TES  Celebrates a Historic Achievement: Bringing the Middy Back to Life

On 1 August 2025, the TES Projects Team proudly joined volunteers, dignitaries, and railway enthusiasts at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway (MSLR) to celebrate the official opening of a long-awaited extension. This milestone marks the culmination of seven years of planning, engineering, and collaboration. A project that demonstrates what can be achieved when expertise meets passion.

A Partnership That Changed Everything

The story began in 2018, when TES partnered with the MSLR to help turn an ambitious dream into reality. The goal was to extend the heritage railway and create a destination for visitors, breathing new life into a line that once served as a vital artery for rural Suffolk.

On a rain-soaked August day, TES Project Manager Rob Patten cut the ceremonial first sod at Dovebrook with a silver spade, marking the start of a journey that would transform the railway. From that moment, TES became the driving force behind the project, bringing engineering expertise, specialist equipment, and a unique opportunity for apprentices to gain real-world experience on a live railway.

From Vision to Reality

By 2019, the trackbed and ballast were in place, thanks to TES’s leadership and the tireless work of volunteers. The extension utilised reclaimed track from former freight sidings in Ipswich, and although the engineering requirements were lighter than those of a main line, the challenge was still significant. TES ensured the work was completed to the highest standard, safely and efficiently.

What was originally expected to take three years became a seven-year journey of perseverance and progress. The project encountered two major delays that significantly impacted the timeline:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted construction schedules, limited volunteer availability, and introduced health and safety restrictions that slowed progress.

• The requirement for legal approval under the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO), a formal process necessary for railway extensions of this nature. This approval process involved detailed documentation, public consultation, and government review, and ultimately took around a year to complete before construction could proceed further.

Despite these challenges, TES remained committed throughout, leading, supporting, and delivering every step of the way.

The Big Day

Fast forward to 1 August 2025. The new extension (adding 530 metres and doubling the running length to 1km) was officially opened by Mark Pendlington, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, in front of a packed crowd of dignitaries, supporters, and railway enthusiasts.

Our very own Graham Eastabrook and Luke Eastabrook attended the event and even walked the extension before the guests arrived. Luke summed it up perfectly:

“The track has held up very well and we forgot just how long the extension was—530 metres. The platform at the end (Aspall Halt) is coming along well. The train ride felt really good throughout the length of the extension.”

The celebrations continued all weekend, with record visitor numbers and universal praise for the project. For TES, it was a proud moment, a chance to see the impact of our work and the difference we can make when we combine skill, passion, and teamwork.

Why This Matters

This project is about more than track and trains. It’s about preserving a unique piece of Suffolk’s history, boosting local tourism, and creating opportunities for the next generation of railway engineers. As Rob Patten said at the start of the project:

“This is a great opportunity for TES, as we will use our track apprentices on this project which will be a great learning curve for them. Once complete, I hope that the extension of this historical part of Mid Suffolk can be enjoyed long into the future.”

A Brief History of the Middy

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway opened in 1904 for goods and in 1908 for passengers. It was built under the 1896 Light Railway Act to serve rural communities and support agriculture during a time of economic hardship. The plan was ambitious: two lines connecting Haughley to Halesworth and Kenton to Ipswich. But financial struggles meant only 19 miles were built, earning it the nickname “the line to nowhere.”

Despite its challenges, the Middy played a vital role during World War II, transporting supplies and supporting nearby RAF bases at Mendlesham and Horham. After the war, road transport took over, and the line closed in 1952.

The story didn’t end there. In the 1990s, volunteers began restoring the railway at Brockford. By 2002 (50 years after closure) the first steam train ran on a short section of track. Today, the MSLR is an accredited museum with Victorian carriages, goods wagons, and a café, run entirely by volunteers and supported by over 500 members.

Looking Ahead

The Middy’s future is bright. Work continues on Aspall Halt, a new carriage shed, and the restoration of locomotive No. 1604. And while the railway is powered by volunteers, TES can proudly say we played a key role in writing this exciting new chapter.

This achievement is a testament to what our Projects Team can deliver: expertise, commitment, and results that make a real difference.

Congratulations to everyone involved; you’ve helped bring history back to life.