I AM writing to support Barrie Lamb’s letter (HAS, Apr 15) concerning the future of Locomotion No 1 and Darlington’s Head of Steam railway museum.

Locomotion No 1 is a deeply historic, iconic locomotive which, because of its deep historic significance, can and must only be housed in the Head of Steam museum under cover and with the right protection and care.

Barrie is right – if a change of location was ever considered, the National Railway Museum and the Science Museum, which ultimately own the engine, would take it away from Darlington and our rich railway heritage would be considerably undermined.

I feel there is a need for a symbol of our rich railway heritage to be placed in a central place in Darlington so everyone can see it.

With this in mind I have written to Distinct Darlington to ask if a replica of Locomotion No 1 can be placed in a strategic position on High Row to highlight Darlington’s rich railway heritage and to reflect that the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first steam powered passenger railway in the world, played a major part in world history.

The effects of what happened here in 1825 spread right round the world and changed the way people travelled.

Coun Alan Macnab, Darlington.

WELL said Barrie Lamb about keeping Locomotion No 1 at Darlington’s Head of Steam railway museum (HAS, Apr 15).

The suggestion by a councillor that it should be moved outdoors is absolutely potty!

The reason this famous locomotive and the Derwent engine were removed from their old place of display in Bank Top station in 1975 is because they were suffering from such exposure. The museum offers a controlled environment in appropriate surroundings.

As Mr Lamb says, it would be far better if determined efforts were made to save the North Road museum from the threat of closure.

While at Beamish Museum last weekend for the wonderful Great North Steam Fair, I came across a party of transport enthusiasts from Belgium. They told me that they had also visited the Darlington museum and found it “full of interest”.

They were surprised it was not better publicised as they had only discovered it from watching Michael Portillo’s railway travel programme on TV in which he had visited the museum. They said it was well worth the effort to find it.

So take note, Darlington. The tourists will come if you promote your attractions to them and up front is your place in railway history.

Colin Foster, Scarborough.