Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Commemorative mantel clock

Farmers Stockton & Darlington Railway clock

Partially verified

The Science Museum Group records this wooden clock as made by Thomas Farmer in Stockton-on-Tees to commemorate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825. Built in an unidentified wood case measuring 677 mm high by 430 mm wide, the upper portion holds a circular dial with Roman numerals, two winding apertures, and two hands. Below the dial, the case is fashioned as a model railway carriage featuring three windowed panels with patterned backing and carved spoked carriage wheels resting on a plinth.

Front view of Thomas Farmer's Stockton & Darlington Railway commemorative clock
Front view of Thomas Farmer's Stockton & Darlington Railway commemorative clock — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Clock · Commemorative mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Farmer
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1975-7533
Source-reported date
1825
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Commemorative Context

The Science Museum Group records this object as a clock made by Thomas Farmer of Stockton-on-Tees to commemorate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825.

Catalogued under object number 1975-7533 in the category of Railway Timepieces, the clock's credit line is listed as British Rail, Historical Relics.

Evidence for this section
  • “Clock, made by Thomas Farmer of Stockton on Tees to commemorate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, 27th September 1825”
  • “credit: British Rail, Historical Relics”
  • “Category: Railway Timepieces”

Case Architecture and Construction

Museum records list the materials as unidentified wood, glass, brass (copper, zinc alloy), and unknown white metal, with overall dimensions of 677 mm in height, 430 mm in width, and 220 mm in depth. The description notes a wooden case mounted on a model wooden railway carriage.

Visual observations record that the middle section resembles a three-compartment carriage body with arched decorative openings displaying geometric patterns. Below, the carriage framework features spoked wheels resting on a stepped wooden plinth with turned bun feet, as well as side handles or buffer extensions protruding from the base of the carriage compartment level.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: wood (unidentified) , glass , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and white metal (unknown)”
  • “overall: 677 mm x 430 mm x 220 mm”
  • “round Roman face, wooden case, mounted on model wooden railway carriage”
  • “Middle section of the case resembles a three-compartment carriage body with arched decorative openings showing geometric patterns.”
  • “Lower carriage framework features spoked wheels resting on a stepped wooden plinth with turned bun feet.”
  • “Side handles or buffer extensions protrude from the base of the carriage compartment level.”

Dial and Visual Indicators

The timepiece has a round dial face marked with Roman numerals, enclosed within a circular moulded wooden bezel. Inscriptions on the dial face read 'FARMER' above the arbor and 'STOCKTON ON TEES' below.

Two winding apertures are visible in the lower portion of the dial. Internal movement details, train functions, and escapement type are not documented in the provided source record.

Evidence for this section
  • “round Roman face, wooden case, mounted on model wooden railway carriage”
  • “Circular moulded wooden bezel enclosing a light-coloured dial with Roman numeral hour markers.”
  • “Dial is inscribed with text reading 'FARMER' above the arbor and 'STOCKTON ON TEES' below.”
  • “Two winding apertures set into the lower portion of the dial face.”

Open research questions

  • What internal movement type and escapement are fitted inside the clock head?
  • What striking or chiming mechanism, if any, is driven by the two winding arbors?
  • What specific wood species was utilized in constructing the case and model carriage?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Farmers Stockton & Darlington Railway clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Farmer“maker: Thomas Farmer”
Date1825“Made: 1825 in Stockton-on-Tees”
Object Number1975-7533“Object Number: 1975-7533”
Event CommemoratedOpening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, 27 September 1825“commemorate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, 27th September 1825”
Dimensions677 mm x 430 mm x 220 mm“overall: 677 mm x 430 mm x 220 mm”
MaterialsWood (unidentified), glass, brass, and white metal“Materials: wood (unidentified) , glass , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and white metal (unknown)”
Museum LocationNational Railway Museum: Open Store“On display National Railway Museum: Open Store”
Acquisition CreditBritish Rail, Historical Relics“credit: British Rail, Historical Relics”

Visible details

  • Circular moulded wooden bezel enclosing a light-coloured dial with Roman numeral hour markers.
  • Two winding apertures set into the lower portion of the dial face.
  • Dial is inscribed with text reading 'FARMER' above the arbor and 'STOCKTON ON TEES' below.
  • Middle section of the case resembles a three-compartment carriage body with arched decorative openings showing geometric patterns.
  • Lower carriage framework features spoked wheels resting on a stepped wooden plinth with turned bun feet.
  • Side handles or buffer extensions protrude from the base of the carriage compartment level.

Research qualifications

  • Movement type, escapement, and internal mechanical condition are not documented in the museum record.
  • The specific wood species of the case is listed as unidentified by the museum.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Farmers Stockton & Darlington Railway clock | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8e0f17e7f1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.