A piece of industrial history will take centre stage as part of this year's Heritage Open Days in Stourbridge. A free event at the General Office on Hagley Road will celebrate the legacy of The Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run in America, which was built in Stourbridge nearly 200 years ago.
Event details and activities
Taking place on Saturday, September 12, the event will feature family activities, a walking tour and a short film about the locomotive, all running from 10am to 2pm. Highlights include a family printmaking workshop and a display of the Stourbridge Lion 2029 project, which looks ahead to the 200th anniversary of the rail locomotive.
The Heritage Open Days scheme runs nationally from September 11 to 20, giving people the chance to explore historic sites and cultural events for free. This year's Stourbridge event is part of the wider programme that opens up heritage venues across the country.
Project support and community engagement
Simon Meddings, director of Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC (community interest company), said: "The support for this project has been unwavering from the outset. All partners have committed to the initiative, generously providing services and materials that have been essential in helping us achieve our objectives."
Meddings added: "We are especially grateful to the local engineering and manufacturing industry whose financial support has played a vital role in enabling us to engage with schools and deliver the education programme. Their engagement has significantly strengthened the project's impact and reach within the community."
Historical significance and future plans
The Stourbridge Lion was built at the Foster Rastrick & Company foundry, now the site of the Lion Health Medical Centre. It holds a unique place in history as the first locomotive to operate on American soil.
Future plans include building a new working model using modern lightweight materials and propulsion technology. Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC is looking for support from additional businesses to help fund educational activities or contribute to the construction of the 'New Lion' locomotive.
