Steampunk Railway Galas

[Maybach]

I've got a friend who's just got into 'Steampunk' (that strange genre that combines Victorian-era steam power with science fiction & fantasy) and he wondered whether any preserved railways (sorry, heritage lines!) hold steampunk gala weekends?

I've got a feeling that the Great Central tried something a few years back (although it might have fallen foul of the Covid pandemic), and I also believe the Keighley & Worth Valley hold an event at Haworth each year - but not much beyond that.

You could argue that Victorian-era steam trains are, by their very definition, 'steampunk' although presumably you've got to add in the science fiction & fantasy element. Quite how heritage lines do that, I don't know.

And would a steampunk gala weekend be of much interest to non-steampunk railway enthusiasts?

 

[Cowley]

My dad and I randomly found ourselves at the Crich Tramway steampunk event a couple of years ago and it was actually really good fun.
Looks like they’ve got another one in September.

https://www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/11556/

Our ever popular Steampunk event, in conjunction withSteampunks Always Welcome- Lincoln, is set to return for two amazing days!

A day of alternative history with spiffing entertainment and tea duelling!

Full programme will follow.

 

[John Webb]

Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coast, holds an annual steampunk weekend. But I don't think the N York Moors Railway does anything special that weekend.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Amberley Museum (which has a short narrow gauge railway) is doing a Steam Punk event.

Steampunk at Amberley - Amberley Museum

Come to Amberley Museum for Steampunk games such as airship racing, walking the plank, cheese rolling, teapot racing and tea duelling!

www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

Where better to celebrate a weekend of Steampunk than at a museum full of Victorian cogs and machinery? Come to Amberley Museum for Steampunk shenanigans – games such as airship racing, walking the plank, cheese rolling, teapot racing and tea duelling!

There will be stalls selling their wares and new acts trying out their talents around the site.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be there – the original Steampunk vehicle! Come and have a photo taken with it and meet the creator of this full-size replica.

Greg Chapman, the renowned magician, will be around the site doing close up magic and amazing you with mind reading.

Performances from The Sally’s, Major Blunder with his unique comic song about Steampunk, Leigh Pooley with his acoustic guitar and a gentle voice, will add to the atmosphere. By contrast, marvel at the juggling skills of Flaming Headcase!

 

[4SubAsociation]

The Kent and East Sussex are running a steam punk event on he 28th june.

Steampunk Saturday - Kent & East Sussex Railway

Steampunk We are excited to be working with Great Kentspectations for our next STEAMPUNK event Saturday 28th June 2025 Come join the fun and splendid madness at the K&ESR Steampunk Saturday! Join us for our first ever Mixology on the move event 13:10 and 15:40, hosted by Lift Your

kesr.org.uk

 

[alexl92]

The Middleton Railway in Leeds does a Steampunk Weekend which I gather is very popular.

 

[EvanDMU]

Steampunk at the Midland Railway Butterley on May 17-18 with Jinty 16440 on a train of Victorian carriages and 80080 on BR Mk1s. Plenty going on at the Swanwick site for this event, with all entry via Butterley station and the train.

 

[JLH4AC]

Nanty Narking Steampunk Extravaganza is returning to Lincolnshire Wolds Railway on the 3rd of August this year. https://www.lincolnshirewoldsrailway.co.uk/steampunk-info/

There are many other steampunk events at heritage railways this year, trains will be running as usual. I find that non-Steampunks often have fun at such events if they are up for a little bit of silly or geeky fun, or just like looking at the hard work and talent that goes into people's outfits and props.

 

[30907]

KWVR this year are marketing a Vintage Trains event to coincide with Haworth Steampunk over the May Bank Holiday.

 

[Iskra]

Steampunk at the Midland Railway Butterley on May 17-18 with Jinty 16440 on a train of Victorian carriages and 80080 on BR Mk1s. Plenty going on at the Swanwick site for this event, with all entry via Butterley station and the train.

That sounds a good locomotive combination. I've no interest in Steampunk, but I might be there for the trains

KWVR this year are marketing a Vintage Trains event to coincide with Haworth Steampunk over the May Bank Holiday.

I unknowingly attended this event last year and it was a good atmosphere, Steampunkers seem to like their real ale

 

[xotGD]

I unknowingly attended this event last year and it was a good atmosphere, Steampunkers seem to like their real ale

So did we. Our dog was a bit perturbed by some of the clothing!

 

[30907]

So did we. Our dog was a bit perturbed by some of the clothing!

As I remember the full 2-train service (no DMU) operated and it was busy.

 

[SeanG]

Beamish often has a number of Steampunk events which my wife attends. I believe there was some movement to get one at the Tanfield Railway but this fell through.

