Hitachi Opens Doors at Newton Aycliffe as Britain Marks 200 Years of Rail
Over 1500 visitors - including local competition winners - enjoyed tours around the modern manufacturing facility, experienced rides on the replica of Locomotion No.1, and explored Railway 200’s Exhibition Train.
www.hitachirail.com
Right next to where the world’s first passenger railway began, Hitachi Rail opened the doors of its Newton Aycliffe factory to the public for the first time on Saturday 4th October.
With Hitachi Rail’s state-of-the-art factory located alongside the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway, the sell-out event offered a unique opportunity to celebrate both the railway’s remarkable heritage and its exciting future. Hitachi Rail has partnered with Railway 200 and S&DR200 for the national bicentenary celebrations.
Visitors enjoyed a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most advanced train manufacturing facilities, exploring innovations in battery and digital train technology, while learning about the history of rail in the region, including rides on a working replica of the iconic Locomotion No.1.
Although tickets sold out in under 72 hours, 40 lucky attendees secured exclusive access through a Northern Echo competition by sharing what makes rail so special to them.
Highlights of the Open Day included:
. Factory tours and engineering demonstrations – Guests saw how modern trains are designed and built, with experts explaining cutting-edge technology, including battery trains and digital innovations shaping the future of rail travel.
. S&DR200 Replica Locomotion No.1 – The world’s first passenger-carrying steam locomotive returned to its birthplace, giving visitors the chance to explore and photograph the iconic engine.
. Railway 200’s unique exhibition train, ‘Inspiration’ – This interactive touring visitor attraction highlighted careers in the modern rail industry, rail’s role in shaping our lives and the future of rail innovation. It is on a 60-stop tour of Britain
. Community activities – Including heritage talks, family workshops and food stalls celebrating the North East’s rail legacy
Jim Brewin, Chief Director for UK & Ireland said: “Welcoming hundreds of families and rail enthusiasts through our doors is a wonderful way to celebrate 200 years of progress on the railway.Alongside Hitachi Rail’s support to save the world’s first passenger station at Heighington, we’re proud to give back to the local community during this once-in-a-generation celebration.This event is particularly special for us as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of our Newton Aycliffe factory – the moment Hitachi brought train manufacturing back to its birthplace. I want to thank our incredible partners and Hitachi Rail volunteers for their passion, enthusiasm and for making this such a memorable day.”
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: “We’re delighted that Hitachi has hosted such a special public event as part of rail’s national bicentenary celebrations. The presence of the Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration, hopefully added to the occasion and invited visitors of all ages to take a fresh look at the railway, learning more about how it shapes peoples’ lives and livelihoods.”
Niccy Halifax, S&DR200 Festival Director said: “Two hundred years on from the birth of passenger rail here in the North East, we’re proud to celebrate that legacy with Hitachi Rail as they open their doors for Railway 200 - showing how far our industry has come and why it still matters to communities and the economy today."
Alan Strickland MP said: “We can all be proud that Newton Aycliffe is at the forefront of rail technology today, just as it was in 1825.It was brilliant to see so many visitors exploring the Hitachi train factory, just a stone’s throw away from Heighington station, where Locomotion No. 1 was placed on the tracks for the first time."
In the lead-up to the Open Day, Hitachi Rail also welcomed 200 local pupils to the factory, giving them a chance to learn about what’s next for the rail manufacturing and see Locomotion No.1 replica up close, bringing the North East’s proud history to life. The Locomotion No.1 replica arrived at Newton Aycliffe following it's anniversary journey along the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
The Open Day was part of Hitachi Rail’s wider Railway 200 celebrations, which included partnering with the S&DR200 Festival, featuring at Hopetown Darlington’s Steam to the Future exhibition, and showcasing the North East’s pioneering battery train technology on Michael Portillo’s BBC special. A key highlight was Hitachi Rail’s significant donation to save the historic Heighington Station – widely regarded as the world’s first passenger rail station.
More information and content about Hitachi’s Railway 200 celebrations can be found on its dedicated webpage – Railway 200 | Hitachi Rail
www.hitachirail.com
