A "mechanical beast" that comes to life every day
Category: Video reporting, PEGI 0+
Today, 05:35
The Stockton Flyer is a metal automaton sculpture installed in 2016 in the center of Stockton-on-Tees in northern England.
It represents a fantastical mechanical creature, reminiscent of a steam locomotive-insect hybrid, crafted in a steampunk style. It was created by British artist Robert Knight, known for his kinetic installations. The sculpture's unique feature is that it "comes to life" every day at midday: steam rises from its parts, whistles sound, and mechanical sounds imitate the workings of a vintage steam engine. The structure stands approximately seven meters tall and is inspired by Stockton's engineering history—it was from here, in 1825, that George Stephenson launched the world's first passenger steam locomotive.
