This year marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first locomotive works, Stephenson’s works in Newcastle.
To celebrate the event, the Robert Stephenson Trust is holding an exhibition with a series of lectures, and has published a book. Robert Stephenson & Co was founded on June 23, 1823 by the ‘father of railways’ George Stephenson with his son Robert, and two local industrialists – Edward Pease and Michael Longridge. With Robert as managing partner, the company established their ‘locomotive factory’ at South Street on the North bank of the River Tyne. It would soon become the pride of Newcastle.
The exhibition will be held in the Map Room at The Common Room, Neville Hall, Newcastle. It will feature displays and videos about Robert Stephenson’s life, the formation of Robert Stephenson & Co, illustrations of the Newcastle factory, the firm’s products, and the Trust’s endeavours to raise awareness of this important chapter in the history of Newcastle and the North East.
READ MORE: Tyneside in 1973: From 'glam rock' to a new signing at the Toon - in 10 photographs
It will be opened this week at 10.30am on January 28, 2023 by Donald Heath OBE, Robert Stephenson Trust Chairman. A presentation Robert Stephenson and Co, Locomotive Builders, Newcastle, 1823 to 1902 by the Trust’s Vice-chairman, Hugh Fenwick will follow in The Common Room Lecture Theatre. The exhibition will open to the public at 2pm on January 28, continuing until March 25, 2023, Mondays to Saturdays between 10am and 4pm. Admission is free.
Donald Heath said: "Robert Stephenson was arguably the greatest of Britain’s many 19th century engineers, excelling as both a mechanical and a civil engineer. The creation of Robert Stephenson & Co, and the opening of the ‘locomotive factory’ in 1823 was a milestone, not just in Robert’s career, but also in the development of railways worldwide.
"The works built the best early steam locomotives, including Locomotion No 1 and Rocket, and went on to supply locomotives across the world. We are delighted to be able to celebrate these achievements which started two centuries ago here in the North East.”
The Trust’s book, The World’s First Locomotive Factory , describes the life and products of the firm from its founding in 1823 to completion of the final locomotive in 1964. With almost eighty illustrations it portrays the amazing range of high quality locomotives built by the company for railways across the world, both at the original Newcastle factory and later at Darlington. It can be obtained from the Trust, priced £6, or £8 including post and packing to a UK address.
During the period of the exhibition there will be a programme of lectures at The Common Room relating to Robert Stephenson & Co. Admission is free but tickets can be booked in advance at or by phone - 0191 2509717 (press ‘programme’ or ‘library’)
Thursday February 9, 2023 at 2pm: The Art of Robert Stephenson – Images of the man, his life and works, by J Michael Taylor MBE, Robert Stephenson Trust Trustee. Thursday February 23, 2023 at 2pm: Stephenson Survivors Worldwide, by Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator of Rail Transport & Technology, National Railway Museum. Saturday March 4, 2023 at 1pm: The Stanhope & Tyne Railroad Company, by Rob Langham, author. Saturday March 4, 2023 at 2.30pm: Thomas Elliott Harrison – Railway Engineer, by John Addyman, President of the North Eastern Railway Association. Saturday March 18, 2023 at 2pm: Progress in Design and Manufacture: The Steam Locomotive 1825-1830, Dr Michael R Bailey MBE, railway historian and archaeologist.
Visit the website of the Robert Stephenson Trust: www.robertstephensontrust.com
READ NEXT:
- Newcastle on the cusp of change in the 1960s - striking photographs from a new book
The lost Tyneside railway station that once served a prosperous suburb
Where was this Tyneside location from TV's Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?
The fearless Newcastle steeplejacks perched on a 222-foot cathedral spire
60p a pint! The early 1980s drinks menu at Newcastle's Tuxedo Junction nightclub
