Locomotion, National railway museum in Shildon, England.
Locomotion is a national railway museum in Shildon, County Durham, holding historic locomotives and trains from across the history of British railways. The site has several exhibition halls along with outdoor areas where vehicles are displayed in the open air.
The site stands on the route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in 1825 as the world's first public steam railway. Shildon was central to that line because the wagons were built and maintained there.
The collection shows how the railway changed everyday life in Britain, from moving coal to carrying passengers between towns. The locomotives on display make it easy to see how deeply industry shaped the country.
Entry is free, which makes a visit easy to plan without much preparation. Sturdy footwear is worth considering for the outdoor areas, as the paths can vary depending on the weather.
A wind turbine on the grounds powers the whole museum and sends any surplus electricity back to the national grid. It is an odd sight to see a monument to steam power standing next to a modern turbine.
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