Stephenson Steam Railway

What it’s like

A heritage steam train ride, a railway museum, and a meet with the world's third-oldest working locomotive.

The centrepiece is a heritage train ride pulled by real steam power, lasting about 35 to 40 minutes out and back. It's run by volunteers, so it's genuinely subject to who's available on the day, and trains don't run at all on Saturdays, which catches people out if that's the only day you've got free. Sundays, bank holidays and Thursdays in school holidays are your best bet.

Before or after the ride, there's a museum digging into North Tyneside's railway history, and the main reason to go: Killingworth Billy, the third-oldest steam locomotive in the world, sitting right there for the kids to gawp at. There's a woodland walk outside too, handy for burning off the wait between the museum and boarding. This suits kids from about four upwards, old enough to sit still for a train ride and actually take in what they're looking at in the museum.

At £11 for an adult and £9 for concessions (that's under-21s and over-60s), it's not a huge outlay for the afternoon, though you'll want to check the volunteer-run trains are actually going before you plan your whole day around it. In December they run an Elf Express with a live show from Santa and his elves before you board, and tickets for that are non-refundable once booked, so be sure of your slot before you pay.

Parking is free on site with 74 spaces plus overflow, which takes one worry off the list. Wheelchair access is limited though: doorways onto the carriages are only 55cm wide and it's self-transfer.

What’s on here

• SAT24

  Autumn Gala

  1 more dates

  →
• SAT31

  Phantom Flyer

  Spooky train rides and Halloween entertainment at Stephenson Steam Railway on 31 October.

  →

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Ages 4 and up, old enough to enjoy the ride and the museum

Booking

Heritage train rides subject to volunteer availability

Parking

Free on site car park with 74 spaces, plus overflow

Wheelchairs

Limited access: door openings restricted to 55cm, self-transfer required onto carriages

• Trains don't run on Saturdays, so pick a Sunday, bank holiday or school-holiday Thursday instead
• Heritage rides are volunteer-run, so availability can vary day to day
• Elf Express tickets are non-refundable once booked
• Carriage doorways are only 55cm wide with self-transfer boarding, worth knowing if wheelchair access matters

Plan your visit

Experiences

• Billy

  A forerunner of the Rocket and the third oldest surviving steam locomotive in the world. The Killingworth Billy was built by George Stephenson in 1816.

• Clio Interactive Engine

  indoors

  An interactive engine where visitors can experience what it is like to drive a steam engine, with buttons, levers and sound, built to a height suitable for wheelchair users.

• Footplate Ride

  A footplate ride experience described as a gift for rail-fans.

Rides

• Heritage Train Rides

  outdoors

  Heritage steam or diesel train rides along the railway, running on Sundays and other selected days; charges apply.

• Miniature Light Railway

  outdoors

  A miniature railway created by North Tyneside Steam Railway Association volunteers, running on selected days.

Also on site

• Museum displays

  indoors

  Exhibitions on the story of George and Robert Stephenson in North Tyneside, the Blyth & Tyne Railway, the Tyne and Wear Metro and the area's colliery lines.

• Waggonway Tearoom

  indoors

  Cafe open on selected days during the running season, serving hot and cold drinks, soups, sandwiches, homemade cakes and seasonal treats.

Areas to explore

• Under 5's area

  up to age 5 · indoors

  An area in the museum where children can dress up as a train guard, use signals, set a clock, play with a sensory board and move train parts on a train puzzle.

• Woodland Walk

  outdoors

  A path winding through greenery alongside the railway line, on a rewilded former industrial site. Includes an Art & Heritage Trail, the Meadow, the Cinder Path (uneven surface, steps-only access) and the Sensory Area.

Featured in 3 Huddlepin lists

See all Model Villages & Miniature Railways in Newcastle · Things to do in Newcastle