In case you hadn’t noticed, 2025 marks a significant milestone for one of the greatest and most significant inventions of all time. And the celebrations surrounding this event centre on Teesside and County Durham.
Stockton & Darlington Railway 200th Anniversary
Murgatroyd49, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On 27th September 1825, a train of carriages pulled behind Locomotion No. 1 travelled between Shildon and Stockton, via Darlington, hauling coal, passengers and other goods.
It demonstrated the innovation of the steam engine, and the work of pioneers and engineers in proving the viability of such a mode of transport when all the world had known previously was stationary engines and horse power.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway Today
Thankfully much of the original route of the Stockton & Darlington Railway is either still in use as a working railway, or is preserved in the landscape to explore and discover.
Original station buildings in Heighington, Darlington and Stockton still exist, albeit now in very different uses, survive. Plus, sections of track bed, bridges (including the Skerne Bridge in Darlington), as well as some of the early engines and carriages used on the railway also survive.
What is Happening in 2025?
Many different organisations, such as museums and historical societies, plus the towns on the route of the original railway, have planned a whole host of events to celebrate this bicentenary year of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 2025.
These will culminate as we approach September, around the time of the 200th anniversary.
The recently opened Hopetown museum in Darlington will be one such focus of the events, and there will also be events at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, as well as in and around Stockton.
This is an event of national, or even international, significance and is expected to bring thousands of extra visitors to the region.
Railway 200 is a nationwide partnership that has been established to celebrate to 200th anniversary of the railways, with a wide variety of activities to both celebrate the heritage and inspire a new generation of pioneering people to get involved in the future of rail.
Some of the highlights this year include:
Bishop Auckland – An opening event takes places on 29 March to start the year’s celebrations. It will involve a performance by SKYMAGIC incorporating technology, art and live performance.
Hopetown Darlington – displays of early locomotives and many more exhibitions throughout the year. Website.
Locomotion – The Shildon branch of the National Railway Museum will host the Railway Firsts exhibition, lineups of iconic locomotives and rail vehicles, as well as talks, lectures and family activities. Website
Preston Park Museum – the park and historic hall near Stockton-on-Tees was once on part of the S&DR route. It will present nationally important railway artworks, as well as other events and an archaeological dig on the original railway route. Website.
Darlington & Stockton – Large scale art installations and theatrical shows will be performed in both Darlington and Stockton in September to mark the anniversary.
Travel the S&DR – Newly renovated Locomotion No. 1 replica and carriages will run on part of the original route on three dates in September, with designated locations along the route for spectators to watch.
Libraries – a touring exhibition will visit libraries across County Durham featuring authentic voices from the time of the Stockton & Darlington Railway found in letters, diaries, court papers and other records. It examines the socio-economic impact of the railway on the region.
Keep an eye out for news of S&DR 200 events on Lost Teesside, as well as the official website at https://www.sdr200.co.uk/