THE home of the world’s first passenger engine became the focus of a debate in parliament this week, with one MP saying it was unfair to make the public pay to see it.

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman said Locomotion No. 1 belonged in Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon, the town in which the steam engine was built. She pointed out how Locomotion was a popular free attraction, while the engine’s present home, Head of Steam, formerly known as the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, was a smaller venue with an admission charge.

“I am concerned about Locomotion No. 1, the first passenger train steam engine,” said the Labour MP.

“Built in 1825 by Timothy Hackworth in Shildon in my constituency, it ought to be in the National Rail Museum branch in Shildon; instead it is in a small museum where people have to pay. It should be in the free, public museum that 200,000 people visit every year.”

However, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said she hoped Locomotion No. 1 could remain in Darlington, describing the town as the “birthplace of the railways,” adding: “It was the first place that was able to combine the transport of freight and passengers, on the Stockton and Darlington railway, and we are incredibly proud of that history.

“Darlington has the oldest passenger railway station, which is now used as our museum. Everyone in Darlington is taken to that site as a child.”

The issue was raised during a debate in parliament about the National Railway Museum and ownership of national assets.

Mrs Chapman agreed Head of Steam should be free, but also pointed out how the Darlington Borough Council-owned museum was in a far less privileged position than Locomotion.

“The railway museum in Darlington is supported by the Friends of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, by local residents and, principally, by Darlington council tax-payers,” she said.

“We have benefited from Heritage Lottery Fund money for special projects, and we are very grateful for that, but we do not benefit from any national strategic consideration of how these assets ought to be looked after and how they might be better promoted in the future.”

From April to September, Head of Steam is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, while from October to March it is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 3.30pm. Admission is £4.95 for adults, £3.75 for over 60s, £3 for children aged six to 16, and free for children aged five and under. A family pass for two adults and up to three children is £10. Yearly passes cost £10 or £15 for a family.

A council spokesperson said: “We are already working closely with colleagues from Shildon, Stockton, County Durham, Tees Valley Combined Authority, The Friends of the S&DR and others on plans to celebrate 2025, 200 years since the birth of the modern railways. These celebrations will attract people from all over the world.”

She said Locomotion No. 1 would form a key part of the celebrations, adding: “It was presented to Darlington 160 years ago and since then it has attracted people from across the world who are keen to see this unique and important piece of industrial heritage here on our doorstep.

“Entrance to the museum is free for under 5s and free for all on various occasions, including this half term. There is a range of charges and our annual passes represent great value for money for those who wish to visit throughout the year. We would, of course, welcome the subsidies that enable some museums to eliminate charges altogether.”