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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.

Free Entry | Please Donate

Opening Times

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

We're currently unable to run the River Don Engine due to a fault on the boiler. Our Historic Engineering team are working to fix the problem and we'll have the engine back in steam as soon as possible

The Upper Transport Gallery and Simplex Car display will be closed for events on Sat 21, Fri 27 Sep & Thu 3 Oct

Due to a fault with the lift at Kelham Island Museum there is currently no step-free access to the Transport Gallery

Kelham Island Museum

Alma Street

Sheffield

S3 8RY

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

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Find out everything you need to plan your visit, from getting here to onsite facilities.

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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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