Events – Industrial Railway Society

Industrial Railway Society Events and Visits

We do organise visits to industrial and heritage railway sites during the year for members and usually guests as well. Once details are confirmed they will be announced here.

Ashton Packet Boat Co. Ltd, Guide Bridge, Greater Manchester

A visit to view the narrow gauge railway at this boat yard has been arranged for Tuesday 30th June, probably starting at 10:30. Stout footwear is recommended and please be aware that there is a steep descent into the yard.

The charge is £15 a head, payable cash on the day, but as there is a limit on the numbers attending advance booking is required. Please contact huw.williams212@btinternet.com to confirm whether places are still available. Non-members are welcome to attend but must take out day membership at www.irsshop.co.uk/IRSDayMember first (after it has been confirmed that a place is available for you).

North Derbyshire, Saturday 18th July

A day out in North Derbyshire, beginning at 9:30 with a DMU shuttle from Rowsley South to Darley Dale to visit Pete and Andrew Briddon at their Darley Dale workshop. The stock is constantly changing but there will be a number of diesel shunters on site, plus a few other rail and R/R vehicles, including two Miniloks. Subject to loco availability cab rides should also be on offer. Pete Briddon has more the 40 years’ experience of building and operating industrial diesel shunters, so this will provide a good opportunity to ask him any questions on the subject.
Following that visit we will take the 11:15 from Darley Dale to Matlock (steam hauled), returning to Rowsley for lunch and a tour of the Heritage Shunters Trust sheds at 1pm and Peak Rail shed at Rowsley at 2pm. The afternoon will conclude with a visit to the Ashover Light Railway, where it is hoped the unique Spondon battery loco and the recently arrived Moes will be in action.
All elements of the programme can be booked separately, so you only need pay for those which are of interest to you. The rates are:

Peak Rail: £10 (a 30% reduction on their normal fare). The shed tour is included in the price (but cash donations to the Royal Pioneer (RSHN 7136) restoration fund would be welcome).
The Briddons: £15
Heritage Shunters Trust: £5 cash donation on the day
Ashover Light Railway: £10

Non-members are welcome to attend any of these, but will need to take out day membership for £2 (covering all four elements).

Payment in advance is required, except for the Heritage Shunters Trust. Payments can be made online at www.irsshop.co.uk/260718

Bookings close on 15th July, after which tickets will be non-refundable (unless the events are cancelled).

Sales Stand

The Sales Stand is scheduled to attend the following events:

Amberley Museum Rail Gala, Amberley – 18^th and 19^th July
Garden Railway Show, Lymington Community Centre, Lymington – 8^th and 9^th August

Other Links & Events

From time to time members of the Industrial Railway Society and the IRS emailing list send in details of various events and open days around the country. As a service to members and other visitors to our website we can list these below, or in our bi-monthly newsletter, together with the sender’s name and email address (when known).

However please note that the IRS cannot take any responsibility for the accuracy of these announcements or even be sure whether they will actually take place. If you have any queries, please address them to the relevant society, NOT the IRS.

If you would like your event listed please email the Bulletin Editor.

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Skegness

2026 Services

The LCLR will operate trains on the following dates in 2026:

Steam: 18^th & 25^th July; 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th August.

Diesel: 27^thMay; 6^th, 13^th& 27^thJune; 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th July; 3^rd, 5^th, 10^th, 12^th, 17^th, 19^th, 24^th, 26^th & 30^th August; 2^nd, 5^th, 12^th, 13^th, 19^th & 26^th September; and 24^th October.

Please note that on Steam Days the first trains will be Diesel hauled, with the steam loco taking over about 11.30. Final train may also be diesel hauled.

On all days the first train departs at 10.30 – final train 15.45.

Fares: Adults & Children over 3 years old £2. Family ticket (2+3) £5. Dogs free.

Drive a Diesel

The Stephenson Steam Railway Museum, North Tyneside

Saturdays 9 May, 20 June, 19 September and 17 October.

Step into the cab of 03078 and take control in this hands-on driving experience as you operate and learn all about this classic British Rail Class 03 shunter, under expert tuition from our qualified instructors. You’ll learn how to prepare, start up and operate this powerful machine before collecting some wagons and taking a freight train for a run out on the line.

Click on the image for more information.

LORD GRANBY Open Day

The Eastwell Heritage Centre, Sunday 16th August.

3ft gauge 0-4-0ST LORD GRANBY (Hudswell Clarke 633 of 1902) will be on display at Eastwell Heritage Centre, Cross Roads Farm, Eastwell, Leicestershire LE14 4EF from 10:00 to 16:00 hours. Also on display will be a truck used to carry the ore and artefacts from times past and classic cars, with audio-visual and static displays to explain the origins and the activities of the ironstone workings. Free entry (donation appreciated) free parking, refreshments available.