only a short walk over the fields

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@greg221b]

Fabulous video, very thorough and interesting. Must be wonderful to have such history within reach. :)

[@AdventureMe]

It is, and still not touched most of it yet.

[@likewise667]

Grew up here, walked along those tracks as a kid, rode the train, played sports next it, school next to it and as I grew up walked across it everyday for work in the said retail park 😂

[@AdventureMe]

Covered it all by the sounds of it lol

[@rodneyhutchinson1495]

Also to add on a 1905 Hunslet map that where the current headquarters of the Middleton Railway is located the line split, one as on the video crossing Moor Road and down to the main Midland Railway, the other went straight forward into a coal depot on the other side of the road from Hunslet Moor Station, then onto towards Hunslet Junction in the direction of Leeds crossing Moor Road again. This part is now covered by the inner motorway.

[@AdventureMe]

Cheers Rodney, I will be covering this in a part 2.

[@MickCampin-jp9kb]

You should see the remains of the railways around Sunderland. They go both dow to the docks and inland to the old collieries

[@theerondevie9051]

When I left school at the end of the 70s I got an engineering apprenticeship in that area on your pic where the tulip park is now was all engineering works in your pics. That was a large company of Claytons engineering and a subsidiary of Claytons was Henry Berry's and my apprenticeship was a part of that. My father worked at the Hunslet engine company who built trains on jack Lane site not far from there

[@AdventureMe]

I covered the Hunslet engine works in another video I did.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Really good video. Thanks for the great watch.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Speak soon.

[@Endrju8287]

Great video , thank you

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you too!

[@blueskyes071]

They do use the "disused" section, usually at special events - it's usually referred to as the "Balm Road Branch", and at some events trains will run up to the Park station, back down, and carry on down to the run round loop you were walking on. At other events they sometimes run separate trains in each direction.

[@AdventureMe]

Brilliant. I didn't know that.

[@blueskyes071]

I can't imagine there's been much, if anything, run down there in 2020 though - which would explain the plant growth, and rail tops can go rusty in a few weeks, sometimes less in the right conditions.

[@leew2199]

Great videos on my doorstep cheers 👍👍👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@ABlackburn00]

Fantastic video 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 World history 1 Mile from where I grew up. Though I didn’t of a lot of information in this video, so thanks for doing the research again and the picture fade were excellent. I also went to John Blenkinsop school, which is linked to the railway. Thanks Darren

[@AdventureMe]

Very cool! Thanks mate.

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hello Darren I've just watched your video on the Middleton railway yet again very interesting never been on it but I know where it is next year hopefully when we get back to some normality I'll take my granddaughter there looking forward to seeing your next video all the best kevin

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Kevin. She will love the train ride.

[@shauntodd7123]

Darren abslutly oustanding. Another great video.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Shaun. One of my faves.

[@trevormegson7583]

Fantastic vid, cheers Darren. I can't help feeling that some of the relics you find dotted about housing estates etc. ought to be listed. They are the remnants of the "Roman walls" of the Industrial Revolution.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I agree.

[@quickclipsbyjmj]

Enjoyed a trip on this train, during the 2017 National Open Heritage weekend. I recommend everyone goes.

[@AdventureMe]

We agree!

[@rodneyhutchinson1495]

Great video just to add that the old photo you show of “line crossing Tulip Street now retail” was originally Gasholder Street and on the left hand side of the photo is the old Gasholder and Boiler works, you can see a set of points just past the crossing going left into the works. Also on the left hand side you can see a footpath running down the side of the works. My wife’s uncle lived on Gasholder Place.

[@highpath4776]

thanks, the railway likes to connect with the local community, stories and memories always worth sending a letter in, meanwhile visit the website to order a copy of the book on the mines and railway of the area.

[@Wedgedoow]

Such an interesting video, our to do list when things get back to normality is growing.

[@AdventureMe]

Go for it!

[@breakingtoast2255]

Incredible this railway is in prestine condition

[@annwalker1998]

when i was at school in the 60s my friend was a member of the railway then they were in a yard to the right claytons was the company whos yard there trains was in , they used to take claytons goods down to the main line were you went then a british rail train picked them up to take them were ever they were going , then they would take empty wagons back to claytons for loading perhaps they did that for free rent , claytons yard i think is now robinson and beardsal which is still there or simmingtons to the left as you go up garnet road

[@highpath4776]

Yes, the freight traffic stopped mainly because of BR ceasing wagon load freighting on the main lines.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ann

[@craigstringwell6058]

We were only down there the other day shopping. Never knew that was there!

[@AdventureMe]

Me neither until this year.

