Darlington Borough Council has selected Willmott Dixon to deliver its £35 million Railway Heritage Quarter in the Tees Valley.

Procured via the SCAPE framework, the project will transform the Head of Steam railway museum site off North Road, which includes the Goods Shed and Carriage works, into a tourist attraction that will attract visitors from across the UK and overseas.

The project is being supported by £20million of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

The work involves the design and build of a new Railway Heritage Quarter Museum including the refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings, a new live engineering shed and an immersive experience building which will feature holograms of trains as well as static displays, a café and shop, new public realm, parking provision and a railway themed children's play area.


Due to be complete in 2024, the attraction is anticipated to be ready for the bi-centenary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.

Councillor Jonathan Dulston, leader of Darlington Borough Council said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to re-launch Darlington as the birthplace of the railways, the town that financially supported the initial idea of the passenger railway.

"It has taken a great deal of time, passion, energy and ingenuity to reach this stage of the project and it is with a great deal of pride that we set the Railway Heritage Quarter on track for completion in time for the bi-centenary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025."