Architects chosen for new Locomotion collection building to house 50 additional rail vehicles
announced in January and following the completion of a land transfer, the project can now proceed to the design and construction phase.
Museum head Sarah Price said:
“This is the most significant change to Locomotion since opening and it will create a more inviting presence that emphasises Locomotion’s pivotal role as a cultural cornerstone for the community.
“Access to Locomotion and the site’s historically- significant collection will remain free for all visitors, helping us to create a lasting and meaningful legacy that celebrates the region’s globally important role as the birthplace of the railways.”
Exhibits
in even more people and helping the county’s tourism industry recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“As a council, we believe a thriving arts and heritage sector not only enriches the lives of our residents, but is key to a prosperous economy and all the jobs and opportunities that brings.”
Based in East London since it was founded in 2005, AOC is best known for its public buildings and cultural institutions in historically and politically- sensitive contexts.
AOC director Geoff Shearcroft said: “We are delighted to be working with the SMG team to develop a low carbon, open museum store, creating new opportunities for the public to engage with the full diversity of the museum’s collection. Through its location and design, Locomotion’s newest building will help activate the surrounding landscape, enhancing biodiversity and improving public access to the museum site’s historic buildings and demonstration railway line.”
Prior to the Covid- 19 pandemic, Locomotion received more than 200,000 visitors each year and the development aims to grow this number to more than 250,000.
Regeneration
The new building is the largest in a series of regeneration projects planned for Locomotion in the run up to the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 2025. Other projects include the refurbishment of the site’s Grade II- listed railway buildings and the relocation of Gaunless Bridge – one of the world’s first iron railway bridges which was created for the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
It is also part of the National Railway Museum’s £ 55.3m Vision 2025 project which will transform both museums in York and Locomotion.