From Friday 26 September, a replica Locomotion No.1, complete with carriage and wagons, will start a three day journey, writes John Raw.
On the Friday it will depart Locomotion in Shildon and travel through Newton Aycliffe and Heighington Stations to North Road.
On Saturday 27th, the 200th anniversary, the engine will be going over Skerne Bridge in Darlington.
On Sunday it will be along the line around stations in the east, including Allen’s West and Eaglesscliffe.
Back to the 26th and a plaque commemorating the first journey will be unveiled at the Masons Arms Crossing at New Shildon.
Meanwhile, Locomotion will be hosting the Inspiration Train exhibition and Mad Alice Theatre from 10am until 5pm, while Coal and Railways in the Gaunless Valley will be exhibiting in the Randolph Community Centre in Evenwood.
Also on Saturday 27th walkers will set off from New Inn Crossroads in Witton Park at 7am, just as they did 200 years ago.
Walking in relay, the walkers will arrive into Stockton High Street to be greeted by the Mayor and the leader of Stockton Borough Council, and a two hour bell peal, after their 26 miles of adventure.
Finally l would mention just two events on Sunday 28th: Readings from the Write on Track S&DR Bicentenary Writing competition, which was inspired by people who live along the S&DR. Judging this was extremely hard. This will be going off in The Waiting Room Restaurant /bar Eaglesciffe TS16 0BU, hooked on history.
More locally, a free child-friendly exhibition will be taking place in the Methodist Church, Low Queen Street, Witton Park from 12.30pm.
The display will include maps of early railways in the area and model engines.
This then is just a sample of the 40 or so events taking place over this special weekend.
Come and join in, you never know you, might end up like me, hooked on history!
For any queries, l invite you to contact me on jraw2883[@]aol[.]com.
John Raw is Honorary Secretary of the Brusselton Incline Group.
John Raw
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
