Middleton Railway 1758

occupation:
Heritage railway,
Railway company
Nationality:
British
born in:
Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

The world's oldest working railway line which now runs as a heritage railway. Runs 1 mile of track from Head quarters at Hunslet, Leeds to Park Halt on the outskirts of Middleton Park. It was the first railway to be granted powers by the Act of Parliament in 1758. 4ft 1 in gauge to carry coal from Middleton Pits by owner Charles Brandling to Leeds. In 1812 it was the first railway to successfully use steam locomotives commercially. In 1960 it was taken over to become a heritage railway.