Things to See & Do
Darlington Railway Centre and Museum

Important Information: From 10th April 2007 until 5th April 2008 the Museum will be closed for refurbishment although there will be special events taking place during this period in the grounds of the museum.

The Museum is devoted to the area formerly served by the North Eastern Railway, with particular reference to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and the railway industry of Darlington.

Exhibits include Stephenson's "Locomotion No. 1", built for the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and "Derwent", the earliest surviving Darlington built locomotive, on loan from The National Railway Museum Collection. Locomotion is one of the oldest surviving steam engines in the world and the first ever steam train to carry fare paying passengers.

A range of smaller items including station and lineside signs, uniforms, furniture, tableware and paintings, complements the larger exhibits.  The entrance hall and ticket office are restored in period style, enhanced by displays of items such as porters' barrows, luggage, posters and advertising signs.

The museum also has a dedicated research centre, The Ken Hoole Study Centre, which has an extensive collection of documentary material, photographs, plans, books and periodicals.  The core collection was bequeathed by Ken Hoole, (a renowned regional railway historian) but the Study Centre also houses material from numerous other sources, including the library collection of the North Eastern Railway Association.

Facilities

• free onsite parking
• railway cafe, open 11am to 3pm Monday to Sunday
• wheelchair access to most parts of the museum
• baby changing facilities within the museum main building
• Gift shop selling a wide range of souvenirs and memorabilia.
  

Darlington Railway Centre & Museum

North Road Station
Darlington
DL3 6ST

Tel:       01325 460532

Fax:      01325 287746

Email: museum@darlington.gov.uk