In 1825 there were only 25 miles of public railroad open in the world. 50 years later this had grown to 160,000 miles and continued at an amazing pace thereafter. In 1825 there were only 2 locomotives available for use on a public railway, by the turn of the century, this had increased to 70,000.The importance, magnitude and impact of the birth of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the transport systems of the world cannot be measured.The story has been well documented over the years, however it is extraordinary that it was not until 1875, the jubilee year of the opening that the first historical record was published. The directors of the railway, on such an auspices occasion considered it a suitable time in which to produce the history as a souvenir of the jubilee and fill the most important gap in all the writings of the history of railways. The history by J.S. Jeans was compiled from the records and documents appertaining to the railway company from the date of inception, and in this respect its authenticity is beyond doubt (or is it?).

"Locomotion" was not the first steam engine in the world, nor was she reliable or efficient, but these issues pale into insignificance by the mere fact of her place in history as the first locomotive to pull a passenger railway train. Today she stands within the walls of her first railway station at Darlington, a proud memorial to the pioneers who revolutionised passenger transport throughout the world. But this story is not just about a railway company or a locomotive, but about people, and communities and the way their lives changed with the advent of this wondrous industrial revolution. So sit back and enjoy a journey on the .

If you have arrived at this site and your interest is not in the origins of the railway and you are only interested in recent history and preserved locomotives, then why not visit for the story of the 150 year celebrations of the S. & D.R. and view the galleries and read the profiles of the locomotives which took part. Or, for other steam locomotives, visit the galleries, including, Union of South Africa, Sir Lamiel, Mallard, Lion, Thomas the Tank Engine, Blue Peter, Taw Valley, Burton Agnes Hall, and many more.

The which worked the S. & D.R. line from the 1870's to the 1950's, should not be forgotten.

And if you are wondering what now stands on that historic site where it all began, then wonder no more; it is
& former home of Timothy Hackworth. Why not pay a visit? You may even catch a glimpse of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, while you are there.

What is in the Museum you may ask?You could take a ride on , the preserved steam locomotive with its own section of the former Stockton & Darlington Railway. View the slideshow.

There is the working replica of , built by the apprentices at Shildon workshops.
, built in 1837, back home where her life began after 157 years. Read the history and view the slideshow.
The used by Timothy Hackworth, which works at a touch of a button.

The re-enactment of a as it would have happened in Timothy Hackworth's days. View the galleries.The found on the site and at a local house. Read the the letters. The rooms decorated and furnished as they would have been in Victorian times. The other exhibits, chaldron wagon, Stockton & Darlington Railway Coach, dandy cart and many, many more!

And if you haven't yet visited the place where it all started, why not arrange a visit. You are guaranteed a warm welcome from the residents of the North East of England and all at the .