A new railway experience has steamed into a Manchester city centre museum for half term. A pop‑up miniature steam train has arrived at the Science and Industry Museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and play the role of passenger.
Running until Sunday 7th June, the museum is inviting visitors of all ages to discover the playful side of power with 16 days of hands‑on activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity and imagination. Highlights include rides on the miniature steam railway, interactive engineering sessions, live engine demonstrations, and drum performances inspired by the sounds and spirit of industrial Manchester.
Miniature steam train arrives at the world’s first inter-city passenger railway
Almost 200 years ago, the museum was the site of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world’s first inter-city passenger railway. This story is being brought back to life during May half-term with rides around part of the newly reopened outside space.
Hosted by Little British Rail, rides are priced at £4 (with under 1s going free) and can be booked in advance by visiting the museum’s website or booked on the day at the museum.
When is the miniature steam train open at the Science and Industry Museum?
The miniature railway is open from 10.30am to 4pm between Saturday 23rd May and Friday 29th May, and Monday 1st June and Sunday 7th June. However, there will be no miniature train rides on Saturday 30th May and Sunday 31st May.
What else is on at the Science and Industry Museum?
Interactive trails, live engine demonstrations and music workshops
Inside Power Hall, The Andrew Law Gallery—home to one of the UK’s largest collections of working steam engines—will come to life with interactive trails and live engine demonstrations celebrating Manchester’s industrial heritage.
Manchester-based percussion group Drumroots will host interactive workshops and performances inspired by the rhythms and sounds of historic steam engines, inviting visitors to create music and movement from the machinery of the past. During the final weekend of the holiday (5–7 June), members of the Urmston & District Model Engineering Society will bring a traction engine to the museum, giving visitors the chance to get up close to historic machines and experience transport history in action.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos and Power Up exhibitions
The fun continues with the museum’s exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, an interactive adventure through the Solar System packed with hands-on experiments and immersive challenges. Gaming fans can also enjoy Power Up, featuring more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games, available during the first week of the holiday and every weekend.
Plus, visitors can also play garden games in the outdoor space, relax on deckchairs or kick back with ice creams and snacks from a pop-up stall run by caterers, Benugo. Throughout the holidays, the museum’s café and Bistro will be serving new menus inspired by the railways and the foods that were transported between growing cities, as well as those used to sustain travellers on early train journeys.
Activities vary by date. For the full May half-term programme, visit the Science and Industry Museum website here.