A NORTH-East leader has said celebrating the history and heritage of Darlington's railway will "cement the message that we are the historical home of Locomotion No.1"

The Darlington Bank Top Station development is set to finish in December 2024 ahead of the 200 year anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and northern leaders are confident it will meet this deadline.

Councillor Heather Scott, Darlington Borough Council leader, said: "It is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2024 and this is something that we are emphasising all the time and there is an understanding with Rail North how important this is to us, so yes, unless there is some kind of catastrophe, that’s what the intention is.

“Obviously 2025 is not only a Darlington celebration or even a regional celebration it is an international celebration, so we will be marketing it so that this will be the access point, then they can get by train from Bank Top station to the Head of Steam.

Talking about how the development will link into the 200 year anniversary MP Peter Gibson said: "There are a number of things that we are negotiated with the national railway museum with the departure of Locomotion No.1.

"One of which is Network Rail agreed to provide a plinth at the expanded station to house a further replica of Locomotion No.1.

“I for one would love to see this amazing circular rotating platform which we could have a replica of the engine with its pistons moving up and down. A really magnificent piece of moving sculpture that would celebrate our history and heritage.

“I know there are many people in Darlington remember Locomotion No.1 being housed at Bank Top Station.

The Northern Echo:

"To be able to bring that full story of the original first engine at this brand new station platform celebrating our history and heritage, really does cement the message that we are the historical home of Locomotion No.1, birthplace of the railway.

“The council is already doing work to acquire Edward Pease’s house where Locomotion No.1 was originally agreed to be purchased. You’ll have seen Skerne Bridge, the £5 note bridge.

“That connectivity of the story of Darlington’s Bank Top Station down Victoria Road along and up Northgate to the Head of Steam is a great story in architecture and locomotion history really."