A big shunt will take place at Locomotion, Shildon, in order to create Europe’s largest undercover display of historic rail vehicles.

46 vehicles and one road vehicle will be moved into the new £8m New Hall, which is scheduled to open on the 24th May 2024.

The shunt will take more than four weeks to complete, with cranes, snow ploughs, steam locomotives, freight wagons and a tracked Bren Gun carrier set to move into the new hall.

The museum has temporarily closed during the week until the 27th March (Locomotion is open as normal on the 23rd/24th March at the weekend) to allow the shunt to take place safely, with the final vehicle going into the hall at the end of April.

“I would like to thank all our partners involved in creating the magnificent New Hall, especially Nationwide Engineering and Durham County Council. New Hall effectively doubles the size of Locomotion and gives us much needed covered display space to help conserve the collection, as well as giving visitors the chance to find out more about the railways and the North East’s railway heritage.

“I hope the significant regeneration at Locomotion can draw even more people to visit the museum and the region as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations and beyond.”

Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion

“It’s really exciting knowing New Hall is getting closer to opening and to housing Europe’s biggest undercover display of historic rail vehicles.

“We were delighted to be able to provide funding for this project, which will let many more people know the significance of Shildon as the starting point of the world’s first steam locomotive-powered passenger journey, further raising Durham’s profile nationally and internationally as the ‘Culture County’.

“Locomotion is already one of County Durham and the North East’s biggest visitor attractions, putting smiles on faces and delivering significant economic benefits. We look forward to New Hall adding to the museum’s offer and to it being at the heart of celebrations of both 20 years of the museum and 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.”

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, the authority’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships