Hitachi helps save world's first railway station
Saving this globally significant historic site is an important development in the UK's national celebration of 200 years of the railway.
www.hitachirail.com
Hitachi Rail and the Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway are announcing that the world's first railway station - Heighington railway station in County Durham – has been saved.
A significant donation from Hitachi Rail alongside successful crowdfunding efforts from the public, has secured a long-term future for the historic site. The charity - Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway – future ownership of the site will also unlock funding and partnership from Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Railway Heritage Trust and others for conservation and refurbishment.
Dating from 1826, Heighington Station is widely recognised as the world's first railway station. Designed for the pioneering Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR), it was the first dedicated building constructed to serve both locomotive operations and passenger services and set the precedent for modern rail infrastructure.
The site introduced key innovations, including the earliest known low platform to serve regular railway commuters, and a station building positioned directly alongside the track. Heighington is also historically significant as the site where Locomotion No.1 was first placed on the rails in 1825, a year ahead of the station's opening. Sold by British Rail in 1970, the building became a public house before falling into disuse. In 2024, it was added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.
Therefore, saving this globally significant historic site is fitting as we celebrate the bicentenary of Stockton and Darlington Railway and the birth of the modern railway. Especially, ahead of Locomotion 1 replica's journey along the Stockton-Darlington route on 26th, 27thand 28th September, where it will pass at Heighington Station.
Rachel Evans, HR Director UK & Ireland said: "Hitachi is immensely proud to help save Heighington, the world's first railway station, and give back to the local community that has supported us since we opened our Newton Aycliffe factory in 2015.
"The deep rail heritage of this area was a key factor in our decision to bring train manufacturing back to the North East. By preserving Heighington, we are strengthening Hitachi's involvement in the North East's rich rail legacy."
Niall Hammond, Chair of Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway said:"This relatively simple and humble building is the inspiration for all railway stations that came afterwards across the world. It's remarkable survival for 200 years presents an opportunity to restore it as a key part of not just our bicentenary celebrations, but as an amazing resource for our future work in education, community involvement and as a very special place for visitors from around the world to come to.
"The generous donation from Hitachi will allow us to take the project forward and make some wonderful things happen for our community and is a key step forward in establishing our charitable work for future generations."
Alan Strickland MP said: "I've been proud to work with the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on their campaign to secure the future of Heighington Railway Station. Our area has long been a centre of rail innovation and I'm so pleased that this piece of history will be saved thanks to Hitachi's generous support."
Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway's hard work and passion for five years has been instrumental in saving the Grade II* listed site. Working with Durham County Council, The Railway Heritage Trust, Headley Trust and Historic England, the charity built awareness of the national and local significance of station, and support for its preservation.
The charity is not just focusing on conserving the past but are also developing exciting plans for Heighington Station's future, which includes:
. Becoming a key point on 26-mile S&DR Discovery trail through County Durham, Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees, and halfway between Locomotion and Hopetown museums to encourage rail tourism in the area.
. Restoring the site as close to the original 1820's designs for educational and heritage purposes.
. Provision of unique historic rooms for private hire for business or social events, along with a bar/Café and overnight accommodation
. Collaboration with South Durham UTC (University Technical College), with student projects and exploring the construction of a new 6th form centre on former railway land adjacent to the historic railway station.
These plans ensure that Heighington station is more than a historic site but also makes an ongoing contribution to the community, education and the local economy.
Helping to save the world's first railway station is part of Hitachi Rail's wider support for celebrations of 200 years since the birth of the modern railway. Other activities include, being a proud sponsor of S&DR200Festival, hosting a Factory 'Open Day' on 4th October, and exhibiting pioneering North East battery technology at Hopetown Darlington's Steam to the Future exhibition(July till October).
More information about Hitachi's Railway 200 celebrations can be found on its dedicated webpage – https://bit.ly/3FcR481
www.hitachirail.com
