The countdown has officially begun for the 200th-anniversary celebrations of a historic North East railway line that changed modern train travel forever.

The Stockton & Darlington Railway will mark its bicentennial anniversary in September of 2025 with a nine-month-long festival named S&DR200, officials have confirmed.

To mark the monumental 200th-year celebration, council authorities have joined together to organise a nine-month festival that will include rail journeys, exhibitions, and visual arts.

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The Northern Echo: The Darlington & Stockton Railway.The Darlington & Stockton Railway. (Image: S&RD200)

The 26-mile-long line first opened on September 27, 1825, and changed rail travel forever with the first-ever passenger train journey.

Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 Bicentenary Festival Director, has expressed their excitement for the celebrations that are said to include “something for everyone”.

They said: “The importance of this moment cannot be underestimated, the railways have become day-to-day life for many people around the world.

“Most of us have a treasured memory or a story that involves a rail journey and it is this, and the drive to invent and explore, that this festival celebrates.

“We want to inspire and give people the opportunity to discover new opportunities and enjoy collaborations by international artists – all linked to this fascinating industry to mark this special place where it all started.”

The bicentennial also coincidentally coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Railway Museum, making the celebrations that much more special for Museum Director Judith McNicol.

She said: “The bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway is a key railway anniversary of real international importance. It is doubly significant for the National Railway Museum, as the date also marks our 50th birthday.

“Through a calendar of events, programming and displays, we will help visitors to Locomotion in Shildon and the National Railway Museum in York to share in the exciting centenary celebrations.”

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Chair of Railway 200 and Network Rail said:  “The world changed forever in 1825, and the 200th anniversary of this first passenger train journey is a historic opportunity to reset the public’s relationship with rail.


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“It is our chance to present the railway as a forward-thinking, digital, industry and as an attractive career option for young people and for people from many different backgrounds.”

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, added:  “All who made the Stockton & Darlington Railway happen were trailblazers and it is so special that we can commemorate their achievements in this way while forging our own path for the future of the rail industry.”

The full programme of events and details will be revealed in September 2024.