Steam Gala Day today!

We are delighted to welcome a very special visitor for our Steam Gala weekends – Hunslet 0-4-2 No.1842 Howard, appearing courtesy of the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust.

Joining Howard in service will be South Tynedale Railway’s own steam locomotives, Hunslet 0-4-2 No.1859 Green Dragon and Fabryka Lokomotyw 0-6-0 No.3459 Naklo, providing visitors with an exciting line-up of steam power across four days of gala operations.

A Great Day Out for Everyone

Whether you’re a dedicated railway enthusiast, photographer or simply looking for a memorable family day out, our Steam Gala has something for everyone.

Featuring locomotives from the railway’s own fleet and our special guest locomotive, visitors can enjoy heritage carriage rides, wonderful photographic opportunities, signal box tours and plenty of railway nostalgia, all set against the stunning scenery of the North Pennines.

Meet ‘Howard’

Built by Kerr Stuart to their renowned Brazil Class design, No.1842 was originally named Lady Morrison and supplied to British Aluminium’s 3ft gauge Lochaber Railway near Fort William, better known locally as the “Puggy Line”.

In 1969, the locomotive was purchased for preservation and moved to the Durley Light Railway in Hampshire. Here, it was regauged to 2ft gauge and rebuilt with side tanks, receiving its second name, Josephine.

Following its sale at auction in 2012, the locomotive moved to Statfold Barn Railway, where it underwent further restoration. During this work, it was returned to its original saddle tank appearance and received its third and current name, Howard, in honour of Graham Lee’s father.

Its visit to the South Tynedale Railway marks the locomotive’s first appearance away from Statfold Barn Railway, providing a rare opportunity to see this impressive locomotive in action outside its home railway. Don’t miss the chance to experience Howard amid the spectacular scenery of the North Pennines.

Our Home Fleet in Steam

Hunslet 0-4-2 No.1859 Green Dragon

Built by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds in 1937 (Works No.1859), Green Dragon formerly worked on the Umtwalumi Valley Estate (U.V.E.) sugar plantation in Natal, South Africa. Becoming “Number 1” on the U.V.E. roster, the locomotive remained in service until the early 1980s.

Following withdrawal, the locomotive was used as a stationary boiler before being placed on display at Mount Edgecombe in 1991. Purchased for preservation, it returned to the UK in 1997 and moved to Alston the following year.

Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, restoration work was undertaken by North Bay Engineering, Statfold Barn and the engineering department at the South Tynedale Railway. Following successful trials and hauling the Santa Specials at the end of 2018, Green Dragon entered regular traffic in 2019 and has since become a firm favourite with visitors to the railway.

Fabryka Lokomotyw 0-6-0 No.3459 Naklo

Originally built to serve the Nakło sugar beet factory at Chrzanów, Poland, No.3459 Naklo provides a fascinating contrast to our British-built locomotives.

Following an extensive rebuild at Alston, which resumed after a hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic, Naklo returned to traffic with a new boiler and an attractive Prussian Blue livery. The side tanks were restored and a compressor incorporated into the tender to provide brake air for the train.

Naklo has been back in service since August 2025 and will be in operation during the Steam Gala, adding further interest for enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Please note: All locomotives advertised are subject to availability and may be substituted without prior notice.

A Weekend for Enthusiasts

Railway enthusiasts can look forward to:

• Three steam locomotives in operation across the gala weekends
  • The opportunity to travel behind visiting locomotive No.1842 Howard
  • The first opportunity to see Howardoperating away from Statfold Barn Railway
  • Steam trains operating through beautiful North Pennine scenery
  • Excellent photographic opportunities throughout the line
  • Signal box tours.
  • A varied line-up of British and continental narrow-gauge steam locomotives

Train Services

Trains will operate to the South Tynedale Railway’s standard timetable on all four gala days, with services worked by Howard, Green Dragon and Naklo.

Tickets

Pre-book your tickets today!

Tickets purchased online are valid for one return journey only on your selected day of travel.

If you wish to travel on more than one departure during the day, please contact enquiries@south-tynedale-railway.org.uk to discuss the available options.

For those wishing to make the most of the gala, 2-day individual passes are available from the ticket office on the day of travel. These can also be booked in advance by emailing enquiries@south-tynedale-railway.org.uk.

Advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment and secure your place at this special four-day steam event.

Join us this July and experience three distinctive steam locomotives in action at the South Tynedale Railway – four days of steam, heritage and spectacular scenery in the heart of the North Pennines.