The story of the world’s first steam locomotive to carry passengers, when it left Shildon on its journey along the Stockton and Darlington Railway, has been published as a children’s book in the run up to the 200th anniversary of the world-changing event.
Little Loco’s Big Day is the uplifting tale of the iconic Locomotion No.1, built by the pioneering railway engineers George and Robert Stephenson.
Steam powered with a mighty hoot, the nervous Little Loco has to pull wonky waggons along the railway on the opening day in 1825. Trouble brews when the wonky waggons grumble because they want to be pulled by horses, not locomotives. Herald the Horse is worried that he will be replaced by Little Loco and put in a horrible home for hopeless horses.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway was the start of our modern railway network which went on spread across the world. The country will be celebrating 200 years since that momentous day in 2025. It is hoped that Little Loco’s Big Day will be the first in a series all about Little Loco’s adventures. Given that she is nearly 200 years old, that could be a long series.
The author, Barnard Castle based Caroline Hardie, is an archaeologist and a specialist in the history of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. She is also a Trustee and editor for the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
“The story starts off in Shildon of course,” said Caroline, “and also includes Timothy Hackworth, who features in the story as Talented Timothy.”
The book’s illustrator, John Pickin is also an archaeologist (once based in the Bowes Museum) specialising in industrial archaeology.
The book is suitable for children aged 6-7 or younger. The pictures are a hoot with lots of things to point at – look out for piles of steaming poo and a singing cat!
The book also has activities and at the end the fun facts tell the real story.
There is a website associated with it, where other activities can be found and even a song sung by a horse. Little Loco’s Big Day can be purchased here, all good book shops and here at the SWDN office in Shildon.
There is also information there for retailers wishing to stock it and for schools or other event organisers looking to request readings.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
