The works by William Powell Frith will feature at Preston Park Museum in Stockton as part of a landmark exhibition opening on September 13.
The pieces on display are The Railway Station, Life at the Seaside (Ramsgate Sands) and Derby Day.
Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, said: “Preston Park Museum will be showcasing a range of exhibitions in the museum’s new exhibition space throughout 2025, all looking at the stories of the railways.
“We’re honoured and thrilled that these three historic paintings, which allow visitors to explore the impact and legacy of the birth of modern railways, have been secured for this important celebration and will be displayed for the first time together in our state-of-the-art extension.
“Exhibiting nationally significant works of art like these is possible because the new Spence Building has been specifically designed to host national and touring exhibitions.
“We’re proud that this iconic set of paintings will be one of the first exhibitions residents and visitors will be able to enjoy, without the cost of travelling far and wide to enjoy different cultural experiences.”
The exhibition, titled Gateway to the World, is part of the S&DR200 festival, a year-long celebration marking 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
The three paintings, never before shown together or exhibited in the North East, are on loan from national collections.
Ramsgate Sands and The Railway Station have been lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, while Derby Day has been loaned by Manchester City Galleries.
Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 festival director, said: “These three paintings form a powerful panoramic narrative of human movement, transformation, economic growth, innovation and opportunity during the rise of Britain’s Railway Age.
“At the heart of the S&DR200 Festival is the idea that the railways did more than just connect towns and cities – they connected lives.
“This exhibition captures that spirit, reminding us how the Stockton & Darlington Railway sparked a revolution that shaped communities, industries, and the way we experience the world today.”
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The exhibition will run until December 7 and is included in the museum’s general admission.
The museum’s new Spence Building forms part of a wider transformation funded by £20 million secured for Yarm and Eaglescliffe through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The S&DR200 Festival Programme is supported by Arts Council England and Tees Valley Combined Authority in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council, and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
