Too Little? Too Late!

My Bank Holiday excursion was to an event entitled 'Middy at War'.  An intriguing title, you might think, until you realise that the war was World War II, and 'Middy' is the affectionate name given to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway.  The event combined a WWII commemoration, giving local enthusiasts the opportunity to dress up and show off their preserved artefacts, with a chance to enjoy the wonderful achievements over 25 years of a band of steam railway aficionados who have re-created - almost from nothing: see the picture below - the image of a railway that had been extinct for 40 years.

Sandbags and steam: 'Middy at War'

The result was an unexpectedly enjoyable time sampling the perhaps inappropriate juxtaposition of twin themes that, separately, intrigue and delight me ... and for once, the weather didn't spoil things, either!

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway was late on the scene compared to the heyday of railway building in the Victorian era.  It wasn't until the passing of the Light Railways Act in 1896 that the scheme was even considered possible.  The original intention was to link a number of villages in the agricultural Suffolk heartland to the nationwide railway network that had developed by the end of the nineteenth century.  The main route would be from Haughley to Halesworth, with a branch from Kenton to join the east Suffolk line just north of Ipswich, and a further link from Debenham joining the main line to Norwich at Needham Market.  This latter arm had already been discarded as being too adventurous before the company was formed in 1901.

There were disputes with contractors, and financial problems but eventually a goods service was opened between Haughley and Laxfield in 1904.  The marshy terrain west of Halesworth posed further difficulties, and only a further 2 miles or so of track was laid as far as Cratfield by the time the general shortage of funds, together with the bankruptcy of the chairman, led to a receiver being called in during 1907.  The original intention had been to delay passenger services until the whole system had been constructed.  Now, however, it was decided to utilise what had been achieved, and a passenger service between Haughley and Laxfield commenced in September 1908.

Mendlesham station c.1909; the building
forms the heart of MSLR today

A basic pattern of about three trains each way per day was established.  The main business was provided by the local farms, taking away cattle, sheep, barley, potatoes and other crops, and bringing farm supplies, machinery, seed potatoes, etc. Passenger traffic mainly comprised children going to school and farmers to market, but featured the occasional excursion from these rural villages to the seaside at Felixstowe or Clacton, which was all some families could afford as an annual treat.

The last arrival at Laxfield, 1952

With an annual turnover about the time of the First World War of little over £5,000 and costs amounting to over 90% of that, compared to an overall investment that exceeded £200,000, it can be seen that there was little future for the line.  It became part of the LNER in 1924, but faced a steady decline as the speed limit of 25 mph, and lengthy shunting delays added to the threat of road competition.  Brief respite was afforded during WWII as a result of a nearby aerodrome, but the line was closed in July 1952.

Horham station, c.1982

In 1990, a group of enthusiasts formed the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Society.  They were able to lease the former good yard at Brockford and, starting with the bush-covered hump that had once been the cattle loading bank, the only relic of Brockford station, they began collecting the remaining derelict buildings and equipment from all the other stations along the line.  Gradually, as opportunity, finance and labour has become available, they have added this and restored that and the result is a working tourist attraction that is now on the brink of further expansion along the old track-bed.  They also have hopes of one day restoring their own locomotive.

Steam comes to the MSLR again