The Stockton & Darlington Railway marks its 200th anniversary this month.
This milestone is significant both locally and globally, with the world’s railway networks to thank for the ingenuity and persistence of those engineers and financiers who introduced the world’s first public, steam-powered railway back in 1825.
For our region, it’s an incredible part of our history and is bringing lots of attention and visitors to witness the celebrations and explore the remains in 2025.
A History of the Stockton & Darlington Railway
The Stockton & Darlington Railway, opened on 27 September 1825, is celebrated as the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. Conceived by Edward Pease and engineered by George Stephenson, it was built to transport coal from the mines around Shildon to the port at Stockton-on-Tees, running for about 25 miles across County Durham. The inaugural journey saw Stephenson’s locomotive Locomotion No. 1 haul both coal wagons and passenger carriages, marking the birth of the modern railway age. Initially designed primarily for freight, the line soon carried paying passengers, sparking the rapid expansion of railway networks across Britain and the world.
Stockton’s Surviving Infrastructure
Naturally there are still parts of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and its infrastructure surviving today, if you know where to look.
First and foremost, part of the current active railway line on the Darlington to Saltburn route uses a small section of the S&DR route around Bowesfield Junction.
In Stockton, there are some significant structures and locations to see.
Most notably are the buildings around St John’s Crossing.
This is where the railway arrived into Stockton, and the site around this historic well, close to the crossing into Thornaby, was chosen for a number of buildings which still stand today.
Former Weigh House
They are the Weigh House, often referred as the booking office.
Former Railway Tavern
The Railway Tavern joined on to it, which originally sold drinks to waiting passenger and traders, and is where you could buy a ticket to travel on the railway.
Former agent’s house
Joined to that is the Coal and Limestone Depot Agent’s House.
All of these buildings are still in use today, tenanted by a charity. However, you can still see plaques and signs indicating their history and showing pictures of how they used to look.
Look out for this memorial to the railway on the nearby 1825 Way. This road itself runs along the route of the railway as it approached Stockton.
The line once crossed Bridge Road at St John’s Crossing and carried on down to the riverside where other infrastructure was in place. This included coal staithes and loading/unloading facilities, plus a public house known as The Fleece Inn.
Sadly this area was redeveloped from the 1960s, wiping out the buildings, warehouses and tracks used by the railway, and replacing them with a modern road.
Today this is being developed further with the new park running from the High Street to the river.
Stockton Town House
On the High Street itself you’ll find the impressive Town House (or Town Hall). This is where many meetings were held regarding the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
When the first sod was cut, in 1822, a gathering was held to celebrate.
Then, on the day the railway opened – 17th September 1825 – a grand banquet was held here for all of those involved. It culminated in many toasts to the new railway.
Stockton-on-Tees: A Colourful Past
See more of Stockton’s past (as well as that of Yarm, Norton, Billingham and Thornaby) in this new book from Paul Menzies. Included are many mentions, plus historic pictures and memorabilia surrounding the S&DR.
Available Here: https://destinworld.com/product/stockton-on-tees-a-colourful-past-book/