Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon officially opened in 2004 and is the first national museum to be built in the North East.

The museum was built during 2004  and is based on the former 'Timothy Hackworth Victorian Railway Museum'.  During its first six months, the museum attracted 94,000 visitors and it was shortlisted as one of the final five contenders for 'The Gulbenkian Prize' in 2005.

The railway museum contains many exciting exhibits. It is home to several locomotives from the National Collection, including a replica of Timothy Hackworth's Sans Pareil. The original engine was built to compete in the Rainhill Trials, and is also at Shildon. These trials were to decide which engine was used to operate the intercity passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester. After 175 years of absence from the town, residents were delighted at her return. Sans Pareil now sits proudly at the entrance.