Locomotion Museum, Shildon

AV INSTALLED

Beetronics touch-screen displays

BrightSign media players

Molitor VIA audio handsets

​​​​​​​Audio visual case study​​​​​​​

As part of the Science Museum Group, Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham, is home to one of the most significant collections of railway vehicles in the country. Situated in the world’s first railway town, the museum invites visitors to explore their unique collection and uncover the remarkable story of how the railways transformed society.

Locomotion museum, shildon

To do

To further enhance the visitor experience, Locomotion sought to upgrade its interactive exhibits aiming to create a more engaging and accessible way for visitors to connect with its displays.

The new AV system needed to integrate seamlessly with the bespoke exhibition stands already in place, while also prioritising accessibility to ensure interpretation remained inclusive and engaging for all visitors.

GVAV were appointed to deliver a modern, reliable solution that brings the museum’s stories to life while making railway heritage engaging, educational, and accessible for every visitor.

Eight new interactive exhibit stands were delivered by GVAV, each designed to provide visitors with an engaging and accessible experience. The stands combined bespoke exhibition furniture supplied by the client with Beetronics touch screens, BrightSign media players, and Molitor VIA handsets with integrated induction loop amplifiers on selected units. Together, these technologies form a cohesive, user-friendly system that enhances visitor experience, supports inclusivity and ensures reliable operation within the busy museum environment.

New interactive exhibits at Locomotion Shildon

To do

Each of the eight exhibit stands feature high-performance Beetronics touch screens, comprising seven 15.6” (15TS7M) and one 13” (13TS7M) models. Designed for continuous public use, these full HD displays deliver outstanding picture quality with high-definition images, vivid colour reproduction and excellent 178° viewing angles for optimal visibility.

The capacitive multi-touch panels support up to ten simultaneous touch points, providing smooth and responsive interaction for users. Fully compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux devices, the screens are simple to integrate and reliable under heavy daily use, making them the right solution for this high-traffic museum environment.

GVAV installed a combination of BrightSign Media Players to provide content to the screens, each paired with a Dual Antenna Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Module (WD105).

Beetronics display at Locomotion Shildon

Purpose-built for digital engagement, these signage players deliver responsive 4K60p HDR10 playback, while supporting HTML5 animations and interactive content. Their versatile connectivity allows for seamless control of touch screens, sensors and buttons, essential for creating immersive, tactile visitor experiences

To ensure the exhibits are accessible to all, three of the eight stands include Molitor VIA handsets with integrated induction loop amplifiers designed to deliver clear audio for hearing-impaired visitors. The loop amplifier converts sound signals into an electromagnetic field that can be received by telecoils within most hearing aids and cochlear implants, ensuring crisp, interference-free sound with minimal background noise.

The handsets provide accessible, intuitive playback that begins automatically when lifted from the magnetic base and stops when returned, while a flexible stainless-steel tube protects the cabling for longevity in daily public use.

To do

The integration of the new AV technology brings another dimension to Locomotion’s exhibition spaces, creating an engaging, accessible and user-friendly experience that enhances visitor interaction throughout the museum.

Blending vivid visuals with intuitive touch and inclusive audio features, the new system immerses visitors in the rich history of railway heritage while offering durable, easy-to-use functionality. The result is a reliable solution that supports seamless daily operation and offers the flexibility to evolve with future content updates. GVAV were proud to have worked on this unique project, delivering a bespoke, future-ready AV solution that brings the stories of the world’s first railway town vividly to life.

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