THE OLD DARLINGTON LOCOMOTIVE WORKS
Did you know Darlington’s legendary Darlington Locomotive Works (otherwise known as North Road Works) served the railways for more than 100 years before closing on April 1st 1966?
Originally opening in 1863, the works once employed over 3,800 people at its peak in 1954, shaping the town’s identity and engineering reputation.
From steam giants to diesel locomotives, the works built it all right up until national changes in the 1950s and 60s spelled the end of large scale steam engineering.
But the legacy hasn’t been forgotten. Today, only traces remain. The clock on the side of Morrisons North Road, a few buildings, and a huge amount of pride for a piece of important railway history.
We'd love to hear from you!
- Do you (or your family) have memories of the Darlington Works?
- Did someone you know work there before it shut its doors in ’66?
- Do you have any old photos or stories you may have of the works? We’d love to see them!
Send your memories to hopetown@darlington.gov.uk and let’s bring the old North Road Works back to life through your stories.
Back in 2016 the old Head of Steam Museum commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the closure with an online collection of memories from former employees and their relatives, which you can read here. Find out more about Darlington Locomotive Works by making an appointment with Hopetown Darlington's Collections Engagement Manager via the Study At The Stores page.
Photo Credit: Hopetown Darlington including the Ken Hoole collection.
