Tuesday 22nd May 2012
Vintage Vehicle Rally 2012
Another successful Vintage Vehicle Rally at the Head of Steam Museum saw 125 vehicles from across the North East and Yorkshire regions and over 1000 visitors.
Wednesday 2nd May 2012
Ghost Cellar investigated for first time in 30 years
Chris Lloyd, Deputy Editor of the Northern Echo has been to Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum to investigate the ghost story that has dominated the building since the 1840’s.
Thomas Munro Winter committed suicide at North Road Station in 1845.
His death certificate states that he “shot himself with a pistol being in an unsound state of mind”. His body was placed in the coal house and his ghost is said to haunt the old Porter’s cellar at the museum.
Chris, accompanied by Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager and a photographer ventured into the unlit cellar, only accessible by a narrow trap door underneath the platform bridge within the museum.
The full story about Thomas Munro Winter can be found on The Ghosts of North Road Station page.
Tuesday 1st May 2012
Your Royal Carriage Awaits
Printable design sheet [pdf document]
A competition is being launched at the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum to celebrate of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Children are asked to imagine what they think should be inside the Queen’s Royal Carriage and also to design the livery, the special design that is on the outside of the carriage. There is an entry form for the designs and the child’s contact details, which can be downloaded from the Museum’s website or picked up from Museum reception.
The closing date for entries is Sunday 10th June, with winners being notified by Sunday 17th June. Entries will be on display at the museum over the summer.
“We all know that the Queen has a Royal Train but we thought it would be interesting to design a new carriage to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 60 years on the throne” said Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager.
There are three age categories are 7 years and under, 7 to 11 years and 11 to 16 years. The winners of the three categories will have their work displayed at the museum and receive a goody bag with a selection of museum treats.
There will be an overall winner, and this person will also win a Family annual pass entitling them to visit the museum for free for a whole year!
To download your carriage plan, please visit The Learning Zone page.
You can write to us at:
Head of Steam,
Darlington Railway Museum,
North Road Station,
Darlington,
DL3 6ST
You can also telephone 01325 460532 or you can also call in at the Museum and pick up a plan from Reception.
The Museum Spring/Summer opening hours are Tuesdays to Sundays 10am until 4pm.
Wednesday 4th April 2012
Hot Coals & Ash exhibition opens at Head of Steam Museum
A new exhibition is to open at the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum on Saturday 7th April. ‘Hot Coals and Ash’ is an exhibition by Durham artist Steven Ward Fox.
The exhibition highlights Steven’s lifelong passion for steam locomotives. Steven said “I’ve had an interest in steam engines from an early age from observations of the colliery railway in Seaham, County Durham. I am also inspired by natural forms in the local environment, especially those found in Ragpath Wood, a Woodland Trust site.
This exhibition focuses on my work over the last five years and I’d like to express my thanks to the Head of Steam Museum for their support in bringing this exhibition to Darlington.”Steven has recently become an Associate Member of the Guild of Railway Artists.
Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager said “Steven has curated several exhibitions of late in some prestigious surroundings, including the National Railway Museum. I’ve wanted him to bring his work to Darlington for about 18 months and now we finally have it on display. I’d like to encourage locals and tourists to visit the Museum during the exhibition to appreciate Steven’s creativity and passion”.
The exhibition runs from Saturday 7th April until Saturday 19th May. Steven will be present at the museum on Saturday 7th April in the afternoon and will also be artist in residence at Head of Steam on Wednesday 18th and Saturday 21st of April from 10am until 2pm in you wish to come along for a chat and to watch him paint.
Museum Spring/Summer opening hours are Tuesdays to Sundays 10am until 4pm. Telephone 01325 460532.
March 2012
K1 Class (Lord of the Isles) returns to Hopetown Carriage Works on the museum site with boiler from Carnforth. North Eastern Railway Preservation Group now continue with the restoration work before it returns to Scotland.
Northern Belle train waits in the sidings at North Road Station adjacent to the Museum.
