Shildon - The Cradle Of The Railways

Having recently been asked to provide some photography for a book celebrating 200 years of the Stockton And Darlington Railway, I had the opportunity to explore this corner of Shildon, so often missed.

Now, if you're a fan of early railway history (and let's be honest, there's a little bit of 'trainspotter' in all of us), this little gem in Shildon is absolutely worth the visit. The sites are all located close together, and near the Locomotion Museum, so a perfect chance to tick off two locations in one trip.

Hackworth's House - Home of a railway pioneer

First stop was Hackworth's House, the home of Timothy Hackworth - one of the unsung heroes of the early railway age. While George Stephenson might be the name everyone knows, Hackworth was right there at the forefront of steam locomotive development, playing a vital role in making early engines more reliable and powerful.

Originally a blacksmith from Wylam (just like Stephenson), Hackworth worked alongside him in the early days, including on the famous Locomotion No. 1, which ran on the opening day of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. But while Stephenson was more of a visionary and promoter, Hackworth was the practical genius - the man who got things working.

When Stephenson moved on to other projects, Hackworth became the first locomotive superintendent of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, operating out of Shildon. He lived here, just steps away from the engine sheds and works, and dedicated himself to improving steam technology. One of his most famous designs, the Royal George (1827), introduced several important innovations, especially in draughting, making locomotives far more efficient.

Hackworth also competed in the famous Rainhill Trials in 1829 with his engine Sans Pareil. While Stephenson's Rocket won, Hackworth's entry was a strong runner-up and is now celebrated in railway museums across the UK.

The house itself isn't open to visitors, but it's well worth pausing outside and reflecting on the life and work that went on within. It's a lovely Georgian building, modest but full of character - just like the man himself. Without Hackworth, the railways might have taken a very different track indeed.

The Coal Drops - Industrial magic

Next on the trail are the Coal Drops, and these beauties are a real standout. Built around 1846, they were part of the essential infrastructure of the early Stockton and Darlington Railway network. Essentially, they allowed horse-drawn coal wagons to roll along the top level and tip coal directly into waiting railway wagons below - no lifting, no faff, just gravity doing the work. Clever stuff!

The structure itself is made from solid stone arches with a high-level ramp above, and it's remarkably well preserved. You can walk beneath it and imagine the thunder of carts trundling above, tipping black gold down chutes into wagons ready to steam off to the growing towns and cities of the Industrial North.

Shildon was a key hub for moving coal from the Durham coalfields to the coast, and these drops helped streamline the whole operation. It's one of those places where you can almost hear the clatter and bustle of industry, and it really hammers home just how important the railways were to the coal trade - and vice versa.

SoHo Shed - The world's rirst railway engine shed?

Now here's a proper gem for the railway buffs - SoHo Shed. At first glance, it might just look like a modest old industrial building, but this place is believed to be the world's first purpose-built railway engine shed, dating all the way back to 1827. That's right - this humble structure in Shildon was right at the cutting edge of the railway revolution.

It was built as part of Timothy Hackworth's expanding railway operations and served as the main workshop for maintaining and housing early locomotives on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Before this, there wasn't really such a thing as a dedicated engine shed - locomotives were experimental, and facilities were improvised. SoHo changed all that, marking the start of more organised railway engineering and depot infrastructure.

The name 'SoHo' is thought to be a nod to Boulton & Watt's famous Soho Foundry in Birmingham, a powerhouse of the steam age. Hackworth admired their work, and the name was likely chosen as a tribute to that spirit of innovation.

Inside, the shed would have once echoed with the clang of hammers, the hiss of steam, and the murmur of engineers fine-tuning their creations. Hackworth and his team worked on some of the earliest and most important locomotives here, including the Royal George. It's no exaggeration to say that this building helped shape the very foundations of the modern railway.

The shed has been restored and preserved, and today it stands as a proud reminder of Shildon's vital role in railway history. There's a short section of track outside and the whole area around it has been sympathetically landscaped, making it easy to imagine the locomotives rolling in for a bit of TLC nearly two centuries ago.

200 years of history

It's amazing to think this is the birthplace of the modern railway, and in 2025 celebrating its 200 years anniversary.

These sites are close together, so it's an easy walking route. You'll find info boards at each stop too, helping bring the stories to life. And if you fancy making a day of it, the Locomotion railway museum is just up the road, with loads more to explore - including some proper steam giants!.

I absolutely love wandering here, always something to see and usually someone local with a story to tell, but failing that, just take a moment to imagine what it would've been like when the air was full of coal smoke and the sound of steam engines chugging into life. If you're in the area - or fancy a little railway-themed road trip this is one for the list!

Thanks to DJ Aerial Photography for writing this fabulous article.