What is the name of the world’s oldest continuously operating railway, founded in Leeds in 1758?

The Middleton Railway is the world’s oldest continuously operating railway, founded in Leeds in 1758.

The railway was established to transport coal from the Middleton pits to Leeds. Its early wagons were first moved by horse power, and later developments introduced steam locomotives. The line received an Act of Parliament in 1758, giving it a distinctive legal status among early industrial railways.

The Middleton Railway is often described as the world’s oldest continuously operating railway because railway transport has continued on the route since its founding, although its original industrial role and later heritage operation are not identical. The surviving railway is now a volunteer-run heritage line in south Leeds.

It is commonly confused with older surviving railway buildings or with other early heritage lines. Ffestiniog Railway, for example, is famous for its long history and continuous public operation, but it was founded later, in 1832.