Leiston Works Railway
| Leiston Works Railway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sirapite the Works Shunter. | |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | Richard Garrett & Sons |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Closed | 1968 |
| Preservation history | |
| Headquarters | Long Shop Museum in Leiston |
The Leiston Works Railway was a private railway that ran from Leiston railway station on the Aldeburgh Branch Line of the Great Eastern Railway to the engineering works of Richard Garrett & Sons. The railway was originally operated by Suffolk Punch horses hauling coal and iron from the main line to the Garrett Works. This was later taken over by steam shunting engine 'Sirapite' which was then replaced by a battery electric engine in 1962.[1]
The line closed in 1968, with the battery locomotive being scrapped.
Restoration
After closure of the works, part of the complex was preserved as the Long Shop Museum, while Sirapite survived, unrestored, in the private collection of Sir William McAlpine.[2] The locomotive has since been returned to Leiston and restored to operational condition.
A group has been formed with the intention of restoring the 250 yard stretch of track running behind the Engineers Arms public house to the entrance of the Master Lord Industrial Estate, close to the former junction with the main line. The group paid £17,000 for the trackbed[3] and hope that original locomotive 'Sirapite', which has recently been restored, will be operated on the restored route periodically.[4] In January 2013 the group took delivery of eighteen 60 foot track panels to use in relaying the route.[5]