HERITAGE WEEKENDS

The first full weekend of every month is dedicated to exploring engineering, heritage and locomotives

Engage with Darlington’s pioneering and ongoing railway engineering. On the first full weekend of every month the doors to Darlington Locomotive Works and the 1861 Shed are opened for you to engage with Darlington’s pioneering and ongoing railway engineering. They’re free to visit and each month will engage with a different railway-related theme. Enjoy interactive demonstrations, practical activities, engineering talks, and hands-on experiences as you explore the workshops, chat with friendly volunteers, and stop by the merchandise stand for souvenirs to take home.

See locomotives under restoration, speak with dedicated volunteers and witness the ongoing construction of the UK's newest locomotive. Future weekends will see talks and lectures by visiting professionals and more 'hands on' experiences.

Next month's theme: Restoring the Replica

Step inside the 1861 Shed this June and get hands‑on with history in the making.

After stealing the show during S&DR200, our 1975‑built replica is back in the shed for some well‑earned TLC. This is your chance to see what it really takes to keep a legendary locomotive in working order... up close, noisy, and fascinating.

For a limited time, the replica will be opened up for restoration, lifting the lid on the craftsmanship, care and clever engineering behind its future journeys. From freshly revealed components to behind‑the‑scenes stories, it’s locomotive restoration like you may never have seen before.

You’ll also have the rare opportunity to get up close to the WTT locomotive and the beautifully restored LSWR passenger carriage offering a closer look at the train hauling Hopetown's steam rides.

Finally we're hosting talks as part of Sir Nigel Gresley 150th Anniversary Celebrations.

Make sure to pop into the Merch Shed in Darlington Locomotive Works to browse exclusive items, gifts, and railway‑themed treasures.

Perfect For families, enthusiasts, students, and anyone who’s ever looked at a locomotive and wondered, “How does that work?”

These experiences are all free of charge, however, donations are most welcome to help us bring more experiences to you.

Your Heritage Weekend ticket is valid all day, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the day. If you wish to visit both the Saturday and the Sunday, you will need a separate – free – ticket for each day.

DATES

The first full weekend of every month:

6 / 7 June
4 / 5 July
1 / 2 August
5 / 6 September
7 / 8 November
5 / 6 December

There is no Heritage Weekend in October.

TIME

10am-3pm

FEE

Free of charge. Donations are appreciated.

LOCATION

Hopetown Darlington

Darlington Locomotive Works

1861 Shed

BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS

WHAT TO EXPECT

Saturdays are the family fun days. Bring the whole family for a lively day of railway-themed adventures.

Sunday offers a deeper dive for those with a passion for engineering, locomotive history, and heritage railway preservation. The experiences listed above are still on offer, and make sure to pick up information leaflets and learn more about how to get involved with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, Darlington Railway Preservation Society and North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group through volunteer and covenant signup opportunities.

Each month will centre around a different theme

June: Restoring the replica Locomotion No.1

Further themes coming soon!

Join the S&DR 26 miles team for free drop in family crafts each Saturday as they celebrate the railway community! Add your own stations and trains to the Darlington Community Railway Line, design your own miniature Locomotive and share your railway memories as part of their memory collecting project.

Heritage Experiences

STEAM RIDES

Ride historic steam locomotives on a new heritage railway celebrating Darlington’s railway legacy, the S&DR, and its bicentenary in a memorable experience