The Association was formed in 1977 as The Monkwearmouth Station Museum Association for the purpose of assisting the then named Tyne & Wear Joint Museums Service to restore railway related items at the former Goods Shed at Monkwearmouth, Sunderland.

The first items to receive members' attention were Consett Iron Company's diesel locomotive No 10 and steam locomotive A No. 5.

A deteriorating roof on the Goods Shed necessitated the transference of the items in 1981 to the former Metro Test Track & Centre at Middle Engine Lane, West Chirton, in the district of North Tyneside which was owned by the Local Authority. The local authority developed a steam hauled passenger service using A No. 5 on the 1 3/4 mile track between Middle Engine Lane and Percy Main Village. The Association altered its name to reflect this change of venue and purpose. The exhibit hall became known as The Stephenson Railway Museum.

The on-site purpose-built railway workshop accommodation has allowed members to work on exhibits in a comfortable, well lit environment.

Additional exhibits have been acquired by Tyne Wear Museums & Archives (who now operate the site); North Tyneside Council, and ourselves. As well as carrying out restoration and maintenance work on these, members crew the opearational trains and stations as well as assisting with the managment of many special events such as the very successful Santa Specials.

All day Wednesday & Saturday are the periods when most members meet to carry out restoration and maintenance work. Junior members are allowed to join in providing they are accompanied by an adult.

About once a year trips to other preserved railways and museums are organised for the benefit of members.