Head of Steam (previously Darlington Railway centre and Museum) are emailing their monthly newsletters to the group. They can be found in the list below.
Coronavirus - temporary museum closure.
Corona virus closes museum.
Street Wise: What’s in a name? Saturday 14th March to Sunday 28th June 2020 in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Darlington’s streets are named after mayors, industrialists, landmarks and many more surprising people and places. Discover more about Darlington’s history in an exhibition curated by Robin Coulthard. Included in admission and yearly passes.
Saturday 8th February 2020 1.45pm in the Meeting Room. Afternoon Lectures: G5 Locomotive Company by Bernard Morris. FREE to members of the Friends, non-members welcome, (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
14th, 15th, 21nd & 22rd December 2019 10am - 4pm Meet Santa in our magical grotto and receive a Christmas present, entertainment includes mini train ride, arts and crafts. Entrance fee applies and booking is essential, contact the museum for more details.
Half Term Activities, Wednesday 30th October to Friday 1st November.
Join in with storytelling, songs and games with Captain Raggybeard or solve a murder mystery with Tall Tales Mysteries. Our regular Station Scamps session will be on as usual followed by craft activities. Some sessions must be booked in advance, please contact the museum for more details.
Heritage Open Days,Saturday 14th September & Sunday 15th September. Come along and enjoy free access to Head of Steam museum as we participate in the national Heritage Open Days.
Summer holiday family actvities.
All the Fun of the Fair on Sunday 21st July 2019 10.00am - 4.00pm in the Museum. Come along and join in the fun at Head of Steam Fun at the Fair Family Fun Day, entertainment includes: mini train ride, face painting, arts and crafts, Punch and Judy and much more. £2 entrance fee for adults, £1 for children, under 5’s are free and family members go free.
Moon Exhibition. Saturday 15th June - Monday 26th August 2019 in Meeting Room. Have you ever touched a piece of moon rock? Humanity has gazed up at the moon for millennia, but now we’ve brought it a little closer to Earth. Explore moon mythology; discover the science behind our nearest neighbour; re-live historic moments in space exploration; and touch one of the rarest items on Earth. This exhibition will appeal to families and space enthusiasts of all ages. Normal entrance fee.
Vintage Vehicle Rally, Sunday 19th May 2019 - 10am - 4pm in the Museum Gardens and Field. A variety of rare and unusual vintage vehicles from across the North East and Yorkshire regions gather again for this popular event. Activities include mini train ride, arts and crafts and children’s entertainment. £2 entrance fee for adults, £1 for children, under 5s are free and family pass holders are free.
Easter Activities, Tuesday 9th April to Friday 19th April at the Museum. Come along to the museum for two weeks of family fun activities including, Captain Raggybeard, Cool Science Parties, biscuit and chocolate workshops and our regular Station Scamps sessions. Some sessions need to be booked, please contact the museum for more details. All activities are included in normal admission and family passes.
‘A Year in the Making’: An exhibition by Peter Giroux Saturday 9th March 2019—Sunday 2nd June 2019 in Temporary Exhibition Gallery. A selection of local images from 2018 by Peter Giroux. Normal entrance fee. Contact museum for opening times.
Afternoon Lectures: North Yorkshire Moors Railway by Philip Benham Saturday 9th February 2019 1.45pm Meeting Room FREE to members of the Friends, non-members welcome, (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
The year ahead…
We have a number of exciting exhibitions and events planned for 2019, including "Peter Giroux Photography Exhibition".
Santa at the Station, 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd December 2018 10am - 4pm in Museum Meet Santa in our magical grotto and receive a Christmas present, entertainment includes mini train ride, arts and crafts. Entrance fee applies and booking is essential, contact the museum for more details.
Vote100: Railways, Women & World War One, Saturday 10th November 2018 - Sunday 13th January 2019 11.00am - 3.30pm Temporary Exhibition Room.
Join us as we commemorate 100 years of the UK Parliamentary vote for some women and all men. Our exhibition will investigate whether women’s work on the railways during World War One helped them to get the vote and if gaining the right to vote had an impact on women working on the railways. Normal entrance fee.
Halloween Fun Day,Sunday 28th October , 11.00am—3.30pm Museum. Come along to our specially decorated museum in your favourite Halloween Costume, there will be a magician, arts and crafts and a spooky treasure hunt to entertain the little ones! Normal entrance fee.
193rd Birthday Celebration
Sunday 30th September 2018, 10.00am-4.00pm in Museum and gardens
Come along to Head of Steam to celebrate the birthday of the S&DR. Entertainment includes storytelling, children’s entertainer, face paint-ing, Victorian games, dancers, guided tours, talks, punch and judy, stalls and much much more. Free entry.
Time Travel Tuesdays,Tuesday 24th July—21 August 2018 10.00am—3.00pm, Northern Rail Activity Room. Come along and travel with us to get a taste of what life was like at different times in the past, visiting a different historical period each week. Activities provided by That History Bloke included in admission and yearly passes.
Fashion on a Plate: 1950s Contemporary Tableware. Saturday 14th July—Sunday 2nd September 2018 in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery. This attractive and colourful exhibition gives a taste of some of the modern and striking tableware produced during the 1950s. Normal entrance fee.
NERA Exhibition: The Richmond Branch, Tuesday 5th June- Sunday 15th July, Museum Platform. A photographic exhibition curated by the North Eastern Railway Association. Normal entrance fee.
Vintage Vehicle Rally, Sunday 21st May 2017, 11am - 3pm, Museum Gardens and Field. A variety of rare and unusual vintage vehicles from across the North East and Yorkshire regions gather again for this popular event, activities include mini train ride, arts and crafts juggling and balloon making. £2 entrance fee for adults, £1 for children, under 5’s are free and family members go free.
Easter Sunday 1st April 2018 in the Museum: join us for a “Eggstraspecial” Easter treat, activities include, Egg Hunt, face painting, arts and crafts and lots more. £2 for adults, £1 for children, under 5s go free. Included in annual passes.