Images showing the progress of a new tourist attraction that will open this summer in Darlington have been taken - showing how the main building is coming along.
When plans were set out last year for the redevelopment of Darlington’s railway heritage quarter, it was described as “one of the most significant attractions in the whole of the north".
Named Hopetown Darlington, the new attraction, which is expected to open this summer, will focus on the town’s railway history.
Here are the images of progress captured on the Hopetown attraction in Darlington:
It is hoped the multi-million development will attract 300,000 visitors a year and will play a central role in the town’s celebrations in 2025 of the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
The Hopetown brand has been inspired by the former name for the area, coined by railway pioneers who built foundries and homes beside the 1825 line.
In anticipation of the opening of the attraction, some images showing the progress have been taken by camera club member Neil Sturgeon, who has managed to show how far off the project is.
In the images, the foundation works look complete, while the pathways to the back of the main building look to be taking shape.
While scaffolding can still be seen on the main building, the main parts of the Hopetown scheme seem to be on track.
So what can visitors to Hopetown expect?
The building's clock tower is currently being restored and will act as “a beacon and totem for the town”.
A time travel simulator will take visitors on a journey of how rail travel changed the world. A new Wagon Works play park and restored 1842-style station will also open.
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Hopetown Darlington also includes the 1861 Engine Shed, most recently a scrapyard, which has been restored and is already the home of a couple of railway preservation groups.
What has been said about the project so far?
Speaking previously on the build in October last year, Mike Crawshaw, head of culture and heritage at Darlington Borough Council, said: “It should be a really special experience for families, rail heritage enthusiasts, schools and other groups,”
“We want visitors to be able to see manufacturing happening and we want to continue that legacy.
“This is not just a reboot of a museum, it is one of the most significant heritage attractions in the whole of the north.
“We want to bring the world to the town and tell them how we changed rail.”
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