DARLINGTON SOCIETY RAISES CONCERNS OVER NORTH ROAD MOVE
Darlington Railway Preservation Society has raised concerns about its move from North Road goods shed, as part of a ‘heritage quarter’ plan for the site.
The 40-member society, which owns ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 78018 and a number of industrial locomotives, is concerned that it has only been given until March to leave the 1833-built Stockton & Darlington Railway goods shed that it has called home for 37 years.
As detailed in SR501, it is proposed to restore the Grade II-listed building as a reception area for the planned ‘Darlington Rail Heritage Quarter’. Placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register last October, the shed requires around £225,000 worth of urgent repairs.
DRPS Chairman Barrie Lamb told Steam Railway that a suitable new home for the group had yet to be confirmed, although offers of help had been received.
Ultimately, the society wants to be a larger part of the revitalised site and run trains there again – something that has not happened since 2006. But Mr Lamb said that the society currently “feels forgotten” and the uncertainty was having an impact on the ongoing overhaul of its Peckett 0-4-0ST Northern Gas Board No. 1.
Councillor Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “We have been very clear from the outset of this project that DRPS, and all of the other heritage organisations on the Head of Steam site, are a key part of the plans for the redeveloped Rail Heritage Quarter.
“Live engineering and the chance for the public to see the important work these organisations do are one of the cornerstones of the redevelopment proposals.
“DRPS has a long-term future on the site and we are in continuing discussions with them about the practical aspects of the move that is required from their current home.
“We are working alongside Historic England regarding the repair works that are needed on the Goods Shed.”