Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

04/06/2026

Friday is looking like it may well be a dry day in between the showery days. The beers this week are Victoria Bitter 3.6%, Brandeston Gold 4.5% and Gannet Mildv3.3%. Ciders from Burnards Oaky Dokey (medium)5.5%, Red Rosie (sweet) 5.2% and Fox (dry) 6.0%.

This Sunday the railway has a new visitor running. A Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus. These ran on branch lines including the Witham and Maldon, Braintree and also Saffron Walden.

03/06/2026

June Railbus Month 7 June 2026 - 28 June 2026 A brand new event for the Middy.

Just supposing the MSLR had remained open for a little while longer. Could a new form of traction have saved the Middy? Well perhaps this will be the chance to find out.

For the four Sunday openings during June 2026 we will be running Waggon & Maschinenbau (W & M) 4-wheel diesel railbus E79963 to Aspall Halt and back so visitors can experience what the previous generations never could, the comfort and efficiency of a modern railbus gliding through the Suffolk countryside.

The Railbus is coming to us from the East Anglian Railway Museum and will be driven by their volunteers and will be the first ever scheduled revenue earning diesel to perform on the Middy. The only diesel ever to run on original Middy rails was a Ruston & Hornsby 48 owned by the contractors employed to lift the old line.

Come and join us for this special month of Sundays, the last of which – 28th June – will also be our very popular Vintage Bus Day as well.

02/06/2026

Just like the 1950s ... The Wickham Trolley is parked in the platform and the PW Team have gone to lunch.

30/05/2026

Middy Model Railway Show
31 May 2026 -

We are in the process of producing our 2026 model railway show – exclusively railways and of all gauges and sizes. 2025 was a great success and we hope for even better things this year, especially now we have our extension open for visitors to enjoy along with the model show.

As ever it is one entry price to visit the show and ride the full size trains as often as you like. Plus all the usual Middy facilities will be open, tea room, museum, Restoration Shed and real ale bar.

29/05/2026

The Y7 reassembly in the Restoration Shed is progressing well with all the cab fittings and ancillary pipe work have had new gaskets cut and are now ready for fitting. The side tank top's have been removed and the tanks are being cleaned out ready for painting. A awful but vital job. Thanks Simon you are a star!

29/05/2026

After a busy weekend, the bar and Tea Room have been restocked and are ready for this weekend. With the weather playing it's part, so its all looking good. The beers are Victoria Bitter 3.6%, Brandeston Gold 4.5%, Gannet Mild 3.3% and Cliff Quay Three Sheets To The Wind Golden 3.9%. Ciders are Burnards Oaky Dokey (medium) 5.5%, Red Rosie (sweet) 5.2% and Fox (dry) 6.0%.

This Sunday the railway has the Middy Model Railway Show.

23/05/2026

Hello everyone. Its the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway 1940s event tomorrow and Monday and i have just heard from the BBMF they will be with us about 12.45 tomorrow. The Aircraft is the last last Hurricane ever built. It will decked out as a night fighter. It is known as the last of the many! Enjoy the spectacle.

23/05/2026

A wonderful night yesterday at the Middy Bar

Did you spot us last night on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway first Friday ‘Middy Bar’ Bus Shuttle ?

A real fantastic start to the 2026 ‘Middy Bar’ Bus Shuttle service last night, with a full load departing from Stowmarket and passengers making good use of the new additional stops added this year.

The service has proved popular year on year, helping visitors travel conveniently to Brockford Station at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway’s popular bar evenings.

A very encouraging first evening for the Bar Bus — thank you to everyone who travelled with us and supported the service.

18/05/2026

Middy in the 1940s

24 May 2026 - 25 May 2026

Middy in the 1940s will be back again for another two-day extravaganza celebrating the Middy’s role at the end of WWII. Quality re-enactors and ‘personalities’ will help create a great 1940’s atmosphere.and a range of military and civilian vehicles of the period and stalls selling everything from clothing, collectables, toys, military memorabilia, wartime paperwork and magazines.

And on both days there will be1940s style music featuring the excellent Sarah Mai.

We also hope the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be able to provide a flypast for us (weather and mechanicals permitting).

The USAAF 34th Bomb Group Museum, now resident with us and very much part of the Middy’s wartime history, will be showing their range of artefacts and memorabilia from their days at RAF Mendlesham.

If you feel like donning some 40’s attire there is a fantastic local company who do a wide range of civilian and military costumes

18/05/2026

Hop on board for a great Friday night out! 🚌🍺

The FREE "Middy Bar" Bus Shuttle is back this Friday, 22nd May, and it’s the perfect, hassle-free way to head over to Brockford Station for a few drinks.

Leave the car at home—The Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group, in partnership with the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, has your travel covered completely free of charge.

🕒 Outbound Timetable (Towards Brockford)

18:30 – Combs Ford, Cracknells

18:35 – Stowmarket, Argos

18:42 – Chilton Way / Kipling Way

18:47 – Stowmarket, Bury Street

18:50 – Stowmarket Railway Station (Arr)

18:52 – Stowmarket Railway Station (Dep)

18:57 – Stowupland, The Crown

19:05 – Mendlesham Green

19:10 – Mendlesham, adj Kings Head

19:15 – Arrive at Brockford Station

🔄 Getting Home

Don't worry about booking a taxi! The return shuttle leaves Brockford Station at 22:00, heading back towards Stowmarket along the same route.

ℹ️ Note: All services are subject to availability. Please be aware that not all services will be operated using buggy or wheelchair-friendly vehicles.