Dartmouth Newcomen Steam Festival

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

🚂 Diesel in service this Sunday! 🚂

We will not be operating steam locomotives on Sunday 16th August - but our heritage Class 37 diesel locomotives will be in service instead! 🛤️

Come along and enjoy a fantastic day on the railway! 💙

www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

26/07/2026

THANK YOU!!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the FIRST Newcomen Steam Festival yesterday!

It was a day of heritage railways, the history of our very own railway Dartmouth Steam Railway, Dartmouth’s Steam heritage, talks on the Hulse Models, Brunel, Thomas Newcomen & the PS Kingswear Castle, kids activities and so much more!

See you next year! Mark your calendars: 24th July 2027 🚂

24/07/2026

🚂 TOMORROW AT THE FLAVEL ARTS CENTRE

Four fascinating talks exploring the people, inventions and engineering that changed Britain, and the world.

⚙️ Discover the story of Thomas Newcomen, Dartmouth’s pioneering inventor, from the man behind the steam engine to the machine that launched the Industrial Revolution.

🛠️ Hear from internationally recognised experts, including model engineer David Hulse and Newcomen historian James Greener.

🚢 Celebrate 100 years of Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle and discover the remarkable story of Britain’s last coal fired paddle steamer.

🚆 Uncover Brunel’s greatest failure: the extraordinary South Devon Atmospheric Railway and why one of Victorian engineering’s boldest ideas collapsed.

📍 Perfect for history lovers, engineers, railway enthusiasts and families.

🚂 Stay for one talk or enjoy the whole day and discover how South Devon helped shape the modern world. All at the Newcomen Steam Festival

21/07/2026

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS 🚂

Caterfood
Dartmouth Steam Railway
Flavel Arts Centre
Dart Marina Hotel
Dartmouth Town Council
SHDC Councillor Ged Yardy
SHDC Councillor Jonathan Hawkins
St Petrox Trust

18/07/2026

One week to go!

You might have seen some of our posters or flyers around town! You might have seen information in our school newsletters. You might have seen our articles in By the Dart, The Dartmouth Chronicle, Railway Modeller, The Model Engineering Magazine or one of the other many publications!

One week to go!

We can’t wait to see you at the first ever Newcomen Steam Festival!

13/07/2026

11/07/2026

Looking a bit dishevelled BUT allow it (it’s hot!!!)

Here is everything going on at the FIRST EVER Newcomen Steam Festival!

Trains, boats, paddle steamers, displays, models, talks, and more!

AND if you are coming into town for the event, please explore town and try some of our amazing restaurants and cafes, and visit some of our beautiful shops!

We can’t wait to see you at our event 🚂🚂

09/07/2026

WHAT’S ON IN Dartmouth Library at the Dartmouth Newcomen Steam Festival 🚂

Wheels & Wonders: Make your own vehicles, learn about Steam & STEM! AND we have two storyteller sessions, one morning and one afternoon all about Steam and Newcomen!

07/07/2026

Did you know that the Dartmouth Visitor Centre is home to the ORIGINAL Newcomen Atmospheric Engine?

You can see the Engine during our Steam Festival as part of our self guided timeline tour as you learn all about Dartmouth’s connection to steam! Pick up a tour from any of our Team Steam team on orange on the day!

And if you can’t join us on the day, be sure to pop into the Visitor Centre Monday-Saturday to learn all about it!