[@suesmith4366]

Loved it, amazing History 😎

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Nice video. I thought when I first saw you , that Andrea Davizioso of Moto GP fame, was making a railway film !!😆

[@AdventureMe]

Haha. I'll take that as a compliment until I have a look at him lol

[@highpath4776]

Worth taking a look at the railways , and other industry, of Armley Mills ?

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Mate, I will be doing. I've got it on my list. Keep watching.

[@Ghost-vl1so]

Love your vids. Would love to join you on one of your adventures

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Let me know if you have any suggestions for explores.

[@simontay4851]

Its good that they keep the track in good condition even though they don't use it often. When was the last time any trains ran on it.

[@AdventureMe]

Daily pretty much. But reduced service during covid.

[@clivebroadhead4381]

I think the first train on the West Yorkshire rapid transit should be named "Darren" in honour of the pioneering surveying you have done to recover the urban rail network.

[@highpath4776]

The Balm Road branch connection to NR tracks is not feasible to use for main line connections due to signalling issues and minimum trainload sector movements unfortunatley. Had the leeds tramway project happened and changes to the freightliner depot occured then maybe additional length or usage could have been used. There may yet be more changes depending on routing of HS2 extensions in Leeds.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the info.

[@highpath4776]

@@AdventureMe One ad appeared on your latest vid for technology wheel detectors that could deal basically with a unimog or other rail adapted vehicle as a unit, so why NR track circuits are so out of date / designed for certain things I dont know

[@jean-paulmasse1091]

Very interesting !

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you think so!

[@paulhebden3934]

Got a picture of the track ( incline) where it crossed Town Street Middleton. Only a small piece that was exposed when a pothole appeared in the Tarmac surface.

[@AdventureMe]

Ohh can I see it? [e-mail]

[@highpath4776]

Interesting, this could have been either the Leeds City Tramways track, or 'The Old Run' being one of the waggonway routes when the line was horse drawn. The alignments of the running line from the colliery changed over the years with needs and separation of the incline ropehauled part as well.

[@89ykraps]

Great vid Darren, thank you. But definitely not Dec. 6 weather in that video!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Steven, no definitely isn't December. This was filmed in July I think.

[@clivebroadhead4381]

Could the Middleton railway be included in the promised West Yorkshire rapid transit as well as continuing as a great little heritage line?

[@NJBamforth67]

Brilliant been past railway at Moor Road I deliver at a firm down there in wagon. And when I do past the Middleton Railway I always say to myself have to do Photoshoot xx 🚂🛤️📸😀

[@AdventureMe]

Sounds great! You should do. Wait for the sun though.

[@timwaywell]

great stuff... I was wondering if you knew what dates the colliery and the cable hauled section of the line were in use from ? any dates on the old photos you showed ?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Tim. I believe it was a mid 1800's start date, and closed in the 1960's I believe for the cabled section. The colliery was the same. Those pictures were the 1950's I was told.

[@timwaywell]

@@AdventureMe cheers

[@paulnutter1713]

They run services on the full line over moor rd now and again.

[@AdventureMe]

I would love to see that.

[@swagmanandy]

Awesome, I can see it from my bedroom window!

[@scaleop4]

good stuff

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Down there today filming a follow up.

[@Kivetonandrew]

A bit different to when I visited in 1974. Then you rode in open mineral wagons!

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah they had to take them off. But they are still there.

[@A4UOSA]

My local heritage railway was built in 1725 25 years before the Middleton but if we do the maths the tanfeild railway has been open more years than Middleton even after closing for a few years

[@AdventureMe]

I didn't write the claim. But they seem to be confident they are the oldest operating.

[@A4UOSA]

They seem it but they only think that because they got approved by the goverment when the goverment was in charge of railway building but in 1725 it was private and was authorised by the owners

[@frogandspanner]

13:08 What's the date of that photograph? I grew up around there in the mid to late '50s, and can't remember track going down there. I remember a derelict building towards the top, behind the coal merchant. Track began well down the slope. I remember walking under some structure. I also have vague memories of a large rusty pulley around there. I speak too soon - 15:09 - I think that's what I remember - but not as intact as in the photo. But as a 6 year old I didn't really understand the significance of what I was seeing. I look forward to the Broom Pit video. Our next door neighbour was a miner there. He would get free coal, and pass some on to us. We lived in the flats in Newhall Crescent, at the foot of Newhall Bank. Ground floor, far left. When you went into the flat from the communal area, immediately to the right was the coil 'oil, and beyond that the unheated bathroom. Grand.

[@AdventureMe]

I think that was from the 1950's.

[@richardsimpson9129]

suprised you havent done the manor farm rise and the joining steps that was the original tracks for the coal trollys that were pulled up by steam engine and the old manor gate houses that are on town street

[@AdventureMe]

I did. It's at the end of this video. Not the Manor house gates though.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Amazing where does the line that veered off go to ?

