Home Across County Durham Little Loco: A new arrival near Heighington

Little Loco: A new arrival near Heighington

Little Loco Arrives is the prequel to Little Loco’s BIG Day, first published in 2023.

For those who enjoyed Little Loco’s first adventure, there’s good news! A new Little Loco picture book about the Stockton & Darlington Railway is out now.

Little Loco Arrives is the prequel to Little Loco’s BIG Day, first published in 2023.

The new story is about the arrival of Locomotion No.1 (Little Loco) at the level crossing near Heighington a few days before the opening day (Little Loco’s BIG Day) on the 27th September 1825.

She had travelled all the way from Newcastle on the back of a waggon pulled by eight horses.

Both books are written by Caroline Hardie and illustrated by John Pickin – two archaeologists who know their stuff.

Caroline is a founding trustee and editor of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway; she has also written several books about the S&DR for grown-ups.

Little Loco Arrives features ‘the iron horse,’ Herald the Horse (a real horse), George Stephenson’s big brother Jem, Middridge fairies (real fairies?) and the first passengers on the modern railway – three local children.

There is even a song to sing along to, co-written with Phil Sculthorpe of Darlington and, funny pictures littered with creatures and the occasional pile of poo.

It’s a true story of course – readers can go to the back of the book and find out the facts behind Little Loco Arrives – and yes, that includes the Middridge fairies!

Caroline said: “I hope this new story will continue to excite the next generation about the amazing the Stockton & Darlington Railway and make them feel proud to live in the part of the country that gave the world the modern railway.

“I hope local primary schools will be interested in running more Little Loco workshops that help children learn about the railway that got the world on track”.

Caroline will be doing readings from Little Loco Arrives at the Friends’ celebratory event at Heighington Station on the 27 September 2026.

Books will also be available to buy and Caroline will be happy to sign them.

There might be free stickers too!

Little Loco Arrives and Little Loco’s BIG Day, suitable for ages 5-8, are available from Waterstones in Darlington, Drake the Bookshop in Stockton, Eiledon Books in Bishop Auckland and the Friends of the S&DR web site https://sdr1825.org.uk/store/.

They will be coming soon to other independent bookshops or ask for them at Locomotion in Shildon and Hopetown in Darlington.

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