LOOKING back to the week that was September 23 to September 29, 20 years ago...

VOLUNTEERS worked around the clock to make sure a replica of one of the rail industry’s treasures was up and running in time for its opening, 20 years ago.

It had been a labour of love for the 13 members of The Merlin Locomotive Group who had been working away on the replica of Sans Pareil.

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A total of 1,100 hours were spent on a complete overhaul of the small engine, a copy of rail pioneer Timothy Hackworth’s masterpiece built in Shildon for the famous Rainhill Trials.

Chairman of the group David Heaton said: “We have enjoyed every minute of it and now it is ready. We had it up and running and tested last week."

The group had been meeting for the past eight years in the Goods Shed (better known as The Merlin Shed) opposite the former home of Hackworth.

Retired engineering teacher Mr Heaton, 60, said: “We come from all walks of life but we all have one thing in common – a love of steam railway engines.

“We meet once a week, on a Wednesday, all day, and we do whatever work is required, whether it is painting or repairs.

“We started working on the Sans Pareil in May and we have been working three days a week to get it finished."

Pupils from Darlington joined forces to drum up business for an open day promoting extended schools activities, in September 2004.

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Hummersknott School and Language College and Skerne Park Primary School became Darlington's first extended schools, backed by £168,000 of funding from the Department for Education and Skills.

Extended schools offer pupils, families and local communities a range of services, including after-school activities, community sports programmes, evening classes, adult learning, childcare, parenting support and on-site health and social care.

Activities and workshops included silk painting, clay modelling, card making and break-dancing, a climbing wall, video-conference demonstrations, tai chi and drumming.