Locomotion, the first national museum in the North East of England, is a new £11 million development which opened to the public in September 2004. It has given a permanent home to over 70 vehicles from the national collections whilst creating a sense of identity and engagement for the communities in Shildon and Sedgefield and beyond. Visitor figures have already exceeded expectations.

Shildon was the world’s first railway town and the closure of its Wagon

Works in 1984 could have been a death knell to the area. A vibrant partnership between the National Museum of Science & Industry and Sedgefield Borough Council helped to ensure that Shildon’s history as a thriving industrial rail town is not forgotten.

Incorporating the existing Timothy Hackworth Museum at Shildon and built on the site of disused industrial railway sidings, the museum's highlights include the original Sans Pareil, the ground-breaking Advanced Passenger Train Experimental, and a magnificent NER Snow Plough, housed in the Collection building, a showcase for sustainability. It truly brings the heritage of the North East alive; the sense of local enthusiasm and pride in Locomotion is tangible with locals, as well as visitors from afar, using the museum regularly.

George Muirhead, Museum Manager at Locomotion, said "Reaching the final stage of this prestigious arts award is a tremendous achievement. Few words can describe how delighted and proud everyone involved in the partnership venture truly is. We would like to thank the public who have shown overwhelming support for us through comments submitted to the Gulbenkian website and we would urge them to continue to do so in the run up to the final decision."

Alan Shearer, an enthusiastic supporter of Locomotion, commented, “Locomotion is an innovative museum and a credit to the North East as it highlights the history of the rail industry. It is the area's only National Museum and has broken all expected visitor figures to further highlight its pulling power and emphasise its popularity. I understand it's already approaching 100,000 visitors in just five months, which is a truly fabulous achievement. I'm sure that Locomotion would be a worthy winner of the Gulbenkian Prize as UK Museum of the Year."

Visitor comments
“In 1984 the heart was ripped out of Shildon due to the closure of the Wagon Works (Shildon Shops) … This is what the museum means to the people of Shildon - recognition of the part we played in the history of the railways. It is a memorial to the thousands of men who worked at Shildon Shops. Shildon is alive to the sound of trains again.”
Stella Taylor, Shildon

“Great museum. Eco-friendly, family friendly, disabled friendly – in fact, very friendly all round, from the drive of the free bus to the lady in the café and everyone else we met on our visit.”
Janet Stevenson, Nottingham

“The best feature is that the visitor does not need to be a railway ‘anorak’ to appreciate the marvels brought back to life there. I am besotted by the place. It is simply wonderful and an attraction about which the nation, let alone County Durham and the NRM, should be justly proud.”
Les Joss, Sedgefield, County Durham

Key facts
Opened: September 2004
Development costs: £11 million
Funders: Heritage Lottery Fund; ERDF; ONE NorthEast; Sedgefield Borough Council; DCMS; Network Rail; Northern Rock Foundation; Energy Saving Trust in partnership with the DTI; Friends of the National Railway Museum; Arts Council England; County Durham Economic Partnership; Jarvis Rail; Dunns Haulage; The National Railway Museum.
Visitor figures: 94,181 from 25 September 2004 to 27 February 2004
Admission charges: free
Opening hours: 10.00am-5.00pm daily

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