Description:Crowds at the Opening Day of the Leek and Manilfold Light Railway which took place at Waterhouses. The banners read “Success To The Chairman Of The Light Railway Company” and "Welcome to Earl Dartmouth". In the background is the large marquee where a celebratory banquet was held, followed by speeches. The photograph apears to have been taken from the Crown Inn.
The railway was opened by the Earl of Dartmouth, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Together with the Railway Company's Chairman Rev C B Tyrwhitt, directors and guests, he was brought to Waterhouses by a special train from Stoke-on-Trent. They then travelled from Waterhouses to Hulme End along the new railway to the acompaniment of martial music, salvoes of fog signals and the waving of handkerchiefs.