With things returning to something like normality after the corona virus pandemic and the associated lockdowns, we are planning a programme of special events for 2022. Details of each of these events are given below, and we expect to be adding others soon, so please watch out for these.
If you are interested in some of the previous events that we have run, then details of selected ones are available, and a separate page describes these.
Teddy Bears Picnic and Bluebell Walks
Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May 2022
The teddy bears in the woods
Bring your Teddies to see the Bluebells
On Sunday and Monday some trains will be met at Middleton Park for a family-friendly walk round the Bluebell displays. Each walk will give a chance to explore the woods and see the Bluebells with an experienced local guide.
We had hoped to also run walks on Saturday 30th April, but shortage of staff means that this will not be possible. It also means that on the Saturday we will not be able to start running trains until 13:30.
The Friends of Middleton Park will run the walks in Middleton Park on 1st and 2nd May. On each day they will be meeting the following trains at Park Halt.
- The 11:10 departure from Moor Road;
- the 12:30 departure from Moor Road; and
- the 14:10 departure from Moor Road.
Children with a teddy bear will travel free.
The normal fare will apply for children without a teddy bear, but we will give them a teddy bear.
On the Sunday and Monday:
- for adults a selection of sandwiches will be available, at £2.25p each; and
- for children a teddy bear's picnic box will be available, at £3.50p each. This will contain a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a packet of Pom Bears crisps, a drink and a cake bar. It will also contain an activity sheet and some crayons.
Diesel trains will run on Saturday, starting at 13:30, and steam trains on Sunday and Monday, starting at 10:30. The normal timetable and adult fares will apply, apart from the late start on the Saturday.
Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2022
The Platinum Jubilee Logo
Celebrating 70 Years
Diesel trains will run on Saturday and steam trains on Sunday. The normal timetable will apply.
The following special fares will apply.
- Adults over 70: 70p;
- Other Adults: £7;
- Children: 70p.
Model Railway Exhibition
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July 2022
A layout at a previous exhibition
See the Models alongside the Real Thing
This is now a well established event, and is returning after a covid-enforced break. Our Model Railway Exhibition will feature both models and the real thing in action. There will be an opportunity to drive one of our locos, as well as see our museum full of layouts.
Steam trains will run on both days, and the normal timetable will apply. Special fares will apply, and nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.
Leeds Classic Bus Running Day
Sunday 14th August 2022
A bus at the railway, taking part in the 2018 day
Rides on vintage Leeds buses
This event returns after a break caused by CoViD.
It will see vintage Leeds City Transport buses (and others) running on a route through the city that links up local museums.
Steam trains will run, and the normal timetable and fares will apply. Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.
Autumn Gala
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 2022
Our two 90-year old diesel locomotives
90 Years of the Diesel
This will be a special event to mark the pioneering development of diesel locomotives, which were first used successfully 90 years ago. It coincides with the first weekend of the Heritage Open Days.
Special timetables will operate on both days, and special fares will apply.
Nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.
Heritage Open Weekend
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2022
Heritage Open Days
Find out More about our Industrial Heritage
For the second weekend of the nation-wide "Heritage Open Days" event, we are 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 will last some 30 mins, will run hourly from 10.00 to 3.00 p.m. on each day, and there will be no need to book for them. They will take visitors briefly 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 will be welcome to buy a ticket and ride on our trains!
The normal timetable will operate on both days, and the normal fares will apply.
Star Rails
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2022
Special Guests from Star Wars
The Return of our Comic-Con style Event!
Following on from the success of our Star Rails days in 2018 and 2019, this return (after a break caused by CoViD) will feature special exhibits, sci-fi characters in costume, and more.
Special fares will apply, and nearer the time a separate page will give more details of this event.
Steam trains will run on both days, and the normal timetable will apply.
Santa Specials
Dates in December 2022 are still being finalised
Meet Santa Claus on our trains!
Details will be available later.
We hope to open bookings on 1st August.
Mince Pie Specials
Sunday 1st January 2023
Mark New Year's Day
The ideal way to celebrate New Year 2023 (and perhaps even to recuperate from New Year’s Eve).
Details will be available later.
More Information
Other pages of our web site will provide more information about:
