We’re thrilled to announce that Hopetown Darlington, a heritage venue proudly sponsored by Bussey & Armstrong, has secured not one but two prestigious awards from the annual Heritage Railway Association (HRA) Awards, held on Saturday, 8 February 2025 at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead. These achievements firmly place Hopetown Darlington at the forefront of railway heritage attractions both regionally and across the UK.
HRA Railway 200 Special Award
One of the highlights of the evening was winning the HRA Railway 200 Special Award—created at the discretion of the judging panel and the board of the HRA to mark an outstanding project celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. Hopetown Darlington truly captured the judges’ imaginations by embodying the spirit of Railway 200, with its commitment to showcasing Darlington’s pivotal role in the birth of modern passenger rail. This recognition also celebrates Hopetown’s contribution to the community, from providing educational experiences for young people to creating a welcoming hub for local residents and visitors alike.
HRA Chief Executive, Steve Oates, praised the project, stating:
“The work that has gone into creating Hopetown Darlington is enormously impressive and… a very deserving winner of the Railway 200 Special Award. Everyone involved should be congratulated.”
Heritage Railway Magazine Interpretation Award
In addition to the Special Award, Hopetown Darlington also received the Heritage Railway Magazine Interpretation Award, recognizing how North Road Station Museum at Hopetown tells the story of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and highlights Darlington’s influence on railways worldwide.
Robin Jones, Chief Editor of Heritage Railway Magazine, commended the museum’s innovative approach:
“An ingenious combination of locomotives, stock and relics… with fascinating and inspirational 21st-century high-technology exhibits excels in introducing our proud rail legacy to new generations.”
Building on Previous Success
These latest wins add to Hopetown Darlington’s growing list of accolades, including the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme accolade, the Welcome accolade from VisitEngland, the Visitor Economy Award at the County Durham Together Awards, and Best Museum or Cultural Venue at the North East Culture Awards.
Leona White-Hannant, Hopetown Darlington’s Development Director, sums it up perfectly:
“This award is a huge well done to our partners… and the whole team at Hopetown Darlington who promote our story every day.”
A Proud Sponsor
At Bussey & Armstrong, we’re incredibly proud to support Hopetown Darlington. With 2025 marking the bicentenary of the modern railway—and the museum’s 50th birthday—it’s the perfect time to highlight Darlington’s pioneering heritage on the world stage.
Councillor Libby McCollom, Cabinet Member for Local Services, added:
“These special awards for Hopetown Darlington reflect how the attraction is excelling in its mission to shout about Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage.”
Visit Hopetown Darlington
Join us in celebrating this double award triumph and experience Hopetown Darlington for yourself! Find out more about this triple award-winning venue by visiting Hopetown and discover the incredible story of how Darlington helped shape the future of railway travel around the globe.
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