Index of articles

The Writing of John Glass - John Glass was Shildon Railway Institute's lonest serving President, having been present at the inauguration meeting in the cellar of The Globe Inn in 1833 and serving as president twice  - once between 1861 and 1863, and then a second time between 1867 and 1884.  When he died in December 1884 Glass was thought to be the oldest living railway employee in the world having been involved from the early days of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.  Glass wrote some pamphlets connected to the area's industry and notable figures, of which we feature two transcripts here.. 

The Shildon Railway Institute Centenary Book 1933. In this year the Institute celebrated its centenary with a number of events including an exhibition of railway stock and the unveiling of a plaque within the building by the LNER's Assistant Chief Mechanical Engineer, Mr A C Stamer Esq. As part of the commomorations a centenary book was compiled by Councillor F F Bainbridge JP and published for distribution. Not being produced in gread numbers, a few rare copies have survived the ravages of time; and we have digitised one presented here for you to enjoy.

The Shildon Railway Institute Half Yearly Report Book 1855-1892. A romp through the early years of the Railway Institute following its progress after the period where it began to inhabit its first reading room at the Masons' Arms and on to its first dedicated building on Station Street. Read about the challenges faced by the organisation throughout economically uncertain times, and the triumphs as it celebrated milestones. This document is packed with information that would interest rail and social historians alike.