DARLINGTON.- STEAM to the Future is the second of two S&DR200 festival exhibitions taking place at Hopetown Darlington this year. This exciting installation explores the transformative power of steam travel and celebrates the brilliant minds behind its groundbreaking innovations. The exhibition is presented in partnership with LNER, Hitachi, Cummins, and Network Rail — industry leaders united in their commitment to shaping the future of rail. Together, they are championing innovation and progress across the sector.

Following the success of Railway Pioneers: Celebrating the Railway Rockstars of the Past, this family-friendly exhibition transports visitors into the present and beyond.

S&DR200 has commissioned an immersive installation by A.A. Murakami (also known as Studio Swine), inspired by steam as the original source of locomotive power. Known for exhibiting at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy of Arts in London, M+ Museum in Hong Kong, and the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris, this marks their first project in the North East.

Focusing on the invisible forces at play, the exhibition offers a visual insight into the wonders of steam. Naturally chaotic and randomly dispersed, steam is harnessed in this installation—just as it was by vintage locomotives—into structured rings that move toward the horizon, transforming disorder into captivating, ordered motion.

STEAM to the Future is a playful and thought-provoking experience that explores what’s here, what’s coming, and invites visitors of all ages to imagine and create the locomotive of the future.

The exhibition will be complemented by other exciting 200th anniversary celebrations, including a locomotive line-up and the highly anticipated Anniversary Journey, both taking place in September.

Niccy Hallifax, Director of S&DR200, said: “We’re excited to present an immersive and imaginative glimpse into the pioneering work shaping the future of our railways. ‘STEAM to the Future’ celebrates the next great railway revolution—driven by green technologies and innovation happening right here in Tees Valley and County Durham. Through interactive technology and immersive art, the exhibition invites visitors to explore what lies ahead for travel and transport. It’s a dynamic experience with something to inspire everyone.”

A.A. Murakami added: “This exhibition marks two centuries since the steam train first redrew the map of time and distance. Our work channels that original momentum—mechanical, cultural, and philosophical—into a contemplative landscape of swirling vapour and shifting light. It’s a tribute to British engineering as much as to nature itself, reminding us that progress is not only about power and speed, but also imagination, reflection, and awe.”