AN art's project exploring the history of the railways and artificial limb making at Darlington’s North Road Works will be working with amputees for a special exhibition.

The On Track for Change project, which is being run by The Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, will include working with the local community to create a work of art inspired by what is uncovered.

A plan of North Road Works revealed the history of artificial limb making at North Road Works by railway employees for those injured in railway accidents.

Further research found employee records of artificial limb makers based at North Road Works and the North Eastern Railway Company granting limbs to those who needed them.

A £36,900 grant from the Arts Council will enable a group of amputees from across the North-East to work with artist Sophie de Oliveira Barata, founder and director of the Alternative Limb Project, to create a bespoke, fully functioning artificial limb inspired by the railway industry and museum collections.

The artist spent eight years working as a sculptor for of the UKs leading prosthetic providers, making realistic limbs for amputees. In her spare time she made more experimental artwork in this medium before setting up a studio and launching the Alternative Limb Project,

It will go on show as part of a special exhibition at the museum, to run from Saturday, July 4 to Sunday, August 30, which will document the making of the limb and bring to light the technology used in artificial limbs today.

An accompanying exhibition, Disability on the Tracks, will tell the story of how the pattern makers at North Road Works became limb makers and how railway companies throughout the country made artificial limbs for those injured in railway accidents or during war. Entry to both are included in normal admission and yearly passes.

Alison Grange, the Head of Steam’s collections and learning assistant, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the Alternative Limb Project and our local community to shine a light on a history previously unseen in the museum.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing what Sophie and the group create and to be able to share it with visitors later in the year.”

Ray Holland, from Middlesbrough, who is part of the group, said: “I was pleased to be asked to become involved in the project as I feel, that as a new prosthetic user, my experience of what’s available now versus what was available to the workers on the railways will be a useful contrast.

“As a lover of history, I’ll not only be able to give my views to assist the project but also learn a little about our industrial past.

"Meeting and working with Sophie will be an amazing experience and I am really looking forward to bringing whatever I can to the project.

"It will also benefit me too, by talking openly to other people about my own journey.”