a market town in the Bishop Auckland parliamentary division of Durham, England, 9 m. N.W. from Darlington by a branch of the North Eastern railway. Pop. of urban district of Shildon and East Thickley (1901) 11,759. At New Shildon or East Thickley are extensive railway engine and wagon works belonging to the railway company. A large coal traffic is handled here, as there are collieries and foundries in the vicinity.