On Sunday, 27th November, The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, commonly known as “The Middy”, is holding a Vintage and Bygones Fair and Exhibition.

This is the first time that the railway has held such an exhibition. The range of vintage artefacts on display will appeal to anyone who has even the slightest interest in early mechanical and electrical objects, many of which are absolute works of art in their own right.

Among the exhibits will be musical boxes, planetary clocks, lighting and oil lamps, stoves and cookers. There will also be model trains from clockwork to steam, vintage clothing, and many other items, all of which will be in keeping with the Middy’s style of recreating an Edwardian country railway.

Complementing the vintage theme of the event will be Marcia, which is a 99-year-old Peckett 0-4-0 tank engine from the Kent and East Sussex Railway, which will be operating during the event. With a weight of just 12 tons, 2 feet 3 inches-diameter driving wheels, and outside cylinders, Marcia looks like a narrow gauge locomotive and is certainly the smallest steam loco ever to grace the Middy. However, its small size belies its prowess, and it will be hauling trains with the railway’s genuine Victorian four-wheel coaches.

On a similar theme to the vintage fair, on January 1st 2023 the railway is staging a Steam and Light Festival. On display will an exhibition organised by the Historical Lighting Association of vintage oil lamps dating back to the Mid-Victorian era, which in times gone by were commonplace everywhere from grand houses to practical workplaces.

No advanced booking is needed for either the Vintage and Bygones Fair and Exhibition or the Steam and Light Festival.

Unfortunately, this year’s Santa Specials are fully sold out, although the railway has a Waiting List where people can put their names down in case of any cancellations.