Darlington MP vows to clean up historic Brick Train sculpture after vandalism

Darlington’s MP has pledged to clean up the town’s Brick Train sculpture after a spate of vandalism.

Labour’s Lola McEvoy teamed up with Darlington Borough Council to improve the site, near Morton Park, after recent public concerns.

The sculpture was unveiled in 1997 as a striking tribute to the town’s proud railway heritage, but has since been targeted by vandals and fly-tipping. A lack of signage surrounding the site has also been criticised for failing to attract visitors.

“To see it in such poor condition was heartbreaking – but I’m thrilled to see great progress now being made to restore it in time for such a significant moment in our town’s history,” the MP said.

Renovation work to improve the Brick Train will take place over the summer in time for the 200th bicentenary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in September. Improvements include replacing missing bricks, reinstating fencing and signage, landscaping the surrounding area, and creating a long-term maintenance plan.

It is hoped the latest round of works will help deter people from using the site as a dumping ground in the future.

Designed by David Mach, an artist with an international reputation. It was financed largely by the National Lottery and opened with a special ceremony alongside hundreds of Darlington schoolchildren. Supermarket retailer Morrisons maintained the site until the land was sold in 2022.

Ms McEvoy added: “I was here at the opening when I was 10 years old, and it was a big deal then. But if you’re trying to find it as a tourist, you would struggle. We need to see more signage. It can’t be this difficult to make it nice.

“It puts the area on the map and the town’s railway heritage really matters. This generation need stories of aspiration, hope, and pride of what we’ve done well in the past.”

Site managers Equation Properties and landowners BGO Logistics will also work with the council and MP to deliverthe improvements.

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The sculpture was unveiled in 1997 at a ceremony with local schoolchildren. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Councillor Libby McCollom, cabinet member for Local Services, added: “The Brick Train is a Darlington icon, and I’m proud of the collaborative effort that’s gone into revitalising this site.

“With 2025 marking 200 years since the world’s first passenger railway journey began here, it’s only right that this sculpture stands proud once again – a testament to our past and a beacon for our future.

“The restoration forms part of a wider celebration of Darlington’s railway heritage, reaffirming the town’s place as the birthplace of the modern railway.”