Race the Train 3k Run – Stephenson Steam Railway, 17th May 2026

Do the locomotion? Susan Hillman sends her musings on a different kind of race:

“It was only quite recently that I became aware of a Race the Train event in Wales, but when I looked into the details it was very obviously much too hard-core for me. So imagine my delight then, when I discovered a somewhat more feasible prospect much closer to home in the form of a 3k Race the Train fun run at the Stephenson Steam Railway at North Shields. I was in!

So there I was on a fine Sunday morning, joined by Nina, Tara, Julie and Peter, boarding the the train at the railway museum for the short journey to Percy Main; where the runners would disembark ready for the race back to the start. We travelled in delightful old carriages, the like of which even I struggle to remember being in service. It was hauled by (for those of us who need to know these details) a Class 08 diesel shunter.

After a brief wait while the shunter was moved to the other end of the train (like they used to do in the old days) it blew its whistle to signal the start of the race.

It would be churlish of me to suggest the train had an unfair advantage, even though I am sure its course was shorter than ours – because obviously there was no way I was ever going to get in before the train. But given that there was no timing at this event, no-one will ever be able to prove that I didn’t.

Nonetheless, this was huge fun. This was the first time the Stephenson Steam Railway have run this event but I hope they do it again.”