Ale By Rail 2026

 Ale By Rail 2026 was a huge hit. Thank you to all visitors who came to support our event, enjoying live music, good food and great drinks.

With the nice weather, the yard apron beer garden quickly filled up.

With all designated seating taken, some decide to bring their own.

Along with the variety of ales, beers and ciders on offer, visitors could grab a taste of Brazilian or artisan sausage street food.

Our Ale By Rail headline sponsors Vertu Hyundai Silverlink showcase 4 cars outside the museum.

Ethan, Cameron and Mark man the beer token stall, selling each token for exchange one half pint.

It's all smiles at the opening of the 'Billy Bar' at Ale By Rail 2026.

Alice, Michael and Dan takeover serving from the 'Billy Bar' going into the evening music performances.

The thirst for the wide selection of ales, beers and ciders does not stop at the 'Billy Bar'.

With live performances from local bands throughout the night, the museum is also busy with supporters.

Late into the evening Metro 4001 repurposes into a makeshift rave venue.

Preparation for Ale By Rail 2026

With our annual Ale By Rail event just around the corner, it has been all hands on deck transforming the museum into a live music space for our introductory weekend event The Engine Shed Sessions.

 

All the gear for our constructed 'Billy Bar' was collected from the guys at the Tyneside & Northumberland CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale) Branch - a huge thank you to their volunteers for assisting in constructing the bar and making sure it all works.

Meanwhile, back at Middle Engine Lane, Michael (L), Alice (C) and Michael (R) complete decorating the museum with bunting after both museum engines and NER Parcel Van were shunted out of the museum.

Once complete, Richard can begin the final tweaks to the stage lighting and test the audio from the stage in readiness for artists performing on The Engine Shed Sessions line up.

The museum and 'Billy Bar' all set up.

First Running Weekend of the 2026 Summer Holidays

Today, Driver Matthew, Fireman Robert and Trainee Adam, were the crew of the first of the Summer Holiday passenger services.

Ashington No.5 waits at Middle Engine Lane ready for the first passenger train.

After the run around at Percy Main, Robert builds up his fire ready for the return leg of the journey back up to Middle Engine Lane.

During the latter half of the day, Trainee Adam has a go on the shovel under instruction from Robert (L) and Matthew driving (R).

'Lion' Running Weekend Gala Day Three

The final day of our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala has concluded, rounding off what has been an incredibly successful and joyous weekend for the railway.

Robert is seen in between the frames of 'Ashington No.5' as 'Lion' is stabled outside on the apron for steam raising.

Then Robert oils the outside and motion as 'Lion' takes the first demonstration freight train to Percy Main.

'Lion' returns with the demonstration freight train as 'Ashington No.5' waits in the yard to re-marshal the freight set before the first passenger train of the day.

In the above, 'Lion' coupled to the passenger stock in the loop awaits instruction to enter the platform, as 'Ashington No.5' shunts the tank wagons.

Robert watches 'Lion' complete some shunting manoeuvres from Middle Engine Lane platform loop.

Robert looks at the track ahead whilst driving the afternoon passenger train on 'Ashington No.5'.

The final train of the day was a 'top and tail' of both Peckett locomotives. Driver Joe couples the two locomotives together at Percy Main before the final return journey.

As Fireman Aaran puts the lamp on the from of 'Lion'.

The final passenger trains arrives at Middle Engine Lane, concluding our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala. We would like to thank all passengers and supporters of the railway who came to the event over the three days.

'Lion' Running Weekend Gala Day Two

Day two of our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala was equally, if not better, than the first!

Many hands were available for the mornings prep, steam raising and cleaning. Aiden, Aadil, Josh and Ben all completing cleaning tasks both inside the cab and on the wheels and motion.

Aadil then brushes the cab sides with wash and wax, as Josh checks the water levelling in the tank after filling from the hose.

Down at Percy Main, 'Lion' prepares to haul the first demonstration freight train back to Middle Engine Lane.

The Driver's view from 'Ashington No.5' with passengers at Middle Engine Lane awaiting the arrival of 'Lions' arrival with the freight demonstration train.

With that coaches propelled into the platform, Station Master Dylan meets and greets passengers and  shows them to their seats on a scheduled top and tail/double header steam service.

Firemen Cameron, shovels coal on the return journey back to Middle Engine Lane.

Meanwhile, 08915 completes freight shunting duties.

All while passenger and demonstration freight trains are running, Aaran and Ben operate the miniature railway hauling passengers from Middle Engine Lane to Engine House Halt.

And in the museum, John is operating the model railway of Middle Engine Lane. It looks as if he has been doing some wagon marshalling and running passenger trains as well.

Accompanying John is our information display, showing information on Peckett & Sons Ltd. locomotives, including 'Lion' and 'Ashington No.5', with leaflets and flyers for our up coming events scheduled for later this year.

Out in the car park, a great turn out of classic cars for visitors viewing.

With the daytime services complete, two 'Sausage Supper Specials' trains ran into the evening with passengers enjoying sausage, mash, peas and gravy in the carriages hauled by 'Lion'

'Lion' Running Weekend Gala Day One

The first day of our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala has went down a treat!

With the morning Sun shining, Peckett & Sons locomotives 'Lion' and 'Ashington No.5' are stabled for steam raising.

Aadil then commences cleaning of 'Ashington No.5', finishing with buffing the smokebox door.

After running round at Percy Main, 'Lion' waits for the green flag from the freight guard with the first train of the day hauling coal wagons back up to Middle Engine Lane.

With a break in the timetable down at Percy Main, the crews of both 'Lion' and 'Ashington No.5' couldn't pass up on the opportunity of a photo on their respective locomotives.

With passenger and freight demonstration trains concluded for the day, Robert guides 'Lion' in marshalling the coal wagons for the photo evening event.

'Lion's' crew are pictured before heading down to Percy Main with photographers awaiting their arrival for staged run-bys as part of the photo evening schedule.

Arrival of Peckett No.1351 'Lion'

Peckett No.1351 'Lion' arrived at Middle Engine Lane yesterday afternoon ready for our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala which starts on Friday 5th June. 

The locomotive worked at Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Company from 1950 until preservation in 1974 and returns to the North East for one weekend only!

The weekend gala event is planned to be a busy one with a jam-packed running timetable of passenger and demonstration freight trains as well as...

... a photographic evening on Friday 5th between 6 and 10PM, Sausage Supper Specials on Saturday 6th departing at 5 and 6PM from Middle Engine Lane (pre-booking essential)along with more than 30 classic cars displayed onsite both Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th, with displays and presentation of historical exhibitions, slideshows and our model railway through out the entire weekend gala event.

Tickets can be bought HERE!

'Lion' visits us courtesy of its owner and the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.