Our end-of-season events are almost upon us!
Building on a fantastic 2025 season, 2026 is already turning out to be another incredible year for the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association!
Thanks to fantastic enthusiasm, fantastic visitor numbers, and a string of successful events already under our belts so far this year, we’re keeping the momentum going. There is still plenty more excitement to come as we make the absolute most of the rest of the season—come and join us!
Check out our upcoming events below and join us for the rest of another exciting year on the line—we look forward to welcoming you! 🚂
You can also check out our TicketSource for latest pricing and ticket availability!
Metro Music Night
Wednesday 21st October 2026,
19:00 – 22:00
Following our brilliant debut event in September, join us on our Tyne and Wear Metrocar for another open mic night.
No pre-booking required!
£3 suggested donation.
Lee ‘Lippy’ Davies “40 Years on the Footplate.”
Thursday 22nd October 2026,
18:00 – 21:00
As part of our end of season lineup of events we are hosting Lee ‘Lippy’ Davies’ “40 years on the footplate.” Join us for a fascinating talk from Lippy about his 40 year railway career. The evening is scheduled to be a 2 hour talk featuring plenty of images in the museum.
Please reserve your pie and pea supper when reserving a ticket to ensure availability, payable on the night. Pre-booking required Here
Free entry, donations welcome.
Autumn Gala
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2026,
10:00 – 16:00
An intensive timetable of Passenger and Freight trains with our home fleet locomotives! Wickham Trolley MPP0007 will be visiting courtesy of Darlington Railway Preservation Group giving rides in the museum yard.
Ticket grants entry and unlimited travel on passenger services.
Sausage Supper Special – Join the 1500 departure on the Saturday of our gala and enjoy a delicious Sausage Supper on board courtesy of Northside Grill.
Pre booking is essential via our ticket link.
Previous 2026 Events
Miniature Railway Gala
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2026,
11:00 – 16:00
On the 26th & 27th September we will be hosting our Miniature Railway Gala featuring 3 visiting locomotives over the weekend; Donald, ENW & Edward.
We will also be welcoming City of Sunderland Model Engineering Society with a display in the museum, alongside a display of 16mm ‘Garden railway’ locos in the museum.
There will also be a display of miniature traction engines courtesy of Northern Miniature Road Locomotive Society!
Want to ride in the cab of a diesel locomotive?
If this takes your fancy, for a donation of your choice – you can take a quick ride on the footplate of 08915 up and down the museum site.
Shunter Sunday
Sunday 6th September 2026,
11:00
Are you ready to travel back to the 1980s, when British Rail blue dominated the railway and diesel power ruled the rails?
If so, then back by popular demand following last year’s successful event, our two BR blue shunters—03078 and 08915—are once again stepping out of the yard and into the spotlight for our 2026 Shunter Sunday!
Usually confined to shunting duties and standby work for the steam fleet, this is their chance to take charge of the line.
Throughout the day, the pair will haul a varied mix of passenger and freight services, recreating the sights and sounds of a bygone era. Expect double-headed action, top-and-tail formations, and plenty of rare mileage behind both locomotives as they work a busy and intensive timetable.
Whether you joined us last year or are looking to experience something a little different, this is a day not to be missed.
Ale By Rail 2026
Saturday 15th August 2026,
14:00 – 23:00
ALE BY RAIL – BACK FOR ROUND TWO! 
After a hugely successful debut, Ale by Rail returns on 15th August 2026—bigger, better, and brimming with local flavour!
Join us for a day packed with:
Local beers, craft ales & ciders from some of the region’s finest breweries
Delicious street food from local vendors
Live music all day to keep the festival vibe flowing Train rides and miniature railway adventures for all ages
Whether you’re a beer lover, a foodie, or just looking for a great day out, Ale by Rail is the perfect summer celebration.
All aboard for good times, great tastes, and unforgettable memories!
Engine Shed Sessions
Friday 14th August 2026,
18:00 – 22:00
Get your weekend off to a flying start with a night of live original music from some fantastic local bands! The Engine Shed Sessions is proud to present a unique, one-off showcase celebrating the vibrant local music scene. Hosted in an extraordinary venue, this event brings together an eclectic lineup of talented local bands and artists, each performing their own original music.
