Newcastle and Stephenson
Mike Downing draws attention to the South Street Works
Ever since the demise of steam engines from the remnants of what had been the great railway companies of the nineteenth century, the LNER, the LMS, the GWR and the SR, enthusiasm and nostalgia for the old age of steam has been steadily mounting. But, interestingly enough, it is not just the elders who are finding excitement in the experience of steam, the youngest members of families, and not only the boys, are discovering the romance of these eccentric machines of a bygone era. They have a special individuality of their own, which requires that the footplate crews learn their particular quirks. All this adds to the fascination.
In so many places the lure of steam ‘enchants’ great, and apparently increasing, numbers of enthusiasts. They evidently enjoy visiting centres where they can experience the conditions of times past These are often individual and character-full minor railway lines that have been brought back to life and which provide a wide range of recreational opportunities. They create interest at many levels. Visitors range from really fanatical steam train ‘buffs’ to those much less involved but still interested to look and learn, and with time do so, and even to those who are only looking for a day out with the children. In what might be called the leisure market, steam railways attract considerable numbers. An important aspect of this attraction is the element of movement.
The writer became properly aware of the Stephenson Society and its museum comparatively recently. He visited it even more recently as a result of the opportunities afforded by the now annual Heritage Open Days. The museum is in South Street, behind Central Station, and is a cultural, historic and educational asset which should be much more widely publicised. Instead it seems to be one of the better kept secrets of the city.
What was to be found was a fascinating display. This is housed in one of the original buildings of what had at one time been the great Stephenson Railway Works. This is clearly an historically important and interesting collection of original nineteenth century material. The museum is managed by the Stephenson Society and it has a wealth of pictures and documents that are well displayed and of great interest. The Society is not the owner of the building and its finances are clearly stretched. Apart from its 'academic' value to the historian, the museum is the basis of something which could and should be developed to the benefit of the city, its economy and its inhabitants.
Here we have the centre from which all the railways of the world developed. George Stephenson was among a small number of men employed at individual mines to develop mechanical engines with the power to move coal from the pits to the ports. He was the first to examine critically the machines in use at a number of pits. From his observations he developed superior versions. With his son Robert he was the first to set up a new business building these engines commercially. This was unlike anything that had been done before. Before his time the collieries employed engineers who could 'knock up' engines which would serve the limited requirements of the colliery for which they worked. He began to market steam engines not only for the pits but also for an increasing number of railways both in this country and abroad. Within less than twenty years these products were being exported across the world.
Newcastle thus has the pre-eminent claim to be the most important historical site in railway history and should have a more extensive and more interactive centre that reflects its importance. This should be recognized as something with the capacity to enhance the city for visitors and inhabitants.
The redevelopment of this historic but, in parts, badly run down and unprepossessing industrial central area of Newcastle, between the station and the Tyne, also includes earlier historic features which should not only be protected but highlighted for the public. The whole area should be developed in such a way as positively to celebrate this most important part of the city's history. It should include mobile features that will heighten interest in it. The bold scheme recently announced to redevelop this entire area, introducing new buildings, uses and activities, removing much of what might be called temporary structures should not only bring back more life to this part of the city, but also emphasise its history.
The development of the railway system of this country and beyond is one, if not the most singular, of the achievements born in the city. In this area is housed so much history of which many people within the city will be unaware. A comparison can be made with Bristol where the legacy of Brunel is well exploited. Newcastle should look long and hard to decide how more can be made of this asset, safeguarded for it by the Stephenson Society, for residents and visitors.
Having moving features has been mentioned. Railways are about movement and one of the ways in which the understanding of how things work can be heightened is by showing them moving. This is not to suggest that the museum should be turned into a popular funfair, or that things which are not appropriate should be introduced. Movement would bring the exhibits to life and make the experience better understood, more enjoyable and more memorable. It is recognised that only a small portion of the original works of the nineteenth century now remain and that means for the purist there is a difficult choice about where you present elements in the ‘wrong’ place. These decisions can be explained and, surely, we would all want to see things in the wrong place rather than not at all, if that is the choice. It is understood that the developers are aware of the benefits for this area of its ‘Stephenson history’. We hope that the Stephenson Museum can become the historic centre which proclaims to the world the unique contribution of the Stephensons and of Newcastle and its surroundings to the development of heavy engineering since the early nineteenth century.
City and County
February 2008