Monday 19th March 2012
Wool Town Project Celebration event
The hard work and creative knitting of over 40 people will be unveiled at an event to celebrate the completion of the Wool Town – Knitting Darlington project. You are invited to see the finished hanging as it goes on display at Crown Street Library between 10am -12noon on Friday 30th March 2012.
The Wool Town knitting project has been very popular, with many knitters returning to each session bringing along the knitting they have been taking home! People have been knitting local landmarks such as the Brick Train and Joseph Pease’s statue.
They have also knitted buildings that mean something special to them – one lady wanted to knit the pumping station as her granddad had worked there, another suggested Pease’s Mill – which although it was demolished in the 1980s, as a lot of townsfolk would have worked there. “We’ve had a lot of fun with the project, and I have been amazed at the level of skill that our knitters have,” said Sarah Gouldsbrough, the project officer from Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, “ I have learnt some new stitches myself, and the group has taught one of my colleagues to knit!”
The project aims to find a fun and creative way to let people know more about Darlington’s past and is a partnership between Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum, The Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library, and GOLD.
The project is supported by the Museum of Hartlepool and funded through Renaissance in the Regions, now administered by the Arts Council England.
Tuesday 31st January 2012
Great start to Wool Town Project
The first session in the Wool Town project got off to a flying start on Friday 27th January when over 30 knitters came along to Crown Street Library to start knitting Darlington!
Inspired by the photos of Darlington provided by The Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library, knitters, led by artists Becky Sunter, began knitting a variety of houses, and one nifty needled knitter made the market building and clock tower. The day was very sociable with people meeting old and new friends, and being able to take part in making something to go on display around the town. The knitting will be made into a three dimensional wall hanging to be unveiled at the end of March.
The project aims to find a fun and creative way to let people know more about Darlington’s past and is a partnership between Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum, The Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library, and GOLD.
The next session is at Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum on Saturday 11th February and people wanting to find out more or start having a go at knitting can drop in anytime between 11am and 3pm.
The project is supported by the Museum of Hartlepool and funded through Renaissance in the Regions, now administered by the Arts Council England.
Monday 16th January 2012
Wool Town: Knitting Darlington
An exciting new project is about to start in Darlington inspired by the importance of the wool industry to Darlington and the surrounding countryside.
The project aims to find a fun and creative way to let people know more about Darlington’s past and is a partnership between Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum, The Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library, and GOLD.
The partners are looking for people to come along to various sessions and work with local artist Becky Sunter. She will be leading workshops for people to come and have a go at knitting. All are welcome from absolute beginners to experts – come and help to knit Darlington!
The idea is to use the collections at the Centre for Local Studies to choose various landmarks around the town to knit – these will then be made into a three dimensional wall hanging to be unveiled at the end of March.
The first session is at Crown Street Library on Friday 27th January, and people wanting to find out more or start having a go at knitting can drop in anytime between 10.30am and 3pm. As well as finding out about the project, people can also find out about Patons and Baldwins, with information provided by The Centre for Local Studies, and about knitting generally with books from the library.
“The wool trade was hugely important for Darlington both before the railways, where many of the investors of the Stockton and Darlington Railway made their money, to the late 1940’s when Patons and Baldwins moved their headquarters to Darlington and boosted production of knitting wool. Also, many of the folk of the North Yorkshire Dales made woollen stockings in their own homes which were brought to Darlington to be distributed throughout the country”, said Sarah Gouldsbrough, the Learning and Access Officer for Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, “What better way of helping people to discover more about Darlington’s woolly past than a fun knitting project”.
The project team are also looking for any donations of knitting wool to help with the wall hanging, and donations can be taken to the Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library. Any leftover wool at the end of the project will be donated to local charity knitters.
The project is supported by the Museum of Hartlepool and funded through Renaissance in the Regions, now administered by the Arts Council England.
Wednesday 22nd December 2011
Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Railway museum volunteer steams ahead at award ceremony
A volunteer at Head of Steam Museum won a Highly Commended Award at the Renaissance North East Museum Volunteer Awards. Alison Grange, who has been volunteering at the museum every week since February, was nominated in the ‘Outstanding Contribution from a Young Volunteer under 25’ category.
