THOUSANDS of people made the 175th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway an event to remember.

And hundreds turned out yesterday to "do the Locomotion" and set a world record in the process.

A total of 374 people gathered in Darlington to take part in the longest-ever Locomotion dance, and danced their way into the Guinness Book of Records.

The dancers moved from the front of the Railway Centre and Museum into the building, along the platform, past Locomotion No 1, the first passenger steam locomotive, and back to the road.

The dance also raised funds for the Butterwick Hospice, with each of the participants donating money to take part.

Yesterday was the culmination of the three-day event, which began with fireworks lighting up the sky on Friday night.

That opened the festival to mark the 175th anniversary of the railway.

Events at the Darlington Railway and Arts Festival continued on Saturday.

Music and entertainment were included in the events, and there was a chance to win tickets to travel on the Orient Express in Britain.

Yesterday, enthusiasts marked the anniversary and enjoyed a celebration at the home of its superintendent engineer.

The Timothy Hackworth Victorian and Railway Museum, Shildon, County Durham, displayed more than 200 exhibits with a transport theme, ranging from shire horses to a rare Bedford electric car.

A large working model of Shildon station in the mid 20th Century was included in the show, along with miniature traction engines, fire engines from Crook and Barnard Castle, and a unique Star lorry.

Visitors could also take steam train rides behind the 1930s tank engine, Merlin, along a short section of the route where the first train made history on September 27, 1825.

The festival was organised for Darlington Borough Council by A Full Head of Steam and Aria, and was sponsored by The Northern Echo.

Brian Launder, director of Full Head of Steam, said the event was a huge success.

He said: "About 8,000 people attended the various events over the three days, which we were delighted about.

"We have reason to celebrate. We have the Locomotion in the museum, and that is where it all started, where it all began.

"The museum has been packed all weekend, and it has helped to raise the profile of Darlington. People have seen their heritage in front of them."