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A small group of adults and children viewed from behind, looking up at the River Don Steam Engine. A small group of adults and children viewed from behind, looking up at the River Don Steam Engine.

© Andy Brown

© Andy Brown

River Don Engine

Continuing Display

Kelham Island Museum

The most powerful working steam engine in Europe, the mighty River Don Engine is an unmissable part of any visit to Kelham Island Museum. Experience the roar and rumble of this massive 425 ton engine in steam twice daily at 12noon and 2pm, Thursday-Sunday.

 

The River Don Engine was built by Davy Brothers of Sheffield in 1905. It was made to drive Charles Cammell's armour plate rolling mill at Grimesthorpe Works, which supplied the ship building industry with tough armour plate steel. With a staggering 12,000 horsepower, it enabled the huge mill to roll steel plate up to 40cm thick and 50 tons in weight.


Suggested donation £5 – Please donate and help safeguard the remarkable collections that make Sheffield’s cultural heritage so unique.

Free Entry | Please Donate £5

Opening Times

Tue-Sat 10am-4pm | Sun 11am-4pm

Closed Mondays including Bank Holidays

See the River Don Engine in steam at 12pm and 2pm, Thursday - Sunday

***Kelham Island Museum will be closed on Tue 11 Nov for staff training. We're sorry if you were hoping to visit then, the museum will open as usual from Wed 12 Nov***

***The Upper Transport Gallery and Simplex Car display are closed for an event on Tue 4 Nov***

***The Museum will be closed for event set-up on Thu 4 & Fri 5 Dec. It will then be open on Sat 6 & Sun 7 Dec for the ticketed Victorian Christmas Market. It will be closed for event takedown on Tue 9 Dec and then reopen as usual from Wed 10 Dec***

Kelham Island Museum

Alma Street

Sheffield

S3 8RY

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A donation from you could supercharge children’s learning, help people unlock their creativity and see visitors embark on journeys of discovery that last a lifetime. 

Donate today and your donation will be doubled – making twice the difference, at no extra cost to you!

 

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An adult and a child smiling at each other and holding hands in front of museum displays

 

 

Find out more about the River Don Engine and see it in action:

  

 

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A group of adults and children looking at the River Don Engine.

Museum Gift Experience: Run the River Don Engine

Our unforgettable museum experience packages – including a chance to run the mighty River Don Engine –  are a present guaranteed to wow that special someone.

As well as making their day (or maybe treating yourself), you’ll also be giving an important gift to your museums – raising vital funds to help keep them free and open for everyone to enjoy, all year round.

 

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Step back in time at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

Explore the industry that shaped Sheffield and immerse yourself in life at home and at work at this rural scythe and steelworks,  just a 10 minute walk from Millhouses Park. 

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