Midland Railway Butterley - Ale on The Rails 200 - 19/7/25

From Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th July 2025, the Midland Railway Butterley held their Ale on The Rails 200 event. The event saw a mix of Steam and diesel locomotives running with three passenger trains running. The Victorian train rake was out and hauled by JInty 16440 and no.15. The Mk1s saw service behind a selection of diesel locomotives with 44004 'Great Gable', D8 'Penyghent', 45108 and 31108 running. Several locomotives were visiting from DB Cargo, with locomotives in operation and on display. A set of Mk3s from Nemesis Rail were used for these runs with a Mk1 full brake goods vehicle.

The weather wasn't great during the day we attended on the Saturday, it rained most of the day. 16440 also didn't make its first run due to a problem so 08590 was pressed into service for this run. But 16440 later was put into service and worked the remainder of its diagrammed services. DB Cargo's 66901 was named 'Accurascale' at the event, I wasn't able to see the naming, ceremony that took place. But I did at least get to see the loco working at the event. 92011 from DB Cargo was on display with EM2 27000. 46203 'Princess Margaret Rose' was lined up with DB Cargo 66023 in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee livery at West Shed. These made for some great photo opportunities. On the Saturday also had 67007 in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee livery on display, whilst 67005 'King's Messenger' was on service on this day.

There were some great moves and double headers of locomotives during the day, both preserved Class 44s were in service and double headed. This was fantastic to see, I hadn't been able to see them when they were at Peak Rail, so being able to see them at Midland Railway Butterley made me happy. We even got double headed Steam and 31108 at one point made an appearance on the Victorian train. Quite a lot to be pointing the camera at actually. We also rode on the Victorian set and on the Mk3s and Mk1 goods brake, riding in Mk3s and a Mk1 goods brake were a first for us. Though I much preferred to travel in the Victorian rake and in the Mk1 goods brake than the Mk3s.

Overall, this was a nice day out of the house. A good show put on by everyone at the railway I thought.

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