Museum Curator Leona White-Hannant, who nominated Alison for the award, commented ‘The museum is really grateful to Alison for all the work she has done whilst volunteering at Head of Steam and we wanted to acknowledge this by nominating her for this award.’
Alison received a framed certificate at the awards ceremony, which was held at The Great North Museum – Hancock on 12th November.
Tuesday 15th November 2011
Darlington Rail Trail opens at railway Museum
New interpretation allowing visitors to explore the outside of the museum site has opened at Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum. “The eight panel ‘Darlington Rail Trail’ lets our customers discover more about the other railway buildings for the first time” said Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager.
There is now interpretation relating to the Goods Shed (the oldest building on the museum site), Hopetown Carriage Words (where Tornado was built), the Stockton and Darlington railway line, the museum field, the Goods Agent’s Office, the Porter’s cellar, the Lime Cells and North Road Station itself.
“We are trying to enhance our visitor experience and add at least another 30 minutes to the average visitor time” said Dave. “People are always asking questions about the other buildings on the museum site and this goes some way to help visitors understand how the buildings fit together”.
The museum is open from October to March every week from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 3.30pm and Tuesday to Sunday from April until September from 10am until 4pm. A new exhibition within the museum also explores the building of Tornado within Hopetown Carriage Works.
For further information contact the museum on 01325 460532, visit the Head of Steam website or email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk
More information about the Darlington Rail Trail [PDF document, 3MB]
Tuesday 8th November 2011
Little Boo! Halloween Fun Day Success
Over 1,760 people got dressed up to meet cartoon favourite Scooby Doo at the Head of Steam Museum on Sunday 30th October.
The Spooky Spectacular was in fact the venue’s most successful Halloween event to date.
The museum was decorated in spooky memorabilia, with many youngsters turning up to get their photograph taken with Scooby Doo. The event also features Scary Ghost Pirates, a mini train ride, a face painter, arts and crafts, a story-teller and magician.
Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager said, “We really put lots of effort into this event to make is successful and the visitor numbers reflect this. Scooby Doo was very popular. All in all, it was a wonderful day.”
Wednesday 5th October 2011
The Story of the Tornado flies into Darlington
A new exhibition exploring the building of the Peppercorn class A1 60163 Tornado opens at the Head of Steam Museum in Darlington on Wednesday 5th October. This is the first exhibition of its kind, examining the story of the first main line steam locomotive to be built in the UK since the 1960’s.
The exhibition has been written by Mark Allatt, Chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and the objects curated by David Elliott, the A1’s Director of Engineering.
Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager says “This was an important story for the museum to tell. Local people as so proud that Tornado was built here and this exhibition goes some way to highlight the importance of our continuing involvement with the railways”.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday 5th October until the 31st March 2012 and there is a preview for invited guests and the media on Thursday 29th September at 7pm. Mark Allatt and David Elliott will be attending the preview evening. Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum’s winter opening hours are Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am until 3.30pm. You can contact the museum by telephoning 01325 460532, visit the museum’s website or email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Museum Shop, Audio Visual Room and Children’s Activity Room reopens at Head of Steam Museum
Three rooms have reopened to members of the public after being put out of action after a major ceiling collapse to due lead being stolen from the roof. The museum shop/reception, the audio-visual room and the children’s activity room are now fully refurbished and open for business. Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager said:
“It has been a challenging time for the museum staff, first having to move artefacts, shop stock and office equipment out of these rooms due to the water damage caused by the lead being stolen from the roof and then getting the roof repaired and the internal decoration sorted in time for our Heritage Open Days and Steam Shuttle weekends. I want everyone to know that the rooms are now back open and can be accessed as normal”.
Wednesday 17 August 2011
The Arthur Wharton Story re-enacted at Head of Steam
A film exploring the life and times of Arthur Wharton, Britain’s first black professional footballer was re-enacted on Monday 15th August at the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum.
