Steam on the Dock returning to Liverpool
Steam on the Dock, one of the UK’s only inner-city steam rally, is to return to Liverpool’s Albert Dock next month.
The event, which has seen huge success in recent years, will become home to over 30 steam engines, boats and a train from May 6 – 7 at the Albert Dock, which is the North West’s most visited free tourist attraction and largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK.
New for 2017, Steam tug Kerne, a Titanic-era steamship, makes her Steam on the Dock debut. Built in 1912, Kerne has a long history with Liverpool, in 1971 becoming the last coal-fired steamer to work on the Mersey. Since then she has been saved from scrap and preserved as an operational steamship, and is now the last remaining Naval, coal-fired steamship to have seen service in two world wars, still in operation today.
At 1pm and 3pm both days, visitors will be treated to a steam showcase around Salthouse Dock, which will include a cavalry of steam engines, traditional brewer’s dray cart and shire horses and a marching band.
This year’s festival will also welcome even more land-based engines and miniatures to the Dock than ever before, a variety of classic steam narrowboats and a historic fairground organ. Mattel Play! Liverpool will also be joining in on the celebration, with free story times with The Fat Controller inside the attraction on The Colonnades.
Clare Rawlinson, marketing manager at Albert Dock Liverpool, said: “Almost 65,000 visitors attended Steam on the Dock last year – which was a massive success for Albert Dock Liverpool, particularly as it was a completely new event.
“It is with great excitement that we can announce this year’s programme with more steam engines than last year. It is clear that the Liverpool audience and steam community has taken Steam on the Dock to their hearts.
“Whether you’re bringing little boys and girls who love tooting trains and boats, or you’re a life-long steam buff who has a passion for engines from a bygone age, you’re in for a treat! A lot of these engines have faced the scrapyard during their lifetime, so it’s a unique opportunity to have them all here at the Dock for our visitors to see up close and looking and working like they did in their glory days.”
Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways will be returning to the event, bringing along Palmerston, a fully operational steam train, which will shuttle visitors up and down a track for a ride along Hartley Quay. The event will also see The Daniel “Danny” Adamson return to the Albert Dock for the public to explore.
There will also be a host of events and activities at Merseyside Maritime Museum, including face-painting fun for all the family on May 7 from 12 until 4pm.
