Skip to the content
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

The Upper Transport Gallery and Simplex Car display will be closed for events on Sat 16 Nov, Sat 23 Nov & Fri 6 Dec

***Kelham Island Museum will be closed for event set-up and take down on Thu 28, Fri 29 Nov & Tue 3 Nov. The Museum will be open on Sat 30 Nov & Sun 1 Dec for the Victorian Christmas Market, entry £8 adults / £2 children (5-16 years) / under 5s free. The museum will reopen as usual from Wed 4 Dec***

Kelham Island Museum

Alma Street

Sheffield

S3 8RY

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

Plan your visit

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

Find out more
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.

 

Find out more

 

 

More to see and explore

View all

Events at Kelham Island Museum

View all

Support Us

Donate today

Sheffield Museums is a charity. Your support helps keep your museums open and free for everyone to enjoy.

Read more

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. 

Find out more
Share
Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Pinterest