The Train Pull Challenge
The last Wednesday of every month (Aug to Nov)
Put your team’s strength to the test and help save a piece of Dockyard history.
Think your team has what it takes? At The Historic Dockyard Chatham, you’ll harness up alongside your colleagues, friends, or gym group and pull Overlord, a 21-tonne diesel locomotive with a genuinely remarkable historic past, 50 metres along the railway track in front of our iconic slips.
It’s physical, its brilliant fun, a challenge to remember and every entry helps us raise funds to restore our steam locomotive Ajax in time for her 90th birthday.
Raise Funds for Ajax While You Pull
Every Train Pull Challenge team is asked to commit to a minimum fundraising pledge of Β£500 per team (around Β£45 per participant), with every penny going straight into our Β£100,000 campaign to restore Ajax, a steam locomotive built in 1941 that served the Dockyard for decades and is one of just six surviving locomotives from an original fleet of 31.
Raising your pledge is entirely up to you, sponsorship from your organisation, friends, family or colleagues, a quiz night, a raffle. We can help you set up a JustGiving page and can give you all the support you need to get started, including fundraising materials and guidance.
Whoβs up for it?
Whether you’re a corporate team looking for something different from the usual away-day, a gym group ready to put your training to the test, or simply a group of friends who fancy bragging rights down the pub, this challenge is built for you. No experience required. Just grit, teamwork, and a decent pair of trainers.
How it works
Gather your team of 11, get harnessed up, and take your position on the track. With a Dockyard Marshal at your side and the countdown underway, it’s down to leg drive, low centres of gravity, and pulling together to haul Overlord the full 50 metres. Fastest time wins the day, but every team that crosses the line is a winner for Ajax.
- Arrive and check in at The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s Ticket Desk
- Complete a short Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and Waiver
- Watch a Welcome and Safety Induction Video
- Get harnessed up and briefed by our team
- Take your position on the rope⦠and pull!
Where and When?
| Dates | The last Wednesday of every month, August to November. – 26 August 2026 – 30 September 2026 – 28 October 2026 – 25 November 2026 |
| Times | Four time slots daily: 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm |
| Location | Museum Square, The Historic Dockyard Chatham |
Ready to Pull Your Weight?
Book your team’s slot today, rally your sponsors, and become part of the story that saves Ajax for future generations.
All proceeds support the restoration of steam locomotive Ajax, operated by our dedicated team of railway volunteers.
Complete this form and we will be in touch to help plan your epic day.