Haworth Steampunk events is not connected to the KWVR it is just a coincidence that it is in the same town, a bit like Whitby and the NYMR

 

[Maybach]

Thanks for all the replies. It's a pity that there's not an event a bit nearer to me - they definitely sound worth checking out! Unlike other galas, though, it seems as if it's more about the peripheral events rather than the trains themselves?

 

[tram21]

My dad and I randomly found ourselves at the Crich Tramway steampunk event a couple of years ago and it was actually really good fun.
Looks like they’ve got another one in September.

https://www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/11556/

Yes, we have one on 6th & 7th September. It's very popular and definitely worth going to!

 

[John Luxton]

I've got a friend who's just got into 'Steampunk' (that strange genre that combines Victorian-era steam power with science fiction & fantasy) and he wondered whether any preserved railways (sorry, heritage lines!) hold steampunk gala weekends? I've got a feeling that the Great Central tried something a few years back (although it might have fallen foul of the Covid pandemic) and I also believe the Keighley & Worth Valley hold an event at Haworth each year - but not much beyond that. You could argue that Victorian-era steam trains are, by their very definition, 'steampunk' although presumably you've got to add in the science fiction & fantasy element. Quite how heritage lines do that, I don't know. And would a steampunk gala weekend be of much interest to non-steampunk railway enthusiasts?

I must admit I have always found Steam Punk somewhat odd. As a regular flickr user I tend to see various whacky costumes quite often posted at heritage transport locations.

Whilst i can understand and like to see people dressed up in a costume to reflect a certain historic period be they a railway servant, passenger, napoleonic or civil war soldier I really just don't get steam punk.

Where did the idea originate from? Find it quite bizarre to be honest.

 

[StoneRoad]

I've seen quite a few SPers in Whitby - usually mixed in with the Goths ...

The origins date back to various Science Fiction authors in the 1960s [1987 specifically] and a fascination with steam powered gadgets / technology

Steampunk - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Maybach]

I was surprised to discover a separate subgenre called 'Dieselpunk' which combines diesel and gasoline-powered technology of the interwar period with retro-futuristic technology. I don't think it's anywhere near as popular as 'Steampunk' and I'm not aware of any heritage lines holding 'Dieselpunk' galas!

 

[Jan Mayen]

That'll be for next year.
Possibly next month, if a railway has empty space in the calendar.

 

[xotGD]

I was surprised to discover a separate subgenre called 'Dieselpunk' which combines diesel and gasoline-powered technology of the interwar period with retro-futuristic technology. I don't think it's anywhere near as popular as 'Steampunk' and I'm not aware of any heritage lines holding 'Dieselpunk' galas!

Don't know about Dieselpunk, but there are plenty of Dieselcrank galas!

 

[godfreycomplex]

Seen quite a few people in steampunk gear on heritage lines, and around the network. 20s and 30s style dressers (not sure if there's a name for them) also regulars. To be honest, universally pleasant, polite and kind people who are always bringing something to the enviroment around them.

If only I could say the same of the World War 2 fans...

 

[southernman99]

Yeovil Railway Centre wil be holding its third annual Steam Punk (with Classic Cars and Steam of course) on Sunday 13 July. Certainly a different event for us!

Pictures from 2024:-

Steam Punk 2024 at Yeovil Railway Centre

 

[Calthrop]

I must admit I have always found Steam Punk somewhat odd. As a regular flickr user I tend to see various whacky costumes quite often posted at heritage transport locations.

Whilst i can understand and like to see people dressed up in a costume to reflect a certain historic period be they a railway servant, passenger, napoleonic or civil war soldier I really just don't get steam punk.

Where did the idea originate from? Find it quite bizarre to be honest.

I was surprised to discover a separate subgenre called 'Dieselpunk' which combines diesel and gasoline-powered technology of the interwar period with retro-futuristic technology. I don't think it's anywhere near as popular as 'Steampunk' and I'm not aware of any heritage lines holding 'Dieselpunk' galas!

I would say that there's no limit to the weirdness of what the overall sci-fi / fantasy / alternative history genre -- quite a lot of writing in which, I enjoy -- dreams up !

Posts above reveal that re "steampunk" galas, any number of lines are at it -- I had no idea ! (My personal taste is not for heritage-railway galas -- prefer to visit lines on normal operating days.)

 

[John Webb]

Seen quite a few people in steampunk gear on heritage lines, and around the network. 20s and 30s style dressers (not sure if there's a name for them) also regulars. To be honest, universally pleasant, polite and kind people who are always bringing something to the enviroment around them.

If only I could say the same of the World War 2 fans...

Often, if for a specially-themed event around a particular period, they are referred to as 're-enactors'.