Heighington Station, the world’s first railway station, has been saved thanks to a fundraising campaign led by the Friends and Stockton and Darlington Railway, with the help of local MP Alan Strickland.
The original station buildings, which were used as the Locomotion 1 pub for many years, were built in 1826 for the Stockton and Darlington Railway. After the closure of the pub, the station was at serious risk of being lost to deterioration and decay.
This success is thanks to tireless campaigning by the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. They’ve raised significant amounts of funding, including £90,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust, £10,000 from the Headley Trust and £15,000 from public donations. But, to help unlock additional national funding, a major donation was needed.
Local Member of Parliament and Aycliffe resident Alan Strickland worked with the Friends group, raising the issue in the House of Commons and working with Hitachi to help secure a major financial contribution. The large donation from Hitachi Rail has secured the site and underscores the link between modern rail and its historic roots in the 200th anniversary year of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, said: “I’m really proud to have worked with Hitachi Rail and the Friends Group together to help secure this major investment. Our area has long been a centre of rail innovation and I’m so pleased that this piece of history will be saved thanks to Hitachi’s generous support and the strong leadership by the Friends group, who’ve worked hard over many years to make this happen.”
Photo: Lord Wilson of Sedgefield, Rachel Evans from Hitachi, Niall Hammond from Friends of Stockton and Darlington Railway and Alan Strickland MP.