Welcome to the Head of Steam Website!
News Update
New Ale Launched at Head of Steam
Wylam Brewery have launched their new ale 'Locomotion No1' at the museum. The ale is brewed at Wylam, birthplace of George Stephenson. You can buy bottles of the ale from the museum shop for £2.75. It makes a great souvenir! Also on Sale is the Wylam Brewery's 'Rocket' ale.
Following a £1.7m refurbishment Darlington Railway Centre and Museum re-launched on 5th April 2008 with a new name and a new look and re-branded as “Head of Steam”.
The newly refurbished Museum offers a unique experience to visitors through interactive displays and audio visual equipment, telling the story of the history of Darlington and the impact of railways. Many of the highly popular old exhibits still feature, such as the locomotives in the main area of the museum and these are complimented and enhanced with new exhibitions and interactive displays for people of all ages. This Includes the use of audio, visual and sensory information, as well as other activities such as handling objects, puzzles for children and much, much more.
A new and improved cafe facility provides quality drinks, snacks and light bites, and in the summer months, this extends to include an al fresco seating on the platform outside. There is also a temporary exhibition room with a scheduled programme providing a variety of exhibits catering for different audiences. This new space will include exhibitions from the museums own collection, touring exhibitions from other museums and exhibitions of art and objects from community and school groups. New for 2009 is an exhibition of objects from the former Tubwell Row Museum, which closed ten years ago.
Other new facilities include The Northern Rail Activity Room – used for a wide variety of activities from craft activities in school holidays, to school visits, to talks and meetings. There is also a children’s play room for our younger visitors. The museum has a conference facility which can be booked through the Council's Occasions team.
The Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum redevelopment has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, Railway Heritage Trust, Museums and Libraries Archives North East and Darlington Borough Council.
