Lion Running Weekend 2026
Stephenson Steam Railway, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8DX
Friday 5th June 2026 - Sunday 7th June 2026
‘Lion’ Running Weekend*
5th June 2026 – 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.
*STEAM GALA – LOCOMOTIVE UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of our control, we are having to downscale the Steam Gala planned for the weekend of 5th-7th June. We apologise for the disappointment this will cause and hope you will still join us for this very rare opportunity to see Lion back in the North East for one weekend only. We will be reducing the ticket prices to reflect the changes to this event and current ticket holders will be contacted shortly.
5th June 2026 – 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.
*STEAM GALA – LOCOMOTIVE UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of our control, we are having to downscale the Steam Gala planned for the weekend of 5th-7th June. We apologise for the disappointment this will cause and hope you will still join us for this very rare opportunity to see Lion back in the North East for one weekend only. We will be reducing the ticket prices to reflect the changes to this event and current ticket holders will be contacted shortly.
