Historic Leeds Locomotive Gallery to Reopen in 2027

Major funding secures future of Leeds Industrial Museum’s railway collection

Plans to reopen the locomotive gallery at Leeds Industrial Museum have received a significant funding boost, enabling the restoration and refurbishment of the site following damage sustained in the 2015 Boxing Day floods. The gallery, which houses a collection of historic locomotives built in Leeds, is scheduled to reopen in summer 2027 after more than a decade of closure.

Background and funding

The locomotive shed at Leeds Industrial Museum was severely damaged by flooding on 26 December 2015, when Storm Eva caused parts of the site to be submerged under up to eight feet of water. While the museum itself reopened three months later, the locomotive sheds remained closed due to the extent of the damage.

Since then, extensive flood protection measures have been implemented as part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 to safeguard the museum from future flooding. Structural work funded by Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund between 2023 and 2025 stabilised the locomotive shed and improved environmental controls.

Most recently, the project received a grant of £233,125 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund under the ‘Reimagining Railways’ initiative. This funding will support the final stage of refurbishment, allowing the gallery to reopen to the public.

Collection and future plans

The gallery will once again display locomotives including the Junin and Aldwyth engines, both manufactured over 100 years ago by Manning Wardle, a Leeds-based engineering firm known for exporting locomotives worldwide. The refurbished gallery aims to connect these machines to broader local and global narratives involving people, place, and the environment.

In addition to the static displays, the museum plans to operate a Leeds-built locomotive on its recently renovated narrow-gauge track during special events in the coming years.

Statements from museum and council representatives

Chris Sharp, keeper at Leeds Industrial Museum, commented on the importance of the locomotives: “These historic engines are such an important part of the city’s story and each played their part in putting Leeds on the map as a centre of innovation and industry.”

He also acknowledged the efforts of staff and volunteers following the floods and expressed gratitude for the funding support: “We’re so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who worked so hard in the aftermath of the floods to preserve the museum and the locos and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in making this exciting project a reality.”

Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, highlighted the significance of the project: “These remarkable machines have been part of our local heritage for generations and it’s wonderful to be adding another exciting chapter to their story and to the unique story of Leeds Industrial Museum.”

She added: “The project to get the locomotive sheds open again has involved so much hard work and tireless dedication from everyone at the site too and it will be a special moment for all those involved when we can finally welcome back visitors next summer.”

Visitor information

• The Leeds Industrial Museum Railway Gallery is expected to reopen in summer 2027.
• Access to the gallery will be included with the general museum admission ticket.
• Future plans include running a Leeds-built locomotive on the museum’s narrow-gauge track for special events.