27 September 2024 marks the 199th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), but organisers are already looking ahead to next year’s landmark bicentenary of the railway that got the world on track.
To mark next year’s milestone, a nine-monthlong festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway will take place across County Durham and Tees Valley, inspired by the inaugural journey of the S&DR, which departed Shildon on this day 199 years ago.
Running from March to November 2025, the festival will celebrate the region’s pioneering past and look forward to its future with a series of free, large-scale outdoor events, exhibitions, and new art commissions in public spaces, libraries, and world-class museums. Shildon will be at the forefront of the celebrations, with activities taking place throughout the festival period, including a re-enactment of the first journey on the S&DR, taking place on 26, 27 and 28 September 2025.
A newly renovated replica of Locomotion No. 1, the passenger carriage Experiment and coal waggons will run on sections of the original S&DR line over three days.
Spectators will be able to see the train at designated locations and enjoy an accompanying programme of special events organised along the route over the three days.
As well as the re-enactment, Shildon’s Locomotion museum will host:
- An exhibition of Railway Firsts in recognition of the innovation of 200 years of railways.
- The Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition.
- Three line-ups of iconic locomotives and rail vehicles that will speak to 200 years of railway history.
- Talks and lectures aimed at railway enthusiasts.
- Events and programming exploring the future of transport and skills from March to September 2025 which will complement an exhibition at Hopetown Darlington looking at the same theme and activities for families and adults every weekend and throughout the school holidays.
The full programme for the international S&DR200 Festival, as well as an update on Railway 200, were announced at the Darlington Hippodrome last week and can be explored in full on the festival’s website at sdr200.co.uk.
S&DR200 is a major partner of Railway 200, a year-long campaign celebrating 200 years of rail travel.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
