Welcome
Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum is located in North Road Station on the 1825 route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first steam worked public railway. Step back in time to our original 1840's railway station with its original booking office, footbridge, waiting room, newspaper kiosk and Victorian toilets. Follow the history of Darlington and the growth of the railways, and admire our four historic locomotives, including Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1. We are family friendly, with a programme of temporary exhibitions, events and activities. The Museum also has the Ken Hoole Study Centre, which has a collection of documentary material, photographs, plans, books and periodicals.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Introductory audio visual roomReception and ShopMain toiletsRefreshment StopGlass CorridorCafe for events and school holidaysShop at ReceptionMuseum displaysTemporary exhibition roomMeeting roomNorthern Rail Activity RoomVictorian Toilets DisplayBooking OfficeThe Pease RoomThe Ken Hoole Study CentreChildren's Play RoomMuseum event fieldThere is level access from the car park to:
Outdoor picnic areaHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
North Road Station is not accessible for wheelchair users. Access to the station from the street is by a stepped ramp, it has a handrail. Wheelchair users should use Darlington Station and get a taxi to the Museum, it is 1.5 miles away.
Travel by taxi
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Reception and Shop
We have magnifiers, a signature guide, a coin chart and easigrip pens are available.
Things to See and Do
Introductory audio visual room
Public toilet
Main toilets
There is a bin suitable for incontinence products (pads, catheter equipment etc) as well as menstrual sanitary protection.
Shop
Shop at Reception
Place to eat and drink
Refreshment Stop
There is a range of snacks and drinks available from Reception. Staff can carry trays to the Refreshment Stop seating area. Chairs can be moved.
Place to eat and drink
Glass Corridor
This is an area for visitors to eat their own food indoors. They can also use it for food and drink purchased in the museum.
Place to eat and drink
Cafe for events and school holidays
There is a range of prepacked sandwiches, with crisps, cakes and biscuits, and hot and cold drinks available. This service is only available on event days and in school holidays. Availability of sandwiches for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs depends on demand and may sell out.
Museum displays
The main displays are on the platforms of our building, which used to be a railway station. There are original features in situ such as the newspaper kiosk and footbridge. There are display boards and glass cases, as well as luggage trolleys. Whilst the narrowest part between display items is 890mm, there are alternative routes around the displays, with most spaces being 1000mm or wider.
Temporary exhibition room
This space is a wooden room that used to be the waiting room for the station. It has wooden benches along two walls and a metal stove at the back of the room.
Meeting room
This room is used for meetings, training and talks. Furniture can be moved to accomodate wheelchair users.
Northern Rail Activity Room
Activities for schools and families take place in this room. Furniture can be moved to accomodate wheelchair users.
Victorian Toilets Display
This room was the original men's toilets for the station in Victorian times. It has urinals and cubicles for display purposes only. The floor is uneven in places due to it's age, and is patterned. There is a 'carbolic soap' smell effect in this room.
Booking Office
This room has low light levels to protect the historic furniture. There is a barrier across the room to prevent access. If staff or volunteers are available they can remove the barrier to allow access for visitors. There is a 'furniture polish' smell effect in this room. There is room for a wheelchair user to access this room but please note there is heavier furniture and old luggage items in it.
The Pease Room
There is a threshold of 25mm into this room. The room has lower light levels to protect the artwork and furniture in it. There is a rope barrier across the room preventing access further into the room. There is not enough room to turn a wheelchair around inside the room. There is a film showing in the room with subtitles and BSL interpretation.
The Ken Hoole Study Centre
This room is for research purposes and contains part of the museum archive. Visitors wishing to search the archive should make an appointment. Please mention any access requirements you have on booking and staff will do their best to accommodate your needs. Chairs can be moved to allow wheelchair access.
Children's Play Room
The play room is accessed from Reception. It has a variety of small world and imaginative play items such as a wooden train set table, Lego, dressing up clothes, jigsaws and books. Furniture and play materials can be moved to make more space.
Getting around outside
Outdoor picnic area
The picnic area is grassed and accessed by wheelchair users over an area of crazy paving - this is a little uneven. There is also a play train for children. In the summer there is a range of outdoor games such as giant connect 4 and jenga on the grass. The area is next to the car park and opposite the museum entrance.
Museum event field
The field is used for events such as the Vintage Vehicle Rally. It is a large grassed area.
Customer care support
A walker, it has brakes and a seat and offers support whilst walking.
Emergency evacuation procedures
The fire alarm system also has a voice that says "This is a fire alarm, please leave the building immediately".
Customer care support
We have a Visual Guide to the museum for people with autism, and a kit bag of sensory and fidget toys for those requiring some quiet time. We will try to provide a quiet space on request, but it depends on how busy the building is.