Born in Ghana, Wharton came to Darlington in 1882 to train as a Methodist missionary but eventually became an athlete, helping the Quakers lift the Cleveland Challenge Cup and set a 10 second world record for 100 yards in athletics. After Darlington he went on to play for Preston North End and then Sheffield United but unfortunately died destitute and penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave.
There are plans to erect a statue to Arthur Wharton somewhere in Darlington. But who was the star of the show I hear you ask? Darlington Borough Council’s very own Phil Haymer, Events Officer! The ten-minute film on Wharton’s time in Darlington is being made by Mike Tweddle, a friend of shop owner Shaun Campbell who has successfully raised both funds and profile for the Wharton statue in the town.
Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager said, “I’m so pleased that the museum was used as a backdrop for telling this almost unknown part of Darlington’s history. Arthur Wharton’s name needs to be remembered and I think this film will go a long way in completing the story”.
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Full Steam Ahead at 90
Mr. John Leng, President of the Friends of Darlington Railway Centre & Museum (Head of Steam), celebrates his 90th birthday this month.
In recognition of this fact, the Friends are organising an afternoon tea party for John at the Museum on Thursday 28th July at 3.30pm.
John has spent almost all of his working life in the railway industry and has been involved with the Friends at the railway museum since they started up some 30 years ago. He still attends the regular monthly meetings and committee meetings of the Friends as well as being a member of other clubs in the town.
He has a wide knowledge and experience of the railway world and has many interesting stories to tell – including about digging out snow bound locomotives on the Stainmore line.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Harry Potter locomotive calls at Head of Steam
Mallard with The Coronation headboard
Harry Potter's famous locomotive 4900 Class 5972 Hogwarts Castle (previously Olton Hall) magically moved A4 4468 Mallard from Shildon to York on Tuesday 19th July 2011, briefly stopping at Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum.
Hogwarts Castle with Hogwarts Express headboard
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Local Archery Club Celebrates One Year To Go To London 2012 By Welcoming Members Of The Public To Try Out Archery
The Gentleman and Lady Archers of Darlington are celebrating one year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 by welcoming members of the public to have a go at archery as part of London Open Weekend this Sunday 24th July.
The London Open Weekend supported by BP will see over 1,000 events taking place this weekend across the UK to celebrate one year to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games start in 2012.
The Gentleman and Lady Archers Of Darlington will be encouraging members of the public to have a go at archery on Sunday with four one hour coaching sessions planned to run throughout the day. The coaching sessions will take place at 10:00am, 11:30am, 13:30pm and 15:00pm on the field at Darlington Borough Council's Head Of Steam Darlington Railway Museum but booking is recommended to avoid disappointment as places will be limited.
If you can't attend one of the coaching sessions don't worry as there will also be the chance to shoot a dozen arrows at a shorter range which is open to anyone and does not require booking.
The coaching sessions will cost £5 per person or you can shoot 1 dozen arrows for £1, all money raised will go directly to the archery club.
Museum Manager David Tetlow has kindly offered tickets which will allow anyone taking part in the event free entry into the Head Of Steam Darlington Railway Museum on the day.
A club spokesperson said "We are all really excited that there is only one year left to go until the start of the Olympic Games in 2012 and we are looking forward to celebrating this Sunday. We hope people will bring their families and join in our celebrations by trying out an Olympic sport for themselves, the hour long coaching sessions will be a really good introduction to the sport."
Other events that are taking place as part of London Open Weekend [external link]
Monday 18 July 2011
Roman Victory at Railway Museum
Graham Taylor from ‘Potted History’ with some of his clay work based on archaeological finds, including the Piercebridge ‘Face Pot’.
