View our Head of Steam leaflet - which includes map and prices (pdf document)
Stop Press!!
The Museum has been given the chance to buy the 'Darlington' nameplate and put it on permanent display. But we need your help. We have been awarded a grant for half the cost, but need to raise the other half by January 2009 - a total of £8,674.
The nameplate is a very important object for the town. In 1935, the London and North Eastern Railway named a series of engines after football teams. The engines were made here in Darlington and the men who built these locos suggested that one should be named Darlington, after the town it was built in.
All donations are very welcome - to make a donation, please contact the museum:
tel: 01325 460532.
Cheques should be made payable to 'Darlington Borough Council' and can be sent to:
Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum, North Road, Darlington, DL3 6ST.
If you donate a minimum of £25 we will display your name next to the nameplate when it goes on display.
Please help us to save this historic nameplate and bring it home to Darlington!
Following a £1.7m refurbishment Darlington Railway Centre and Museum re-launched on 5th April with a new name and a new look and re-branded as “Head of Steam”.
The re-branding is accompanied by significant changes to what we can offer visitors in the coming year. We are presenting a unique experience, which, subject to ongoing visitor support, will continue to be made over the next 12 months. The newly refurbished Museum will offer 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 exhibitions will still feature, such as the locomotives in the main area of the museum and these will be complimented and enhanced with new exhibitions and interactive displays for people of all ages. Including 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 will extend to include an al fresco seating on the platform outside. There is also two new temporary exhibition rooms with a scheduled programme providing a variety of exhibits catering for different audiences. These new spaces will include exhibitions from the museums own collection, touring exhibitions from other museums and exhibitions of art and objects from community and school groups.
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 Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum redevelopment is being 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.
