Description

Heighington Station was commissioned by the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1826. It is recognised as the earliest railway station in the world and is known to be the place where Locomotion No.1 was first placed on the rails in 1825 and where its boiler exploded in 1828. I am the artisan pen maker Andrew Simmons and am also the Great Great Great Grandson of John Falcus Carter the stonemason who designed and oversaw the building of Heighington Station. Because the Grade II* listed building is now officially recognised as ‘at risk’ the charity, ‘The Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway’ are seeking to purchase the property through a fund raising appeal. They need to raise £100,000 in order to qualify for the significant extra funds needed. I have therefore designed and produced a range of pens specifically to assist. I am donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of these pens to the appeal. The pens are called ‘Locomotion’ and there are currently two designs, The Engineer’s pen and the Director’s pen. Look out for more designs coming soon using historic timber from railway locations.