Come and find out more about our industrial heritage

As our contribution to the nation-wide "Heritage Open Days" event, we were offering illustrated (in-person) talks about this historic site, on the railway where the world’s very first successful, load-hauling steam locomotive ran in the year of 1812.

The talks, which lasted some 30 mins, ran hourly from 10.00 to 3.00 p.m. on each day, and there was no need to book for them. They took visitors through our history from the working of the coal outcrops in Middleton Woods in mediaeval times, via the country’s first wooden (horse-drawn) railway in the eighteenth century and the revolutionary steam loco “Salamanca” - arguably, Leeds’ premier contribution to the Industrial Revolution - to the present situation as the country‘s first standard-gauge preserved railway. After that, visitors were welcome to buy a ticket and ride on our trains!

First and Last Chance Weekend

A first chance to see the newly-overhauled "No. 6".

A last chance to see NER 1310 before it retires from service.

Explore the Route of the Railway

A guided walk from Leeds Bridge to our Moor Road station, exploring the original route of the railway as it carried coals almost into the centre of the city.

The walk also took in the famous half square mile of Hunslet, through which the route of the railway ran, and where locomotives were manufactured for the world.

Walkers could then follow the walk with a ride on the railway.

Meet Santa Claus on our trains!

A separate page gives more details of these trains, and of how to book for them, including the facility to book online.

Our second Comic-Con style event!

Following on from the success of 2018's event, this event featured special exhibits, sci-fi characters in costume (as shown in the picture here, taken in our display hall), and more.

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

See historic diesel locomotives in action

Following the movement of our "Works Outing" event to the previous weekend, in response to planned road closures, we ran some of our historic diesel locomotives on both Saturday and Sunday. A special timetable was in operation, and included some trains running over the Balm Road branch. Click here for more details of these services.

Showcasing our own Locomotive Fleet

If it worked, it would get an outing - or at least, that was the aim. The event featured passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

Rides on vintage Leeds buses

We participated in this event, which was the sixth in the series. It saw vintage Leeds City Transport buses (and others) running on a route through the city that linked up local museums.

A Special Event for Children

With trains, characters in costume, and special activities. Click here for more details of this event.

Special fares were charged, but our usual timetable applied.

See the models alongside the real thing

Now a well established event, the Model Railway Exhibition featured both models and the real thing in action. There was an opportunity to drive one of our locos, as well as see the museum full of layouts.

Come and enjoy Steam Punks in action

If you are not sure who or what "Steam Punks" are, then visit the website of the Leeds and Bradford Steampunk Markets, with whom we collaborated to arrange this event. The link to their site will open in a new browser window or tab.

The event featured a variety of market stalls with arts, crafts and costumes, hot and cold food, birds of prey, charity tombola and "Coffee Jousting" displays.

Our usual steam trains were running, and normal fares applied, but with a charge for those who were just coming to visit the market.

Passenger and Goods Trains

This gala event featured passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

Special Attractions for Fathers (and others!)

A package that gives the opportunity to ride on one of our locomotives and visit our workshops. This package is aimed at fathers, but is definitely not restricted just to them!

Support Marie Curie in Leeds

For our charity weekend there were activities to support the work of Marie Curie in Leeds.

Come and Admire the Bluebells in Middleton Park

On each day some trains were met at Middleton Park for a family-friendly walk round the Bluebell displays. Each walk gave a chance to explore the woods and see the Bluebells with an experienced local guide.

Bring your teddy bear

There were special fare offers for children, with or without teddy bears, provided that they were accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

An exhibition of painting and drawings by Jo Dunn

This included some Leeds landmarks, such as Gledhow Wood Road and Arthington Viaduct, as well as scenes from further afield.

Free chocolate for Easter

For children travelling on the train services and accompanied by a fare-paying adult, we gave away free chocolate.

Come and find out about local groups. Perhaps get involved?

We hoped that at least the following organisations would be represented, but they weren't all able to be with us for the whole time:

• Friends of Middleton Park,
• South Leeds Archaeology Society,
• Voluntary Action Leeds,
• Guide Dogs, Leeds Mobility Team,
• West Yorkshire Police,
• West Yorkshire Fire Brigade (with a Fire Engine attending 2.00 to 3.00).

A commemoration of our mining heritage

This gala event recreated some of the sights from the days when the Middleton Colliery was still sending coal to Leeds. It featured passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

There was a development project supporting this event, and a separate page gives more details of this project.