About the SF
The Stockton Flyer is a striking kinetic sculpture located in the heart of Stockton-on-Tees, England. Unveiled in 2016, the artwork serves as a tribute to the town’s rich industrial heritage and its pivotal role in the development of railways. Standing at over seven meters tall, the Stockton Flyer is inspired by George Stephenson’s pioneering steam locomotives, which first ran on the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825—universally considered the world’s first public railway.
Designed by engineer, Rob Higgs, the sculpture is intended to surprise and delight onlookers, emerging from inside stone plinth with dramatic sound effects and steam at 1 p.m. each day. Its imaginative, whimsical design combines elements of both locomotive and mythical creature, blending history with modern artistry. The Stockton Flyer is more than just a public art piece; it’s a symbol of the town’s inventive spirit and enduring connection to the evolution of transportation.
Rob Higgs
Rob Higgs is a mechanical sculptor, automata maker and inventor. Based in Penryn in Cornwall, he designs and creates mechanical sculptures, contraptions and eccentric machines, using salvaged materials found in old farmsteads, boatyards and scrapheaps. Rob’s extensive list of clients include, the Science Museum, the Eden Project, the Sultan of Brunei, the BBC, Warner Bros, Fatboy Slim, Stephen Fry, Heston Blumenthal, schools, parks, theatre groups, charities and, of course, Stockton Borough Council, who commissioned the building of the Stockton Flyer in 2013.
