This September will see the 200th Anniversary of Stockton and Darlington Railway; the first modern railway, that we would recognise, the railway that got the world on track, writes John Raw.
This momentous event is being celebrated far and wide in dozens of ways, from decorated peg dolls to the recent issue S&DR coins by the Royal Mint.
The title Stockton and Darlington Railway can, even to locals, be confusing. To be clear, the railway on that first day ran from the coalfields in the area of today’s Witton Park village, all the way to the quayside in Stockton on Tees.
A stupendous feat of engineering, involving as it did horses, stationary engines and from New Shildon onwards steam engines spanning some 26 miles. The first rake of waggons moved off at 7am on Tuesday 27th September.
At this western end of the line the first Civil Engineer was Thomas Storey, then a resident of St Helen, while the Engine man at the Etherley Summit was Thomas Greener.
Together with their respective families, they had been brought to the area from Tyneside by George Stephenson having previous experience of hemp rope working.
Enough of history! I now want flag up some of the several events that will be going off between now and the end of August.
These are just some, but you would able to find out information about all events by becoming a member of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
To begin with, an exhibition; an event that will run at the Story, Mount Oswald in Durham City. This will be running right through until 30th January 2026.
At the Mining Art Galley in Bishop Auckland there is an exhibition until early December entitled Fuelling The Railways. Tickets are £8 and free to under 5s and carers. Check for opening times, but he gallery is usually open from Wednesday until Sundays from 10.30am.
Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway are organising a number of free guided walks in August. Although free, booking is essential and can be done by visiting their website at www.sdr1825.org.uk/events/
On Saturday 16th is a free Teesdale Railway Walk, from Teesdale Leisure Centre in Barnard Castle.
Also on the 16th is a free walk from Darlington Market Place which will introduce the Pease and Backhouse families, who brought the Stockton and Darlington Railway to life.
On Wednesday 20th, walk along the former Haggerlees Line from St Helen to Cockfield Fell. This is a dog friendly walk, meeting up at West Auckland Manor house car park for 10.30am.
Visitors can also view the progress being made on the pz 2007 Prince of Wales engine on the 16th at Darlington Loco Works, Northgate. Also free, but again you need to book.
The 16th also sees a screening of A Passion for Steam, at Hopetown Museum Northgate Darlington, celebrating the 1975 Steam Cavalcade. Free but need to book.
On Sunday 17th, there is an open day at Thorpe Light Railway in Whorlton. This is £3.50 (cash only) and note that Whorlton Bridge is currently closed.
On Tuesday 19th, visit Quoits on the Railway at Darlington Quoit Club, Raby Terrace, Darlington.
There is also a take over day for all things Stockton & Darlington Railway in Darlington Market Place from 10am. This will include displays among others by the Brusselton and Etherley Incline groups.
Wednesday 20th sees a free talk on Timothy Hackworth, the Man who Engineered a Future for the Locomotive” given by Mike Norman in Shildon Railway Institute. Booking is advised.
This then is just some of the many events coming off in the next few days.
John Raw
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
