19 pictures as vehicles tackle 2026 Beamish Reliability Run

The event offered a nostalgic spectacle as classic cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles weaved through the region on a 150-mile route on Sunday (June 21)

The vehicles, all registered before 1956, or for motorcycles pre-1961, traversed a scenic route that started and finished at Beamish Museum, passing through County Durham and the Yorkshire Dales, including on historic trial routes from the 1920s and 1930s.

(Image: Andy Futers)

Notable landmarks along the journey included the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, the Stang Forest hills, the Buttertubs Pass, and a lunch stop at Bainbridge.

(Image: Andy Futers)

The route also took participants to the Tan Hill Inn, Britain's highest pub at 1,732 feet above sea level.

Residents and visitors in Reeth, Swaledale, were treated to the sight of the vintage vehicles passing through the village twice.

The event is not just a spectacle but also a competitive challenge.

(Image: Andy Futers)

Participants are quizzed at up to 10 checkpoints on topics including the Highway Code past and present), motoring history, and basic vehicle maintenance.

Entrants are also observed on hill climbs, including the Silver Hill near Keld.

Scores from these challenges determined whether participants were awarded gold, silver, bronze, or red enamel year bars.

The Beamish Safety and Reliability Run was revived in 1970 by the Friends of Beamish Museum and has been held annually since.

The modern event has now been running twice as long as the original motor trials it commemorates.

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)