‘World’s oldest’ railway station set to be rescued

Campaigners have raised £300,000 to rescue what’s widely regarded as the world’s first railway station.

Heighington railway station has been saved from decline following a major donation from Hitachi Rail and a public fundraising campaign led by the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

The Grade II* listed station, built in 1826 to serve the pioneering Stockton & Darlington Railway, had been placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2024. 

Sold by British Rail in 1970, the building had fallen into disuse after stints as a public house and years without maintenance (see below).

County Durham-based Hitachi Rail’s financial backing will help the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway take ownership of the site and unlock further funding from Historic England, The Railway Heritage Trust, National Lottery Heritage Fund and others for conservation and refurbishment.

Campaigners say that plans for Heighington include restoring the station to its 1820s design, creating event spaces, opening a café and bar and adding overnight accommodation. 

They add it will also serve as a midpoint along a new 26-mile discovery trail and form a hub for educational initiatives in collaboration with South Durham UTC.

Niall Hammond, chair of friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, said: “This relatively simple and humble building is the inspiration for all railway stations that came afterwards across the world. 

“It’s remarkable survival for 200 years presents an opportunity to restore it as a key part of not just our bicentenary celebrations, but as an amazing resource for our future work in education, community involvement and as a very special place for visitors from around the world to come to.

“The generous donation from Hitachi will allow us to take the project forward and make some wonderful things happen for our community and is a key step forward in establishing our charitable work for future generations.”

Rachel Evans, HR director UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail, added: “Hitachi is immensely proud to help save Heighington, the world's first railway station, and give back to the local community that has supported us since we opened our Newton Aycliffe factory in 2015.

“The deep rail heritage of this area was a key factor in our decision to bring train manufacturing back to the North East.

“By preserving Heighington, we are strengthening Hitachi's involvement in the North East's rich rail legacy.”

The site is also central to the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and will be a key stop when a replica of Locomotion No.1 travels the route in September.

Alan Strickland MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, added: “I've been proud to work with the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on their campaign to secure the future of Heighington Railway Station. 

“Our area has long been a centre of rail innovation and I'm so pleased that this piece of history will be saved thanks to Hitachi’s generous support.”

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