Collections Policy

The Trust has agreed an Acquisition and Disposal Policy whereby its acquisitions would comprise:

1.  Material which enables the study of steam locomotive and railway development from the origins of railways in the early 19th Century up to the death of Robert Stephenson in 1859.

2.  Material related to the development of the Robert Stephenson & Co's works, its successors and associated companies along with their products.

3.  Material related to Robert Stephenson's other engineering activities as well as to his life in general and those of his relevant contemporaries.

4.  Material related to social and economic aspects with a bearing on this period.

The collection will embrace books, papers, letters, plans, drawings, paintings, maps and photographic items as well as relevant artefacts suitable for appropriate conservation and display at the Trust's premises.

The opportunity will be taken to enhance the collection by either seeking copies of relevant documents held by other organisations or by their acquisition. Efforts will be made to seek loans of relevant items and/or collections for display as appropriate.

The Trust will identify all items in its ownership which are to be regarded as 'inalienable' and thus precluded from sale under all circumstances, including the Trust's dissolution. Such items will not form part of the Trust's assets in the balance sheet.

The Trust intends to make clear to any potential donor of gifts for the Trust's collections whether the gift in question is to be regarded as inalienable. This decision will be taken by the Board of Trustees in each instance.