The National Railway Museum at Shildon: Locomotion

Locomotion is an £11 million project, funded through a variety of sources, and is a joint venture between Sedgefield Borough Council and the National Railway Museum at York.  The development combines the refurbished buildings of the former Timothy Hackworth Museum and also bring back into use two further buildings of historical importance in Shildon’s railway heritage.

The museum’s facilities also include a brand new collections centre (opened September 2004) which contains seven tracks and is capable of housing up to seventy vehicles.  This exciting visitor attraction has been granted National status, therefore, has secured a free entry policy for at least three years from the museum’s opening in September 2004.

Shildon was elected by the NRM as a site to house railway vehicles from the national collection and establish a National Rail Collections Centre.  This building ensures that historically important railway vehicles, many of which were not previously housed in adequate accommodation, are held in secure and weather proof premises and more over are accessible to the public for the first time.  The building also contains offices, a conservation workshop, a retail outlet and catering facilities.  The incorporation of the historic buildings with a ‘state of the art’ building enhances the environmental setting and adds to the historical character of Locomotion.  But Locomotion is more than just another railway museum.

Shildon is one of the world’s oldest railway towns.  The new museum gives recognition to the significance of Shildon in railway history and of railways to the Shildon community.  There is a level of community involvement in the museum and in its operation.  The museum is a centre for community activity and events.  Volunteering opportunities and work placement opportunities are also available.