A brief walking tour through the story of the first Railway Institute

A brief walking tour through the story of the first Railway Institute

Step back into the birthplace of railway community life. This guided and illustrated walk through New Shildon’s old railway quarter explores the origins of the Shildon Railway Institute, founded in 1833 by the Stockton & Darlington Railway Company’s engineer and locomotive superintendent Timothy Hackworth— making it the oldest Railway Institute in the world.

Along the route, we’ll uncover the places and people that shaped nearly two centuries of industrial and social history, from the pioneering age of steam to the challenges and changes of the post-industrial era. You’ll see what remains, imagine what’s been lost, and hear stories of how Shildon’s railwaymen and their families built not just trains, but a community.

The walk ends with a visit to the Institute’s current Grade II listed building, where we’ll explore its historic rooms and finish with tea, coffee, and conversation in good company.

Perfect for:
Railway enthusiasts, lovers of social history, or anyone curious to discover how Shildon helped lay down tracks for the welfare of Britain’s railway communities.

📅 Saturday 22 / Sunday 23 November 2025


📍 Starts: Outside “Cape to Cairo” 225 Byerley Road, Shildon, DL4 1HH


⏱️ Duration: Approximately [1½–2 hours]


💷 Cost: £12 (includes exclusive illustrated booklet and tea/coffee/soft drink)