Mr Q’s community work continued at the Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum on Saturday.

The visit was arranged as part of Stockton to Darlington Railway’s 195th Anniversary on September 27th, and also to allow Mr Q to offer help and support to the ongoing campaign to keep the famous and historic Locomotion engine at the Head of Steam Museum.

The visit was arranged on Thursday when Mr Q contacted Darlington MP Peter Gibson.

Mr Q said: “I wanted to get involved in helping keep the Locomotion at the North Road Museum, when I learned that there was a strong possibility that it may be moved to another venue. This engine is part of Darlington’s history and culture -- it has put the town firmly on the historic map of the UK with its contribution to the Industrial Revolution and to the development of steam engines in commercial and public transport. Darlington was a major player in developing and manufacturing trains, as well as railway rolling stock and engineering.

“During Darlington FC’s history, we must have had thousands of railway staff pass through our turnstiles. We all know of people within this town who worked on the railways, including people within the Mr Q family. This engine is part of our heritage and on our club badge.

“When I learned about this issue in February I wanted to get involved on behalf of our club and supporters but the Covid lockdown put the brakes on the idea, but this week as it is the anniversary of the railway, the museum re-opening, and after speaking to town mayor Chris McEwan at another community event last Sunday,  I then contacted Mr Gibson whom I met earlier this year when he attended a match at Blackwell Meadows”.

Mr Gibson said; “It’s not every day that I get a phone call from Mr Q but Thursday was that day”. He then arranged with the Head of Steam for Mr Q to make a visit just before the museum opened to the public, along with Mr. Q’s PA Joanne Cameron and Kelly Reese, Darlington Borough Council’s event officer. During the meeting Mr Q confirmed to everybody that he is willing to do whatever is necessary to help save the engine from leaving Darlington.

Mr Q asks all fans to take a moment and complete the online petition and also visit the facility where the petition can also be signed. The museum also has a booking system in operation, to allow all visitors to be in a safe and secure environment during this pandemic. Mr Q said; “The museum is a great place to visit -- it provides great education and an insight into what Darlington contributed to the railways. It's full of factual information, historic objects and apart from being a pleasant day out, it's a great place for any youngster to work on any school projects”. 

Please follow social media updates on other ways to help Mr Q, and help the museum remain the home of the Locomotion engine for centuries to come.

https://www.head-of-steam.co.uk/

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/save-our-loco/