What’s on

From steam spectaculars to exciting learning activities, Locomotion has something for everyone.

Keep an eye on this page and our social media channels for more information.

Looking for the National Railway Museum? Find out what's on here.

Locomotion's First 15 Years

It's our 15th birthday this year and we're marking the occasion with a bunch of events and activities to celebrate the past, present and future of our historic site.

Stepping Out of The Box

Stepping Out of The Box

Exhibition

14–30 September 2019

This artistic exhibition aims to initiate conversations around gender roles and aspirations in the local community.

Nicola Patterson, Julie Crawshaw and Tom Dower

Regional Regeneration: Is it Still a Man's World?

Talk

Thursday 19 September 2019

A thought-provoking panel talk building on the theme of our Stepping Out of The Box exhibition.

Book now

Spoken Word and Open Mic Night

Event

Thursday 26 September 2019

A special night of spoken word with three guest acts.

Book now

Events and exhibitions

A girl looks out of the side of a carriage

Shildon Gala 2019

Special event

21–22 September 2019

Our annual mega-event is back in town, packed with locos and fun activities to bring grins from ear to ear as we celebrate our 15th year.

S&DR 194th Anniversary Celebrations

Event

Sunday 29 September 2019

Take a train ride, enjoy some music and go for a stroll as we mark the 194th year of the historically significant railway.

Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition

Exhibition

5–6 October 2019

See the wonderful world of railways in miniature at this fantastic free event.

Heritage Open Days 2019

Tour

13–22 September 2019

Discover the history of our heritage buildings.

O-Gauge Gatherings

Demonstration

One Saturday every month

Join the Locomotion O Gauge Group to see live demos of locomotives and rolling stock on their test track.

The Hetton locomotive outside Locomotion

The Hetton Locomotive Investigation

Event

Dates vary

Watch world-leading locomotive investigation specialists as they try to determine the true history of an engine.

DLPG restoration sessions

Drop-in session

Selected dates each month

Watch the Durham Locomotive Preservation Group at work restoring Norwood in our Conservation Workshop and talk to the team about their efforts.

Available throughout the year

Collection Building

Permanent gallery

Open daily

Get up close to dozens of legendary locomotives from throughout railway history.

Jason Brown applies a coat of paint to the wheels of locomotive Dominion of Canada in the workshop at Locomotion.

Conservation workshop

Permanent gallery

Open daily

Get a great view of Locomotion's rail restoration projects from the workshop viewing platform.

Early Birds

Accessible event

Dates vary

A special early-morning session for visitors with sensory needs who wish to explore the museum in a quieter environment.

Children holding flags during an activity

Little Locos

Event

Second Tuesday of every month

A special session for our visitors aged 5 and under.

Cab access

Activity

Daily

Get a driver’s-eye view from the cabs of some of our spectacular locomotives.

Vintage luggage next to a railway carriage

Guided tours

Tour

Every weekday

Join one of our volunteers for a tour exploring the fascinating stories and rich histories of objects from the National Collection.

Tours and demonstrations

A rail carriage being restored in the workshop at Locomotion, 2018.

Workshop tours

Tour

Dates vary

Go behind the scenes of our workshop and find out how we take care of our historic locomotives.

Shunting demo

Demonstration

Dates and times vary

We do all our own shunts: see our incredible locomotives in action on the museum's sidings.

Visitors to Locomotion take a ride behind steam locomotive Furness 20

Train Rides

Activity

Dates and times vary

Journey back in time for a ride behind one of our operating locomotives.

Locomotion's First 15 Years

Stepping Out of The Box

Stepping Out of The Box

Regional Regeneration: Is it Still a Man's World?

Spoken Word and Open Mic Night

Events and exhibitions

Shildon Gala 2019

S&DR 194th Anniversary Celebrations

Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition

Heritage Open Days 2019

O-Gauge Gatherings

The Hetton Locomotive Investigation

DLPG restoration sessions

Available throughout the year

Collection Building

Conservation workshop

Early Birds

Little Locos

Cab access

Guided tours

Tours and demonstrations

Workshop tours

Shunting demo

Train Rides

Part of the Science Museum Group