Darlington Pupils Recreate Historic Toy Train for Hopetown Display

An iconic toy train believed to be the first ever made has been recreated by young historians and put on display at a North East museum.

Year 8 pupils from Hummersknott Academy in Darlington built a replica of the historic train, which originally belonged to the influential Pease family.

Using wood, metal and papier-mâché, the pupils combined the original design with modern technology to create an interactive exhibit now on display at Hopetown Darlington.

Pupil Panagiotis said: “It was really interesting to learn about how the railways changed everything. Suddenly, people could transport food much faster, so lots of new foods became available.”

His classmate Lucas, whose family work at Crathorne Farm Dairy, explored how the arrival of the railways transformed the transportation of milk and other dairy products.

He said: “We learned that one of the new train routes was nicknamed The Milky Way because so much milk travelled that way.

“The important thing was that there was now a way to transport it faster, so customers received it before it turned sour.”

The replica can be found in Hopetown’s Carriage Works exhibition, where visitors can scan QR codes to hear reports recorded by the pupils about the ways in which the railways changed everyday life.

As part of the project, the students researched the impact of the railways on areas including fashion, farming, culture, folklore and toys.

They also visited Mowden Primary School in Darlington to share their findings with younger pupils.

James Salmond, a history teacher at Hummersknott Academy who oversaw the project, said: “It’s such a wonderful thing for the pupils to be able to share their work with the public.

“They’ve put so much effort into this project, and the results speak for themselves. We’re very proud of them and grateful to Hopetown for giving them this opportunity.”

The train will remain on display throughout the summer.

Alison Grange, Collections Engagement Manager at Hopetown Darlington, said: “We’re always really excited to showcase the work of schoolchildren from across the area, especially when it focuses on our pioneering railway heritage.

“I hope their display will help inspire the pioneers of the future.”