TRANSPORT
TRACKS
OF TIME
AV Dawson- started with a horse and cart.
The port that built a town, the railway that built a region
As the Stockton & Darlington Railway marks its 200th anniversary, it’ s the perfect time to celebrate the powerful legacy of progress and innovation that this groundbreaking railway set in motion, especially in Middlesbrough, the town it helped create.
The story of Port of Middlesbrough, proudly owned and operated by AV Dawson, is deeply intertwined with the Stockton & Darlington Railway. In 1830, a pivotal moment occurred when the railway was extended to a brand-new coal staiths at Port Darlington – making it the actual birthplace of modern Middlesbrough.
Built by rail engineer Timothy Hackworth, the line was extended into Middlesbrough, which then grew from a tiny hamlet of only 25 people.
Today, Port Darlington is known as the Port of Middlesbrough and is not only a modern multimodal logistics hub, but it also stands as a living legacy of the innovations sparked by the Stockton & Darlington Railway two centuries ago.
As we honour 200 years since that first train journey in 1825, the port remains a proud symbol of Middlesbrough’ s enduring spirit of industry and innovation.
Timeline of transformation: Powered by progress This rich timeline showcases how the port and railway forged unbreakable links of growth, resilience and innovation...
1800s-1825: Middlesbrough was little more than farmland until the industrial revolution began to shift the landscape.
1830-1831: Coal from the Durham coalfields was exported via Port Darlington – soon after renamed Port of Middlesbrough – transforming it into a vital industrial hub.
1850s-1880s: Iron, steel and engineering took hold and the port became essential for exporting Cleveland ironstone and steel across the globe.
1911: The iconic Tees Transporter Bridge opened, enhancing port connectivity.
World Wars( 1914-18 and 1939-45): The port played a critical role in wartime logistics, including shipbuilding and steel exports.
1973-1990s: AV Dawson acquired the site and invested heavily, ushering in a new era of commercial expansion.
2020s: After a period operating under different brand names, the site was rebranded back to Port of Middlesbrough, continuing its legacy of service, sustainability and investment in the community.
History – AV Dawson’ s Port of Middlesbrough is almost 200 years old and can lay claim to being the birthplace of modern Middlesbrough.
Company’ s proud claim to town foundation title Today, AV Dawson’ s headquarters, The Staiths, stands proudly on the bank of the River Tees on the very site of the original coal staiths, where coal from industrial areas such as Shildon was once loaded onto railway wagons for export.
To honour this heritage, the business commissioned an artist to create a mural in memory of the late Timothy Hackworth, celebrating his contributions to the Stockton & Darlington Railway and helping to educate local people about his life and achievements.
Charlie Nettle, AV Dawson’ s group managing director, said:“ We wanted to commemorate this great story and showcase the history and rail heritage of the Port of Middlesbrough. This site underpinned the economic development
30 | Tees Business