Innovation and Accessibility

The Stores is home to an eclectic range of artefacts, but perhaps none so unique as the artificial limbs.

 In 2019, Hopetown Darlington (then Head of Steam Museum) received funding from Arts Council England (ACE) to explore the history of artificial limb making within the railways.

The Alternative Limb Project was commissioned to create a railway-themed prosthetic limb. Initially conceived by Sophie de Oliveira Barata, she imagined a scene of small locomotive travelling in and around a prosthetic leg, passing through scenery both within and without. 

As the COVID-19 lockdowns began, the project became a labour of love and the original commission of a single limb - the leg - became two. From that, a story was developed, covering themes of love, romance, loss, connection, transhumanism, and nostalgia. It culminated into a pair of artistic expressions - the installation within the museum, and a short film both sharing the name The 20:45 to Lover's Rest. 

The installation was as much as a performance piece as a static display, exploring the stories of both passengers and workers who lost limbs. The work was a collaboration between artist James Kearney, prosthetist Chris Parsons, and the Uckfield Model Railway Club. True to the original vision, it depicted a miniature train travelling between artificial limbs through a landscape flanked by mirrors. 

An "artificial limb bench" was spotted on a plan of North Road Locomotive Works whilst researching a previous exhibition. New research has uncovered not only a history of artificial limb making but also of disability on the railways.

These innovative creations were on display in Head of Steam Museum before being moved to The Stores when it was renovated into Hopetown Darlington.

You can watch their short film below, The 20:45 to Lover's Rest: