STEAM TO THE FUTURE 未来への蒸気
This exhibition by A.A.Murakami takes a playful look at the future using commissioned art pieces showcasing the science behind how locomotives and steam works
Railway Pioneers Exhibition
S&DR200 Presents: Railway Pioneers - Celebrating the Railway Rockstars of the Past
In celebration of start of the S&DR200 bicentennial anniversary festival, three iconic locomotives will be on show in the historic Grade II listed Carriage Works right here at Hopetown Darlington
The locomotives illustrate the advancements of rail technology in the early 19th century and the engineering innovation which led to the opening of the S&DR in 1825. These early locomotives were critical to future rail success, and Railway Pioneers is a unique opportunity to see them all in one place.
The original preserved Locomotion No.1 will be returning to Darlington as one of these engines. This iconic engine, designed and driven by George Stephenson on the historical first journey in 1825, is an integral part of Darlington’s history, included both on the town’s coat of arms and the football team's crest. Joining Locomotion No.1 are two other classic locomotives - the Penydarren, designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804, and Steam Elephant, designed by John Buddle and William Chapman in 1815.
Loans for Railway Pioneers – celebrating the rockstars of the past: National Railway Museum, Beamish - The Living Museum Of The North, Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales, Institute of Mechanical Engineering.
Funders for Railway Pioneers – celebrating the rockstars of the past: Arts Council England.
With thanks to: National Railway Museum, The Story, Durham Archives, Common Rooms, IMechE.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Jump aboard North East England’s only permanent immersive experience ride! Join Georgie and Stephen on an extraordinarily vivid journey into passenger rail travel! Starting right here in Darlington in 1825 with Locomotion No. 1's first steam-powered passenger railway journey, take an exciting ride into the past to discover more about the history of the railways, and imagine where they will take us in the future! See the impact Darlington's railway heritage has had across societies and cultures across time and around the world.
Cost: £5 per passenger
Where: North Road Station Museum at Hopetown Darlington
When: Daily, 10am-5pm
Discover true, historical facts about the Stockton & Darlington Railway on this fun journey across all areas of the Hopetown Darlington site. Families can pick up a ‘Little Pioneers Trail’ from the main entrance and follow the clues on the trail to learn about the S&DR and to find eight hidden letters to spell out a word associated with the Railway Pioneers exhibition. Swap your trail for a little sticker at the end!
Cost: Free
Where: Hopetown Darlington (site wide)
When: Daily, 10am-5pm until Sunday 22 June
Hopetown Darlington is pleased to welcome John Addyman from the North Eastern Railway Association (NERA) to divulge the history of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and North Eastern Railay in the Weardale area from the early 19th Century until the mid 20th Century, and the use of the Weardale railway today. The lecture will finish with a Q&A session with John.
Cost: Free
Where: North Road Station Museum at Hopetown Darlington
When: Saturday 7 June, 2pm-3.30pm
Join rail historian and author Richard Barber at Hopetown Darlington for a very special talk on this most significant year - the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway that kick started the birth of the modern railway. We'll take a look back on the 1875, 1925 and 1975 S&DR anniversary celebrations, and the planned celebrations of 2000 and 2025.
Cost: Free
Where: North Road Station Museum at Hopetown Darlington
When: Saturday 24 May, 2pm-4pm
What do you think life might have been like 200 years ago? Bring history to life in this creative writing workshop with renowned writer Bob Beagrie. Take part in reawakening the lost art of letter writing. A time-capsule in reverse, tell a character from the past about your life in 2025, and hear how theirs in 1825 differed. This is a day-long workshop of creative writing and historical research, so bring a packed lunch! It is aimed at children aged 12-17.
Cost: Free
Where: North Road Station Museum at Hopetown Darlington
When: Friday 25 April, 10am-3pm
Alison Grange, Hopetown Darlington’s Collections and Engagement Manager, will provide a comprehensive overview of the history and significance of the three iconic locomotives on display in the Railway Pioneers exhibition, what links them together and the story of pulling the locomotives together for the exhibition.
Cost: £10 per person
Where: The Exhibition Hall inside the Carriage Works at Hopetown Darlington
When: Please see dates below. Tours are between 10.30am-11.30am
Wednesday 23 April
Wednesday 7 May
Saturday 10 May
Wednesday 21 May
Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 7 June
Wednesday 18 June
Join us for free family drop-in railway-themed craft activities every weekend during the Railway Pioneers exhibition. Design, decorate and construct a model of the famous Locomotion No 1.* These crafts are delivered by Hopetown Darlington in partnership the S&DR Community Partnership Team.
Cost: Free of charge
Where: The Exhibition Hall inside the Carriage Works at Hopetown Darlington
When: Saturdays and Sundays between 6 April – 22 June
*on Saturday 26 April and Saturday 17 May the craft activity will change to design and build your own train, and on Saturday 7 June the activity will be to design and create your own railway engineer hats.
BSL TOUR
Join a free BSL tour of this exhibition, and of North Road Station Museum, to discover over 200 years of Darlington's pioneering railway heritage
WHAT'S ON
GHOST TRAIN
S&DR200 has commissioned performers, live music and a procession of large-scale art installations representing some of the world's most important inventions
ANNIVERSARY JOURNEY
The newly renovated replica Locomotion No.1, the passenger carriage Experiment and three replica S&DR coal chauldrons will cross the historic Skerne Bridge
MEMORY OF A JOURNEY
Trains have been part of our lives for 200 years. This is a mass participation project that encourages visitors to reminisce about a journey that they remember.
RAILWAY MEMORIES
With the history of rail being so deeply intertwined in Darlington, stories of the railway are commonly held in many families. Read stories or share your own.
TITANS OF STEAM GALA
Hopetown Darlington plays host to a thunderous reunion of six iconic steam legends, a roaring monument to Britain’s engineering might.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT S&DR200
by visiting their website
