Soho Works

1833. Rules.

1848.

1850. Plan of works.

1923. Hackworth's erecting shop at Shildon.

Timothy Hackworth's Soho Works at New Shildon.

1833 Timothy Hackworth entered into a new contract with the Stockton and Darlington Railway in which he became responsible for the working of the locomotives and workshops but remained free to operate his own business as a builder of locomotives and stationary engines. He opened new workshops, foundry and built houses for workers. The business was conducted from new workshops at New Shildon, where locomotive, marine, and industrial engines and boilers were built. He placed his brother Thomas in charge along with Nicholas Downing and the business was initially called Hackworth and Downing and built locomotive, marine, and industrial engines and boilers. This was known as the Phoenix Iron Works.

1838 Downing left the partnership.

1839 Sale Notice: 'TO IRON FOUNDERS, AND ENGINE BUILDERS. A DESIRABLE INVESTMENT.:
TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE CONTRACT, ALL that extensive FREEHOLD IRON FOUNDRY, with a Fitting Shop, a Pattern and Smith's Shop, a Boiler Smith's Shade, and a Shade for erecting Locomotive Steam Engines, eligibly situated at Soho, in New Shildon, near Darlington, in the County of Durham, now in the Occupation of Messrs Thomas Hackworth and Co. where an extensive Business has been carried on for several Years, ...... There is a powerful Steam Engine on the Premises, with a plentiful Supply of Water, 2 excellent Cranes, 2 spacious Stoves, with Cast Iron Floors; a large Pit, Tub'd with Cast Iron, perfectly dry, for Casting Steam Engine Cylinders; 8 large Cupolas, a good Fan Blast, driven by the Steam Engine is a powerful Boring Mill, capable of boring a Cylinder of 7 Feet Diameter; it is also a complete self-acting Lathe, and other small Lathes, a Plaining, Drilling, and a Screwing Machine, with other requisite Machinery, &c. To be taken at Valuation, with the Stock in Trade. Also, 2 new substantial and convenient DWELLING-HOUSES, with Offices attached, a suitable Residence a for a Principal, or Manager of the Works, with Six COTTAGE HOUSES. The Whole standing upon two Acres of Land. .... For Reference apply to Mr Timothy Hackworth, of New Shildon, near Darlington; if by Letter, Post-paid.'

1839 Thomas Hackworth moved to Stockton where he set up in business with George Fossick as Fossick and Hackworth to build locomotives and carriages. They bought premises from Jacob Waller in Norton Road that had previously been used as a flour and saw mill.

1840 Timothy Hackworth gave up his contract with the Stockton and Darlington Railway and concentrated on the Soho works at Shildon which he took over from Thomas. Timothy fulfilled contracts for the Clarence Railway and various collieries and also built stationary marine and industrial engines.

1850 Shortly after the death of Timothy, the Soho Works became untenanted and remained so for 5 years

1855 the Stockton and Darlington Railway bought the Soho Works to become part of its Shildon and Darlington Works.

1863 the railway company became part of the North Eastern Railway (UK). Ten more locomotives were built between 1863 and 1867 but generally the work was transferred to Darlington

1871 all locomotive work ceased.

1883 the Soho Works closed, but the remainder of the Shildon Works remained a major centre for wagon building and repairs.

See Also

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