MANY months of painstaking First World War research will be available online from Wednesday in the latest phase of the Head of Steam’s Great War project.

The Darlington museum has been working on its ‘North Eastern Railways in World War One’ project since 2014 when it received £42,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The project has focused on the contribution of railway workers in the North-East during the First World War, who served or helped with the war effort.

It has involved the creation of an online database by volunteers which will be an invaluable resource for anyone researching their First World War family history.

Over 8,000 enlisted railway men have been recorded and over 2,000 images scanned.

This number will continue to grow as volunteers search through different archive material and there will be the opportunity to view archival documents that have been newly conserved and digitised as part of the project.

A new learning resource has also been created through research carried out by our volunteers and staff.

Teachers will be able to download materials from the website, as well as bring their students to take part in activities at the museum.

Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond.

“HLF has committed to funding a variety of projects, from organisations large and small, which will create a deeper understanding of the heritage of the conflict.”

The website will launch at noon on Wednesday.