North Road Works 1863 - 1966: 6th April - 2nd June 2013 from 10:00am until 4:00pm
An exhibition jointly curated by the museum and the North Eastern Railway Association that explores and remembers the North Road Works site, the locomotives that were built there and the people who worked there 150 years after it opened in 1863. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
FESTIVAL OF THE NORTH EAST - Cleveland Bridge Company in photographs: Tuesday 7th May - Sunday 9th June 2013, 10:00am until 4:00pm
To celebrate the Festival of the North East the museum will be exhibiting a selection of photographs from the Cleveland Bridge Collection. The Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company, a Darlington based business, was established in 1877. The display will include photographs of projects undertaken in the North East, including the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
The Late Lectures: 'Armstrong's Alternative Alphabets' a lecture and photographs by Richard Barber: Thursday 2nd May 2013 at 7:15pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non-members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Vintage Vehicle Rally: Sunday 19th May 2013, 11:00am until 3:00pm
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. £1 entrance fee per person, family members go free.
Family Arts and Crafts: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1:00pm until 3:00pm, 28th - 31st May 2013
Join us in May half term for fun arts and crafts for all the family. Included in admission and yearly passes.
FESTIVAL OF THE NORTH EAST - The Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway UPCYCLED!: 31st May - 2nd June 2013, 10:00am until 4:00pm
As part of the Festival of the North East, Head of Steam Museum is celebrating with these fantastic arts based workshops. Come along and work with artist Yvonne Angela Preston. Using recycled and found materials, visitors will build a two- dimensional model of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Drop-in activities for families on the Friday and then Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Cubs and other children’s groups over the weekend. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
Uniformed groups should book in advance with Sarah Gouldsbrough on 01325 734128.
FESTIVAL OF THE NORTH EAST - The Late Lectures: 'Darlington's Forgotten Branch Lines' by David Corfield and Robin Coulthard of N.E.R.A: Thursday 6th June 2013 at 7:15pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non-members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Darlington's Forgotten Branch Lines: Throughout June 2013
An exhibition curated by the North Eastern Railway Association that remembers Darlington's forgotten branch lines through photographs from NERA's collections. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
FESTIVAL OF THE NORTH EAST - The Late Lectures: 'Steam in and around Darlington' a lecture by Chris Nettleton: Thursday 4th July 2013 at 7:15pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non-members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
The British Wildlife Photography Awards Exhibition - Winners 2012: Friday 7th June to Thursday 1st August 2013 10:00am until 4:00pm
This highly acclaimed and unique wildlife photography exhibition captivates visitors with outstanding and beautiful imagery. It is a celebration of British Wildlife as well as a showcase for the country's leading nature photographers.
Saving a Century: Tuesday 2nd - Wednesday 31st July, 10:00am until 4:00pm
Curated by leading architectural historian, Gavin Stamp, ‘Saving a Century’ uses archive photographs and material from throughout the Victorian Society's fifty years of fighting for historic buildings. The exhibition charts the successes and defeats of the organisation that has done so much to change public attitudes towards the best of nineteenth century architecture. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
Westbrook Heritage Trail Walk: Thursday 4th July 2013 at 2:00pm
Explore the fascinating history of the Westbrook area of Darlington and its links with the railways. Free of charge.
A Grand Day Out: 21st July 2013, 10:00am until 4:00pm
Come along to the museum’s Grand Day Out, entertainment includes flea circus, curiosity shop, coconut shy, Victorian arts and crafts, Victorian bicycles, Punch and Judy, swingy boats. £1 entrance fee for all, family members go free.
Summer Arts and Crafts: 23rd July - 30th August 2013 - every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1pm until 3pm throughout the summer
Drop in for a variety of fun arts and crafts activities for all the family to join in with. Summer holiday activities will have a Saxon theme to celebrate the Lindisfarne Gospels return to Durham. Included in admission and yearly passes.
Bookstart Bear Fun Day: Wednesday 31st July 2013 from 12:30pm until 3:30pm
Join Bookstart Bear for an afternoon of all things teddy bear! Stories, facepainting, crafts - why not bring your bear to join in the fun? Normal museum entrance fee applies.
The Art of Steam: Saturday 10th August 2013 to Sunday 6th October 2013, 10am until 4pm until the end of September. 11:00am until 3:30pm during October
A new exhibition by the renowned artist David Noble, a member of the Guild of Railway Artists.
North Eastern Signal Boxes: throughout September 2013, 10:00am until 4:00pm
An exhibition curated by the North Eastern Railway Association that remembers North Eastern signal boxes through photographs from NERA’s collections. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
The Late Lectures: 'The Advanced Passenger Train from a Different Slant' a lecture by Kit Spackman: Thursday 5th September 2013 at 7:15pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non-members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Westbrook Heritage Trail Walk: Sunday 15th September 2013 at 2:00pm
Explore the fascinating history of the Westbrook area of Darlington and its links with the railways. Free of charge.
Heritage Open Days and Darlington Model Railway Club weekend: 14th and 15th September 2013, 11:00am until 3:30pm
Come along and enjoy free access to the Head of Steam museum as we participate in the national Heritage Open Days! Not only enjoy free access to the museum, but also free guided tours by the Friends of the Museum. Plus, to celebrate their long connection with Head of Steam museum, Darlington Model Railway club will exhibit their working layouts for this special weekend, also watch demonstrations, buy from traders and, if you wish, tour the club rooms located on the museums site. Free entry.
The Afternoon Lectures: 'The Role of the Railroads in the American Civil War' a lecture by Ray State: Thursday 26th September 2013 at 1:45pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non-members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Scooby Doo and Little Boo! Halloween Fun Day: 27th October 2013, 11:00am until 4:00pm
Come along to our specially decorated museum and meet the canine crime-solving detective! Normal museum entrance fee applies.
Family Arts and Crafts: Thursday 31st October and Friday 1st November, 1:00pm until 3:00pm
Come and join us in October half term for autumn themed crafts for all the family. Included in admission and yearly passes.
The Afternoon Lectures: 'George and Robert Stephenson' a lecture by Geoff Hughes: Thursday 10th October 2013 at 1:45pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Track Across Time: 16th October 2013 until end of March 2014, 11:00am until 3:30pm
A ‘Cluster’ exhibition by Durham based artists and sculptors. As part of the celebrations associated with the 150th anniversary of the opening of North Road Works, Darlington, four local artists under the banner of ‘Cluster’ present a unique exhibition of contemporary work inspired by the area’s railway heritage. Carolyn Corfield, Vera Hynes, Michael Kusz and Graeme Rowatt work in a diversity of media, comprising ceramics, film, painting, sculpture and photography. Displayed amongst the permanent exhibits within Head of Steam Museum, their original pieces aim to enhance the visitor experience by delivering an evocative journey through the artists’ imagination. Normal museum entrance fee applies.
The Afternoon Lectures: ‘The Origins of the North
Eastern Railway’ a lecture by Charles McNab: Thursday 7th November 2013 at 1.45pm
Organised by the Friends of the Museum. Free to members of the Friends, non members welcome (please telephone the museum for membership or price details).
Christmas Gathering: 5th December 2013 at 1:45pm
The Friends and Museum Staff Christmas Gathering. Friends of the museum are invited to the museum for a buffet lunch, quiz and a glass of mulled wine as the museum thanks them for another year of assistance. Contact the museum if you would like to become a member.
Santa at the Station: 8th, 14th, 15th and 21st December 2013, 10am until 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 museum.