Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon
Locomotion is the National Railway Museum's second site, opened in 2004 in Shildon, County Durham, on the route of the original 1825 Stockton & Darlington Railway, the world's first public steam-worked railway. The museum is centred on a substantial new exhibition hall capable of housing up to 70 large vehicles, plus the surviving original buildings of the Shildon engine works site.
The collection focuses on early railways and on the full range of British steam, with particular highlights being the original 1825 <em>Locomotion No. 1</em> and the 1829 Rainhill Trials engine <em>Sans Pareil</em>, both on long-term loan from the Hopetown collection. The museum also became the long-term home of two of the surviving LNER A4 Pacifics returned from museums in the United States and Canada, Dwight D. Eisenhower (No. 60008) and Dominion of Canada (No. 60010), for the 2013 "Great Gathering" celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of Mallard's 126 mph world speed record.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway Bicentenary in 2025 was celebrated with a major programme of events centred on the museum.
History
Locomotion opened on 22 October 2004 as the National Railway Museum's outstation, in partnership with Sedgefield Borough Council and the Friends of the National Railway Museum. The site is the historic Timothy Hackworth ironworks (1827), where the early Stockton & Darlington Railway locomotive engineer worked, and where some of his original buildings survive.
The Locomotion site has hosted several major events: the 2013 "Great Gathering" reuniting all six surviving LNER A4 Pacifics for the 75th anniversary of Mallard's record run; an "Autumn Steam Gala" series; and the 2025 Stockton & Darlington Bicentenary celebrations.
Original line history
The site sits on the route of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway, opened on 27 September 1825 as the world's first public railway worked by steam locomotives. Shildon was the engineering heart of the early line, where Timothy Hackworth was based as locomotive superintendent.
Stations and infrastructure
The site comprises the principal Collection Building (a 200-metre exhibition hall), the historic Hackworth buildings (including the Coach House and Soho Works engine shed), the surviving station buildings of the original S&DR Shildon station, and a small demonstration line.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The Locomotion Autumn Steam Gala has become an annual highlight, with operating steam and diesel running on the demonstration line and visiting engines. The 2025 Stockton & Darlington Bicentenary was a major focus.
Visitor information
Free admission. Locomotion is a short walk from Shildon Network Rail station (Bishop Auckland line). On-site car parking is available.