The Roman invasion of Darlington’s Head of Steam Museum was a complete success on Sunday 10th July with over 480 visitors. Roma Antiqua re-enactment group were on hand to demonstrate Roman life as well as ‘Maximus Scratchius’ from Svensons Fleas Circus, Graham the Potter and Roy the Roman. The Piercebridge divers gave an excellent lecture about the artefacts recovered from the River Tees and visitors could also read about Piercebridge Roman Fort. For the lucky few who booked early in the day, a special vintage bus took visitors to the Fort for a guided tour by Durham County Archaeologist Dr. David Mason.
“Once again I am delighted at the amount of visitors to the museum and Piercebridge,” said Dave Tetlow, Museum Manager. “Darlington has such cultural diversity from Railways to Romans and the event proves that tourists and locals are willing to come out and support what we have to offer”.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Hogwarts Express
This exciting engine steamed past the museum on its way to Locomotion at Shildon.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Model Semaphore Signal Workshops - Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th July
Visit the Head of Steam Museum on Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th July for the opportunity to build your own model railway semaphore signal with members of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Robert Stephenson Trust. The workshops, which run from 11am – 3pm, accompany the current exhibition ‘The Art of Robert Stephenson: images of the man, his life and his works’, which opens on Saturday 9th July. Free activity - normal entrance fee applies. Please telephone the museum for more details 01325 460532.
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Raise your glass to celebrate the success of Tornado
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum has joined forces with Wylam Brewery to produce a new Pale Ale to be sold exclusively at the Museum. The new beer, described as ‘honey coloured with a tangerine aroma’ will go on sale at the museum in July and 25 pence from every sale will be donated to the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to help ensure Tornado’s future operations on the mainline.
“It seemed to be the right thing to do” says Dave Tetlow, Head of Steam Museum Manager. “Wylam Brewery already brew a number of railway themed beers for the Museum including Locomotion No1 lager and Rocket Ale and they were delighted to produce a beer especially to promote Tornado”.
If you would like to try the new ale – and support Tornado on the mainline, please telephone or email the museum for further details or call in and buy from the museum shop.
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Vintage Vehicle Rally a complete success
This year’s Vintage Vehicle Rally at the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum was another success story for the award-winning museum.
Over 1200 people visited the museum on Sunday 22nd May to marvel at over 140 classic vehicles from across the North East and Yorkshire.
Dave Tetlow, the Museum Manager said “I’m delighted that we had so many visitors to the museum, this event goes from strength to strength every year”. Paul Jackson, vehicle finder and organiser of the Northern Bygone Society added “It was a great show, good weather and an enjoyable atmosphere. We would like to thank the museum and event staff as well as Darlington Borough Council for all their help with this event and we look forward to coming back again next year.”
Awards for the Vintage Vehicle Rally at Head of Steam Museum, 22nd May 2011.
Awards presented by the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Lee Vasey
Best Bike - Mr N Harding - 1977 Honda 750 CB
Best Commercial Vehicle - Mr A Dixon - 1958 DS Bus Coach
Best Car - Mr and Mrs Emerson - 1964 Morris Minor Traveller
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Darlington Museum Launches Up-to-date Guidebook
Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum has just launched a new, up-to-date guidebook, the first to be issued since the one published by the original Museum Trust in 1982. The new book is proving popular with museum visitors and is selling very well.
Richard Wimbury, Chairman of the Friends of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, wrote the text and selected the illustrations, helped by other members of the Committee and the Museum Manager.
“Visitors to the museum often asked me about the availability of such a book and I am now very happy to tell them that we have a brand-new one on the shelves in the museum shop”, says Mr Wimbury. “It was a very interesting and enlightening experience writing the text as I discovered a lot about the lives of the people who worked and travelled on the railways in those early years”.
The book tells of the reasons why the Stockton & Darlington Railway was constructed and describes the grand opening day on 27 September 1825. It then tells the story of the railways in Darlington and the changes that the coming of the railway brought about in the lives of ordinary people throughout the country.
The locomotives in the museum highlight the advances in locomotive engineering that took place in the 100 years after the construction of “Locomotion No 1” which ushered in “the age of the train” in 1825.
The Guidebook is available from the museum for £2.50 or by post. Contact the museum for further details.