Shildon Rail Trails

Shildon, the home of our museum, is packed with interesting nuggets from its lengthy railway history.

We have three Rail Trail walks for you. Just download one of the PDFs below (or all of them, if you're feeling adventurous) and print it off before your next visit, and you can include a hike through history on your next trip to Locomotion.

Keen for even more railway adventures? Head to our gift shop, where you can buy guides for walks produced by the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Please note that while the museum is closed, Rail Trails 1 and 2 should be started at the signal box (point 2). Our car park is also closed.

Shildon Rail Trail 1

New Shildon and the Stockton & Darlington Railway

1.25 miles (45 mins)
Circular walk on pavements and footpaths, some slopes

Walk around New Shildon, looking at landmarks of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway and the expanding town which developed around it.

Download Shildon Rail Trail 1 (PDF)

Shildon Rail Trail 2

Old Shildon and the Black Boy Branch Line

2.5 miles (1.5–2 hours)
Circular walk on pavements and footpaths, some long slopes

Walk from Locomotion to old Shildon and back, taking in the Timothy Hackworth monument and his grave in St John’s Churchyard. It goes through the town to reach the high point of one of the colliery branch lines and returns along the course of that line and the Bishop Auckland line.

Download Shildon Rail Trail 2 (PDF)

Shildon Rail Trail 3

Early inclines and horse coaches

4.5 miles
Road-drive and short walk on paths and grass, some slopes. Approximately one hour by car and on foot. Alternatively, one-hour walk for part of the trail.

This trail takes you from Locomotion to see the remains of two early railway features—the top
of the Brusselton Inclines and Daniel Adamson’s coach house.

Download Shildon Rail Trail 3 (PDF)