We are now running up to the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, writes John Raw.
The world’s first modern railway – the railway that got the world on track, started here, locally.
‘Without coal, there would not be rail’ is a statement l have heard a lot recently. Just how true a statement this is, I will leave to you the reader to consider.
It is certainly true that William Chaytor, the owner of the coal fields of Witton Castle, was very keen to have his vast supplies reach their markets locally and that Edward Pease, owner of a large woollen mill in Darlington and the merchants of Stockton/Yarm were equally keen to purchase coal. The idea of a cheap, reliable means of supply was high on both party’s agenda.
Simultaneously, great strides in the Industrial Revolution were moving a pace around Tyneside, particularly the Wylam, Willington Quay areas.
So now let’s look at events taking place to celebrate in the local area.
New information boards have recently been erected by Durham County Council in St Helen Auckland at the rear of the original line.
Fresh coats of paint have recently been applied to structures around the former Mason’s Arms pub in New Shildon.
On Friday 29 August, Queen Victoria’s Consort, a musical ensemble specialising in 19th-century brass music, will play the music from the opening day of the railway. The event is free and runs from 11am – 3pm.
The cab access into the Flying Scotsman will be repeated and indeed continue until the 31 August. This free activity requires booking.
On Saturday 30 August, Queen Victoria’s Consort will be playing once again this time in Hopetown, Darlington.
All during this time, the display ‘Fuelling the Railway Revolution’ will be taking place from Wednesday 27 August until Sunday 31 August in the Mining Museum, Market Place, Bishop Auckand. Entry is from 10am with a Discovery day ticket priced at £8.00 for adults and £5.00 for children.
On 31 August, Queen Victoria’s Consort will be taking to stage once again in Locomotion – free but booking required.
To mark the 200th anniversary, a free guided walk along the whole track bed, will be setting off from New Inn crossroads, Witton Park and over the first five days of September will be walking the whole length of the line.
The first part of this walk will be on Monday 1 September, walking from the start point as far as New Shildon.
This event is free to join and will invole approximately five miles walking on each day.
To enquire about any of these events, please email: jraw2883[@]aol[.]com.
Running until 6 September, a display by Teesdale Railway History Group can be seen at The Witham in Barnard Castle.
Entry is free from 10.00am each day excluding Sunday and Monday.
John Raw
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
