Be transported by highlights from our collection which tell compelling stories of the railways in Shildon and beyond.
From diminutive personal objects to giants of rail engineering, discover more about the important historical objects we care for.
Meet trailblazing engineers and ordinary people who made their ideas reality, as you uncover the story of Shildon's role in the development of Britain's railways.
Encounter impressive locomotives and futuristic experimental engines from our collection.
Prototype diesel-electric Deltic locomotive, built in 1955 by English Electric Company
L&MR 0-4-0 'Sans Pareil', built by Timothy Hackworth c.1815
Southern Railway Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 No 34051 "Winston Churchill", built 1945
Advanced Passenger Train (Experimental)
London & North Western Railway 2-4-0 No 790 'Hardwicke'
North Eastern Railway Bo-Bo No. 1 electric locomotive, built in 1902
Uncover some of the less well-known objects and vehicles on display, from a Victorian snow plough to hardworking mining machinery.
North Eastern Railway snow plough, 1891
The private coach used by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. Built in 1902, this carriage of the royal train had a bathroom and dressing room as well as day and night saloons.
Mining locomotive No. DM1274, built in Leeds in 1964 and used at Ellington colliery until 2005.
GNR 4-Wheel hand crane No. 112
BR cattle wagon
Matisa Ltd tamping machine, No DB74007, 1949
Shildon has been an important place for the rail industry since its earliest days—see how the site has transformed over the years.
Workers using a drop hammer in the forge at the North Eastern Railway's Shildon works, c.1913.
Employees at Shildon works pose for a photograph, c.1935.
Science Museum Group Collection
Workers queue for food in the canteen, c.1945. The dining room seated over 1,000 people and workers could even eat here on their days off.
Derek Foster, MP for Bishop Auckland, at the sod-cutting ceremony for Locomotion, 2003.
Construction of the track work outside the Locomotion collection building, 2004.
Prime Minister and MP for Sedgefield Tony Blair at the official opening of Locomotion, 2004.
A hive of industry and innovation, Shildon has been at the heart of developments on the railways, from groundbreaking inventions to everyday essentials.
Railway pioneer Timothy Hackworth, first locomotive superintendent of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Science Museum Group Collection
Tanker no. 70284, built at Shildon in 1915
20-ton Presflo cement wagon, built at Shildon in 1956.
Chaldron wagon on a plinth in Shildon, originally used in the early 19th century to transport coal on the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
