Rail museum revamp gets under way

The museum was a Victorian station which opened in 1842

An historic rail museum which used to be a Victorian station is undergoing phase two of a £1.7m revamp.

Work on the interior of the Railway Centre and Museum in Darlington is underway after contractor Newton Moor Construction Ltd was appointed.

The upgrade will include new lighting and heating, as well as improved display areas and visitor facilities.

The grade II listed building was the home of the world's first passenger railway, which opened in 1842.

It ran between Darlington and Stockton and new interactive displays at the centre will explain the significant role Darlington played in developing the railways.

Since the museum closed at Easter for 12 months to allow the refurbishment to take place, improvements have been carried out to the roof and some of the famous locomotives have been moved out of the building.

The museum's star attractions, Locomotion and Derwent, are also being moved from the platform of the former Stockton and Darlington Railway Station onto the tracks.