We have now reached September, the month of the 200th anniversary of the railway that got the world on track, writes John Raw.
In September 1825, the Industrial Revolution reached this sleepy backwaters of South West Durham, and the land – and the world – was never the same again.
Now an update in chronological order of some of the events going off in the beginning of September.
Firstly there will be four events going off all through the month:
- There is the continuing exhibition at The Story in Mount Oswald, Durham City;
- Fuelling the Railway Revolution in the Mining Museum in Bishop Auckland, Wednesdays to Sundays each week from 10am;
- Coals, Canals and Carriages, the story of Raby and the Railways at Raby Castle;
- Steam into the Future at Hopetown in Darlington.
- For music lovers, The Last Train Home Express 25 will be performed in Hopetown. For more information you are invited to vist www.tracksdarlington.co.uk/
On 5 September from 7pm at the Curlew Cafe in Toft Hill, The Shanty/Rail Singers and Sam Slatcher will be performing their songs Along the Line.
Tickets including a three course meal are £26, or alternatively to simply attend it’s £10.
Earlier this day a free tour of North Road Works will be taking place at Hopetown from 10am.
At around 1.30pm, the 26-mile walkers from Witton Park, having walked from Witton Park, should be drinking a pint in the Sun Inn on Stockton High Street. If you are in the area you are invited to join us.
On Saturday 6th, I would draw your attention to four events that Friends of S&DR will be displaying as part of Heighington Village Show on the village green from noon.
At 10am there will be an open event at the G5 project in Hackworth Industrial Park, New Shildon to see the work in progress on this build. For more information, visit www.g5locomotiveltd.co.uk/
In the afternoon the film Passion for Steam, documenting the 1975 steam cavalcade, will be shown in the former Sunday School Rooms on Soho Street in New Shildon. Doors open at 1.30pm for showing at 2pm.
Fourthly, there will be a free Open Day viewing the progress being made on the P2 No 2007 Prince of Wales at Darlington Locomotive Works.
In addition to these events, there numerous events taking place every day at Locomotion in New Shildon. Do search their social media.
John Raw is Honorary Secretary of the Brusselton Incline Group.
John Raw
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