[@AdventureMe]

It used to go to some old works down there. Now it's just a siding for storage.

[@hoppinonabronzeleg9477]

Yes it is a common misconception that the Stockton to Darlington was the first railway. But this pre-dated it. It had Cast iron rails which had to have very close placed sleepers. But This was the first

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mate. That's what they told me anyway lol

[@blackshadow228]

Home Love it Love it’s history ..........hate the fly tipping 😡

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I agree Ian. It's everywhere.

[@2025SPACEDUDE]

Wow i didn’t know my home city had the oldest railway in the world

[@AdventureMe]

It sure does. And most steam engines in the world were built in Leeds.

[@2025SPACEDUDE]

😍😍😍

[@granvillefoster6719]

Another great story, so interesting, must go back there some day.

[@AdventureMe]

You should, it's very well run now.

[@seany84uk]

i keep meaninng to get to this little railway but my plans never work out and living in halifax it isnt far!!!

[@AdventureMe]

Yes you should. Straight off the motorway.

[@DAVIDPACEYPHOTOGRAPHY]

Have you been to Crossgates train station

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. Not for a while though. Why?

[@DAVIDPACEYPHOTOGRAPHY]

There was a goods yard there.

[@jasinere35]

hate to break it to you but george stephenson built the worlds first locomotive & the commercial railway took place between darlington & stockton on tees

[@AdventureMe]

The reasons I was given is that it was the first railway to obtain an act of Parliament and is still operating today in its original location. Tanfield is operating on a later part of the route today. So Tanfield may be the first railway, but this is the world's oldest "working" railway as my title says. I'm only reporting what I'm told by the owners, so please be gentle with me lol. There's even theories that the Romans used a form of railway to transport things so technically they would be the first. But we won't go there in this video.

[@jasinere35]

@@AdventureMe wagon way means horse drawn so its deffo the first railway but not the first steam passenger & if steam was used for this one its likely to have been the mechanical winder that winches the wagons up the hill however althou in not entirely sure but george stephenson didnt patent his loco so there may have been others duplicating some of the parts so while he may have built the first passenger steamtrain others would have been doing the exact same thing in different areas of the country, im not trying to prove you wrong its just that having been born in the town where the railway originally started this is the only bit of history i got taught oh & the original trackbed still stands today

[@jasinere35]

tanfield was a mineral line if you follow the route it ends at what i believe at several coal mines & some quarries & its neighour was built on a driftmine beamish open air museum

[@AdventureMe]

Just been told that the Tanfield line was abandoned for a period and not operating. Which is why the Middleton is the oldest working railway. Its operated continuously since day one.

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

I did my PTS there

[@southleedsmemories2686]

Time to make a brew, methinks. I have posted it to our group Darren, I hope you don't mind? ( S. Ford )

[@AdventureMe]

Not at all. Thanks.

[@jackthelad5366]

You’re just outside “Leeds city centre” if you were just outside Leeds you’d be in Wakefield or Bradford

[@allenhughes867]

THE MIDDLETON LIGHT RAILWAY.

[@AdventureMe]

Nothing light about these things. I wouldn't want to be run over by one lol

[@busstation2]

I am confused i live in Newcastle upon tyne and tanfield railway is reputedly the world oldest

[@AdventureMe]

It confused me too. But this one is still operating. The Tanfield one closed for a long period. I think thats what it is.

[@malcolmbrown3532]

Sorry Darren, but the Tanfield Railway was opened in 1725. A good 33 years before Middleton.......

[@AdventureMe]

The reasons I was given is that it was the first railway to obtain an act of Parliament and is still operating today in its original location. Tanfield is operating on a later part of the route today. So Tanfield may be the first railway, but this is the world's oldest "working" railway as my title says. I'm only reporting what I'm told by the owners, so please be gentle with me lol. There's even theories that the Romans used a form of railway to transport things so technically they would be the first. But we won't go there in this video.

[@AdventureMe]

Just been told that the Tanfield line was also abandoned for a period and not operating. Which is why the Middleton is the oldest working railway. Its operated continuously since day one.

[@JohnSmith-pd1fz]

Oh Dear! Something else which is older than America.

[@AdventureMe]

Puts it into perspective when you think of it like that. How old this actually is.

[@bulwinkle]

I remember riding the line in a brake van drawn by an LNER tram engine class either Y1 or Y3 I the early 1970s. I cannot remember which it was.

[@AdventureMe]

Brilliant.

[@monkeboi33]

Bro this is 2 minutes from my house

[@AdventureMe]

Not far from me either

[@TICdoes_stuff]

tanfield railway is older