New rail art unveiled on a Darlington roundabout
A NEW art installation has been unveiled in Darlington to help celebrate the town’s rich railway heritage. The piece of public art takes pride of place on a key route into the town centre, the Haughton Road roundabout.
Created by regional artist Andrew McKeown, the artwork features four signs depicting key locomotives from the town’s past and present. The designs are influenced by an example of railway signage held in Darlington’s Head of Steam museum and feature locomotives with particular significance to the town – Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) pair Locomotion No.1 and Derwent and The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s (A1SLT) new-builds A1 Peppercorn Pacific No. 60163 Tornado and P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.
Manufactured in metal and painted in traditional style, the signs include the names of the locomotives and the dates they came – or are set to come – into service. Special lighting has also been installed to enhance the artwork.
The project has seen the council’s heritage and highways teams work alongside The A1SLT and the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Group from the initial concept and design to the finished product.
Pride
Council leader Coun Heather Scott said: “This exciting project sends out a positive statement to residents and visitors that Darlington is proud of its railway heritage, past and present.
“We need to look beyond the difficult times that the pandemic has placed us in and look ahead to a brighter future where we can celebrate our strengths as a borough, our rich railway heritage and our exciting future.
“This artwork will enrich our strong rail heritage offering and help to prepare the way to our local and regional celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of the railways in 2025.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “While we’re investing more than £100 million in Darlington and are creating good quality, well-paid jobs for local people in the town, it’s also important to recognise its rich heritage.”
The A1SLT’s Paul Bruce said: “Each of these locomotives in the installation shows how Darlington has been at the forefront and heart of locomotive development over the past two centuries. The A1SLT is committed to the continued production of cuttingedge design steam locomotives in Darlington and we welcome the chance to be involved in this project and to celebrate the success of our locomotives Tornado and Prince of Wales.”
Reminder
Friends chairman Niall Hammond said:“The Friends are delighted that this project has taken shape as part of a significant and ever-expanding programme of work taking place in the lead up to the 200th anniversary of the S&DR, which opened on September 27, 1825 and marked the beginning of the modern railway age.
“We would like to thank everyone who made this possible, and, in particular, Friend Geoff Birse, whose carefully researched and accurate 3D drawings informed the Locomotion No.1 sculpture. These art works link railways past with railways present and future and will serve to remind people of their proud heritage every time they pass by.”