Dear Editor,
With the re-creation of Locomotion No.1’s inaugural journey now behind us I felt it important to express my appreciation to the excellent staff, volunteers (many of whom live among us here) and management of the Locomotion museum here in Shildon for their part in staging the weekend’s celebrations, undoubtedly the highlight of the year.
Goodness knows how much unseen planning, navigating red tape, physical and administrative effort went into their part in pulling off their part in first leg of the journey.
I recognise that the overall event has been the work of a wider festival organising team, and that some readers may have thought “Well I’d have done it this way or that way instead,” but I do think it’s key to recognise that without the Locomotion team, their track and facilities and their determined effort we may not have seen that journey begin here in such spectacular fashion, if at all.
The decision to bring this division of the National Railway Museum to Shildon twenty one years ago, and support its subsequent development since, certainly saved the day for Shildon on this historic celebratory weekend.
Having done so enabled such an important reminder to us, and to the whole world, of Shildon’s unique identity and undeniable heritage.
That story defines our place in the world far more than it does Darlington or Stockton.
I take my hat off to everyone who contributed on Friday but, really, the Locomotion museum team should be particularly and justly proud of their work.
Your sincerely,
Dave Reynolds, Shildon
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
