STEAM-POWERED toys, boats and trains will take centre stage at Leicester’s Abbey Pumping Station later this month.
Tickets are now on sale for the popular Steam Toys in Action event, which will give visitors the chance to go back in time and enjoy a nostalgic day out, with a wide range of steam-powered toys and vintage vehicles on display.
Historic fire engines, vintage buses, a milk float and an old electric bread van will be amongst the vehicles on show at the event on Sunday 22 February, while visitors will also be able to see the pumping station’s magnificent beam engine in full steam.
There will be rides on the steam-powered narrow-gauge railway (50p charge), while the Forget me Not mini railway – built and maintained by the dedicated volunteers of the Leicester Museums Technology Association – will be running throughout the day too.
The pumping station’s café will be open for refreshments, while a vintage coal-fired chip van will be selling freshly-fried chips.
Steam Toys in Action runs from 12 noon until 4.30pm on Sunday 22 February at the Abbey Pumping Station.
Tickets can be bought online at a reduced price of £6 for adults, £2 for children (no charge for the under-fives) and £5 for students and those aged 60 and over. A family ticket (two adults, two children) is £15 when bought in advance.
Tickets bought on the door are £7 for adults, £3 for children, £6 for concessions and £18 for a family ticket.
For more information about Steam Toys in Action, visit leicestermuseums.org/whats-on or call the Abbey Pumping Station on 0116 299 5111.
The following week – on Saturday 28 February – there’s a chance for anyone with an interest in the story of the pumping station, or a fascination for Victorian engineering, to join a behind-the-scenes tour.
The Steam with the Team guided tour will take in areas of the pumping station that are normally closed to the public, including the basement beneath the running engines.
Those signing up for the hour-long tours – which are not suitable for children under 10 – are advised to wear shoes and clothing appropriate for a working engine room.
Advance tickets are £9 for adults (£8 concessions) when booked online, with those turning up on the day paying £10 (adults) and £9 (concessions) on the door.
More information is available at leicestermuseums.org/whats-on