STEAM TRAINS AND FAIRYTALES
23rd and 24th May, 2026
Saturday
This event was the second year organised by the Ministry of Steampunk, but the first I attended with my friend Gloria. We went because the Newark steampunk event which we had originally planned to attend, didn't appear to be having much going on in the daytime this year owing to renovation works to the main venues. We were pleased we went instead to the two day 'Steam Trains and Fairytales' event, which was even closer to my home than Newark and had trade stands, talks, and various other 'happenings' common to other Ministry of Steampunk events. It was actually at the Midland Railway Swanwick Junction which is reached by heritage trains (including steam) from Butterley, near Ripley.
Sunday
For our second day, Sunday, at this event, I dressed as light as possible with my steampunk outfit as it was expected to be even hotter than the day before. I didn't even wear a wig or the corset that I usually wear with the outfit I chose. Actually, there did seem to be a bit more of a breeze this day, which made it slightly more comfortable.
Gloria and I arrived at Butterley Junction (near Ripley) around noon and took the heritage train to Swanwick Junction (just a few miles), arriving just in time to catch a talk about a monster hunting organisation called NIMPH. Then it was time for a photoshoot at the station just before catching the train back to Butterley. We wanted to leave early so we could get to Newark to meet some of my steampunk friends at a pizza evening at the Flying Circus pub. Unfortunately we did not stay very long as I was not feeling too well after sitting too long in the very hot sun.