Peep into Durham’s locomotive past

Vale of Durham

Discover Durham’s role in the development of the railways at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

Locomotion in the Vale of Durham is a fantastic free day out for all the family. Explore our railway heritage, see Timothy Hackworth’s pioneering locomotive, the original Sans Pareil, and find out how and why the railways emerged here - the world’s first ever steam-hauled passenger train departed from here in 1825.

You’ll have the chance to see locomotives used during the age of steam plus guest engines on display at the greatest changing railway collection in the North East.

This autumn you can take a ‘Cradle of the Railways’ guided tour at this fascinating attraction, where you will see the historic buildings at the west of the museum site, learning stories along the way of historic coal drops, Hackworth’s house and much more. The tours are absolutely free and even give you the chance to see inside this buildings in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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A Locomotion at The National Railway Museum at ShildonThe National Railway Museum at Shildon © Visit County Durham
Trains at The National Railway Museum at ShildonThe National Railway Museum at Shildon © Visit County Durham

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