Countdown to weekend opening of Mid Suffolk Light Railway track extension, at Brockford Station, Wetheringsett

A milestone day is fast approaching for a rural heritage railway.

Visitors to Mid-Suffolk Light Railway – known as the ‘Middy’ – at Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, will soon be able to enjoy train rides twice the length of those which have been available before now, after approval was granted for an extension to the line.

And this weekend – August 2 and 3 – that extension will finally open to the public at a special weekend to mark the milestone.

In February, after a transport and works act order was submitted, the railway was granted approval by the Secretary of State for Transport to operate trains over the full length of its line – already laid – subject to various existing planning permissions and to maintain and operate the footpath level crossing.

The new extension will give visitors a return ride of almost 2km in the Middy’s Victorian four-wheeled steam-hauled trains along the original track alignment, through countryside served by the railway between 1908 and 1952.

This is more than double the length of the previous Middy ride and will give passengers a feel of train travel in the early part of the 20th century.

Following February’s announcement, the Middy team has been organising the training of footplate staff in the route learning programme and Middy staff who will be responsible for the operation of trains over the level crossing.

Volunteers have also been preparing the groundwork for the planned ‘destination’ station at Aspall Halt. Although this may not be ready by opening weekend, the main attraction for visitors will be the extended ride through the open Suffolk countryside.

A Middy spokesman said: “This development will make the Middy a great railway journey for Suffolk and, particularly for the younger generations, the chance to experience a real rural railway.”

The railway extension opening weekend is on August 2 and 3, 10.30am-4.30pm.