Train art installation to celebrate 200 years of rail
Posted on 29 September 2025
AV Dawson, owner and operator of the Port of Middlesbrough, has unveiled a refurbished train on a local roundabout, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
After securing permission from Middlesbrough Council to utilise the roundabout, the company collaborated with students from The Northern School of Art on a creative project to design a striking new look for an old redundant locomotive, to mark the bicentenary. A design competition was launched for first-year students at the college, with the winning concept created by student Phoebe Allan, aged 17, whose interpretation of the S&DR 200th anniversary was brought to life on the locomotive. AV Dawson’s engineering team then carried out extensive refurbishment, restoring both the interior and exterior of the locomotive before applying the winning artwork design.
The S&DR was the first public passenger railway in the world. The connection between Middlesbrough and the railway dates back to 1830 when railway engineer Timothy Hackworth extended the railway line to Port Darlington, now known as the Port of Middlesbrough. At that time, Middlesbrough was little more than a hamlet of 25 people, but the railway’s arrival created trade and transformed it into a thriving industrial town. Today, the legacy continues at the Port of Middlesbrough, home to one of the largest independent rail freight facilities in the North of England, with four rail terminals across its 120-acre site.
The refurbished train is now displayed on the Riverside Park Road roundabout, at the eastern entrance to Riverside Park Industrial Estate. The landscaping around the installation symbolically reflects Hackworth’s plug wheel - a lighter weight design for cast iron locomotive wheels, which was invented by Timothy Hackworth, further tying the bicentenary locomotive refurbishment project back to Middlesbrough’s rail heritage.
To ensure the project was as environmentally friendly as possible, AV Dawson’s engineering team replaced the train’s engine with two large water butts, to collect rainwater to assist with watering the plants on the roundabout.
AV Dawson’s group managing director, Charlie Nettle said: “We wanted to mark this significant milestone in the right way and thought why not combine education with the bicentenary? We do a huge amount of work with young people, but this work is usually about helping them understand what’s happening today and the range of career opportunities available to them. This particular project has enabled us to share the story of our region’s history – a story that changed the world but started right here in Teesside.
“Many younger people living in the North East are unaware of our region’s heritage and the S&DR’s 200th anniversary. Through, this project, we’ve been able to instil in the students a sense of pride about what this region has achieved, whilst also helping them to develop their design skills on a live project.”
Charlie continued: “As a business, we believe it’s essential to honour and celebrate the past in order to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders.
“Commissioning this project has been a great way to mark the occasion, showcase our rich rail heritage and illustrate our company’s ongoing commitment to our region. Middlesbrough Council has been really supportive of the project too as it’s helping create a greater sense of pride in the local area.
Northern School of Art Lecturer, Jack Pratt said: “It’s been a fantastic experience for the students to participate in this project with AV Dawson, to help celebrate this milestone year.
“We partner with the business on a regular basis, and when this project came up, the students were delighted to work with the company once again to gain crucial, hands-on experience. and bridge the gap between the world of work and education.”
Source: https://www.portofmiddlesbrough.com/news/train-art-installation-to-celebrate-200-years-of-rail/
