Full STEAM ahead to the future at Hopetown
An immersive new exhibition opens next month, blending art, tech and engineering to mark 200 years of railway history
A new interactive exhibition will open at Hopetown Darlington this summer as part of the S&DR200 celebrations.
STEAM to the Future, running from July 11 to October 5, will explore the transformative power of steam and the future of rail innovation, marking 200 years since the world’s first passenger railway journey.
The immersive exhibition is the second in a pair of flagship S&DR200 installations at Hopetown and follows Railway Pioneers: Celebrating the Railway Rockstars of the Past.
Presented in partnership with LNER, Hitachi, Cummins, and Network Rail, STEAM to the Future will highlight the pioneering work shaping the future of railways in the North East and beyond.
S&DR200 has commissioned the internationally acclaimed art duo A.A. Murakami (Studio Swine) to create the installation. Known for their work at major global venues including the Royal Academy of Arts and M+ Museum in Hong Kong, this will be their first project in the North East. The artists describe their contribution as “a contemplative landscape of swirling vapour and shifting light.”
“This exhibition marks two centuries since the steam train first redrew the map of time and distance,” said A.A. Murakami. “Our work channels that original momentum -mechanical, cultural, and philosophical - into a contemplative landscape of swirling vapour and shifting light.
“It’s a tribute to British engineering as much as to nature itself, reminding us that progress is not only about power and speed, but also imagination, reflection, and awe.”
Niccy Hallifax, director of S&DR200, added: “We’re excited to present an immersive and imaginative glimpse into the pioneering work shaping the future of our railways. STEAM to the Future celebrates the next great railway revolution - driven by green technologies and innovation happening right here in Tees Valley and County Durham.
“Through interactive technology and immersive art, the exhibition invites visitors to explore what lies ahead for travel and transport.”
The exhibition will be supported by additional S&DR200 anniversary events in September, including a historic locomotive line-up and the Anniversary Journey.
Free tickets for STEAM to the Future are available now at www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/steam, with early booking advised.