We’ll have a small bar setup serving drinks throughout the evening, alongside a great line-up of original bands from the local area:
- The Magnetic North Band
- AJ Potter and the NE Rails
- Pete Bell
- Raydiculous (Ray Rowley)
We’ll also be joined by talented young musicians from Traxx Rock School, based at a studio in the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate. 🎶
Come along, support local music, grab a drink and enjoy a great night of live entertainment before Ale by Rail gets underway!
Visitors can choose from a complimentary 1/2 pint beer or can of pop!
Model Railway Weekend
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026,
10:00 – 16:00
Our annual model railway weekend returns for 2026 with more layouts, traders and miniature live steam! This year’s exhibition will see the museum filled with a mixture of O, OO and N gauge layouts and traders.
Outside the museum, there’ll be miniature steam train rides on the 7 ¼” railway and plenty of action on the ‘big’ railway too! On Saturday, there’ll be the chance to ride on a ‘train set’-style consist – a train made up of a mixture of carriages and freight wagons.
This year’s show is being organised in partnership with the Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Club, who are holding their exhibition, ‘RailEx NE’, on the same weekend this year.
Photographic Evening
Friday 5th June 2026,
18:00 till late
Our popular photographic evening returns for 2026, featuring a variety of locomotives, rolling stock and volunteers in period clothing. The evening will see a packed itinerary of staged scenes in the yard and the opportunity to visit lineside locations to capture several ‘run pasts’ of the railway’s demonstration freight trains.
This is an outdoor event and will involve walking on ballast and uneven surfaces. All participants must wear sturdy shoes and other suitable outdoor clothing. Photographers of all experience welcome.
The Waggonway Tea Room will be open for refreshments.
‘Lion’ Running Weekend
Saturday 5th and Sunday 7th June 2026,
10:00 – 16:00
A must-see for all fans of steam locomotives, this event will be a rare opportunity to see a former Wallsend workhorse in steam on Tyneside for the first time in over 50 years!
Built in 1914 for the Royal Arsenal’s extensive internal railway system in Woolwich, ‘Lion’ is the sole surviving example of Peckett’s ‘E’ class. In 1950, she was sold to the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company and worked on the quayside by the river Tyne until entering preservation at the Chasewater Railway in 1974.
This will be the locomotive’s first visit to another railway since returning from overhaul and we are grateful to Lion’s owner and the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway for allowing us to return this true Wallsend workhorse to North Tyneside.
‘Lion’ will be operating a busy timetable of passenger and demonstration freight trains across the weekend. We’ll also be joined by an impressive display of classic cars, guest speakers and local history stalls inside the museum.
Race the Train – Are You Fast Enough?
Race the Train – Are You Fast Enough?Sunday 17th May 2026,
11:00 – 12:30
Take on the ultimate challenge at our 3k fun run on Sunday 17th May 2026, starting at 11:30am!
Put your speed to the test as you race alongside our steam train, cheered on by spectators and carried by the thrill of chasing the locomotive to the finish line. It’s fun, family friendly, and perfect for runners of all abilities. Whether you’re aiming to beat the train or just enjoy the unique experience, Race the Train promises excitement, fresh air, and unforgettable memories.
Lace up… the whistle’s about to blow!
Entrants take part at their own risk. Stewards will be situated throughout the course. The course follows a mixture of paved footpaths, tarmac footpaths, waggonways and gravel footpaths.
Entrants should ensure they wear suitable footwear. First aid available at the museum. Train departs Middle Engine Lane at 1130am sharp so please arrive 15 minutes before.
Entrants not wishing to ride the train can join the run directly from Percy Main Station. Entry £5 and payable on arrival. Run starts at 11.50 sharp.
Coal Train Day
Sunday 26th April 2026,
10:00 – 16:00
Our railway runs along a narrow strip of land that at one time contained four independent railway routes all transporting coal south to the Tyne. Visit us to see this history recreated while you watch us hauling an authentic rake of coal hoppers along the line.
In the museum we’ll be joined by historian Nick Richardson who will be delivering a talk on the history and socioeconomic impact of the transport of coal from pit to port on Tyneside. Nick will also be hosting an ‘up close and personal’ session with ‘Harton E4’ in the museum to showcase the history of this unique locomotive.
