Readers’ Platform

Rack railways began in Leeds

THANKS for yet another good read this month. However, an error crept into Mr Fender’s piece on the Rigi railway (page 91, January issue).

Mr Fender writes ‘the first rack railway anywhere up Mount Washington in New Hampshire, USA’. In fact, the world’s first rack railway was actually the Middleton Railway in Leeds in 1812, some years before Mount Washington. The Middleton system was also the home of the first commercially successful steam locomotives in the world, commencing with Salamanca, built by Matthew Murray to John Blenkinsop’s specification.

The Middleton system, however, was not designed to climb hills. It was designed to overcome the problems experienced with heavy locomotives breaking the brittle cast iron rails used at that time. Once wrought iron and steel rails were produced, the need for rack for this purpose was removed and the system died a death until revived for use by Mount Washington and other railways to climb mountains.

Two original sections of rack rail are displayed in Leeds, one in Leeds City Museum, the other at Moor Road in our Engine House, whilst several models of Salamanca exist – including one built in 1812, which is believed to be the oldest existing locomotive model in the world.

Ian Smith Vice-president, Middleton Railway Trust

‘Black Fives’ at Euston and ‘real steam’ men

REGARDING the photo on page 70 of the January issue of ‘Black Five’ No. 44871 at Euston – I have to draw your attention to November 30, 2013 when Nos. 45407 & 44871 worked a Euston-Chester and return trip. This had John Daniel on the lead loco and myself and Andy Christie on the train engine, with Andy Taylor/Phil Cowley on the return. This is to the best of my knowledge the last previous instance of LMS ‘Fives’ in Euston,