Dig planned at Heighington to uncover possible world’s oldest railway platform

Preparations are under way for an archaeological dig at a County Durham railway station that could uncover what is thought to be the oldest surviving train platform in the world.

Heighington Station, which dates back to 1827 and formed part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway — the first passenger railway to use steam locomotives — was acquired last year by the charity Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The group believes a small platform near the station building may date from the line’s earliest days.

The charity’s chair, Niall Hammond, said plans are being developed to excavate the structure, which sits alongside the station. He explained that it is believed to be the original platform serving the building, based on its dimensions and layout.

Although the project remains at an early stage, Hammond said the charity hopes to attract a large number of volunteers to take part in the dig during the summer months. He described the platform as very small, noting that it appears to be surfaced with cobbles.

According to Hammond, one of the aims of the excavation will be to find material evidence that can confirm the platform’s age. He said discovering a Georgian penny at the base of the structure would help establish that it dates back to the 1820s.

The charity completed the purchase of the station building in September after raising £285,000 through a fundraising campaign. Longer-term plans include restoring the site and opening it up to visitors.

Niall Hammond said:

"We want to refurbish it so that it feels like it's 1827 again. Staff will be in appropriate clothes and costumes - it'll be candle lit and the decor will be 1827."

He estimated the full restoration would cost around £3m, adding that much of the coming year is expected to be spent applying for grants to fund the work.

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