Anniversary Journey 1825 to 2025
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Shildon, Darlington and Stockton.
Friday 26 September to Sunday 28 September.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first passenger railway journey, a newly renovated replica of Locomotion No. 1 and the passenger carriage 'Experiment' will travel along sections of the original S&DR line, cheered on by spectators along the route.
Spectators will be able to see the train at designated locations and enjoy an accompanying programme of very special commissioned events organised at various points along the route for all to enjoy.
Tickets
The Anniversary Journey is a free event and open to all ages.
Please follow this link for FAQ's for Shildon Spout Lane viewing zone.
Please note it won't be possible to follow the train between locations due to the traffic management and expected congestion.
Anniversary Journey Viewing Locations
We are advising visitors to use this information to plan their journeys and arrive early as many of the sites are expected to be extremely busy. For safety reasons and to support traffic management along the route, it will not be possible to follow the train between locations during the anniversary journey. Additionally, there will be no public viewing areas at train stations during this event with exception of Stockton Station which is ticket only.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to enjoy the celebrations from designated viewing points or via our official coverage.
These times could be subject to change so please check again before planning your visit.
You can also watch the Locomotion No.1 replica leave Shildon on it's first historic trip from home or on-the-go via a YouTube live stream link.
LIVE STREAM SHILDON - CLICK HERE
Friday 26 September
Location | Timings | Ticketed | Access Information | What3Words |
Locomotion Museum Shildon Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 2RE | 9:00am-11:45am | Yes
| Parking is available onsite must be booked in advance with a viewing ticket. Once the replica leaves the Locomotion site you can still follow its progress to Darlington on our giant screen within the site. Tickets are available here: | Refer to tickets for location |
Spout Lane Viewing Area Spout Lane, Eldon, Shildon, DL4 2 | 10:30am | Yes | This location is perfect for residents Link for tickets Zone 1 https://galadurham.co.uk/book-online/?webeventid=717402 Zone 2 https://galadurham.co.uk/book-online/?webeventid=717403 No access for vehicles or parking on site, you will need to walk to this location. Follow instructions on your ticket for access locations. | Refer to tickets for location |
Preston Road Newton Aycliffe | 12:20pm-12:25pm | Not Ticketed | This location is perfect for residents. Limited access for vehicles parking on site We recommend you walk to this location. | ///pigs.rare.camp |
Saturday 27 September
Location | Timings | Ticketed | Access Information | What3Words |
Skerne Bridge Darlington, DL1 1LG | Yes (Sold Out) | For access information refers to tickets | ||
Darlington Market Place Darlington, DL1 5QG If you haven't got a ticket for Skerne Bridge then follow the journey via the giant screen and enjoy some live entertainment at this vibrant community setting.
| 11:00am -
| Not Ticketed | Parking is available at various sites in Darlington Town Centre Recommend to arrive early as traffic will be heavy | ///incomes.ledge.pitch
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Skerne Bridge Darlington, DL1 1LG Locomotion 1 will be on site to view on Skerne Bridge at 1235am and will pause for a very short period. We recommend you get here by midnight. These timings are subject to live operations and services. | 11:30pm-12:40am | Not Ticketed | Locomotion 1 will be onsite to view on Skerne Bridge from midnight Recommend to get there early | ///timing.cool.hands
|
Sunday 28 September
Location | Timings | Ticketed? | Access Information | What3Words |
Dinsdale Station Middleton St George Darlington | 2:00am- | Not Ticketed | Limited capacity at this location and limited parking on site. Would appeal to rail enthusiasts as this location offers the opportunity to view the replica up close. | ///weary.bangle.piglets |
A67 (Airport to Urlay Nook) Stockton on Tees | 6:00am - | Not Ticketed | This location offers unobstructed and elevated views as Locomotion no 1 passes by. No access for vehicles or parking on site, you will need to walk to this location. | From: ///taking.ambient.jousting To: ///acids.grain.picture |
Hartburn Fields Stockton on Tees | 10:00am-10:20am | Not Ticketed | This location offers unobstructed views as Locomotion no 1 passes by This location is perfect for residents. No access for vehicles or parking on site, you will need to walk to this location. | ///ears.priced.notes The foot path access is via ///rare.fries.patio. |
Stockton Station Stockton on Tees |
| Yes (Sold Out) | For access information refer to tickets
| ///incomes.ledge.pitch
|
Rochester Road, Roseworth Stockton on Tees | 11:00am-12:10pm | Not ticketed | This location offers unobstructed and elevated views of Locomotion no 1 Locomotion no 1 is on site for approximately 40 minutes This location is perfect for residents and visitors to Stockton. Visitors can walk to this location from Stockton Town Centre . Limited parking is available a short walk from the site. There is catering and toilet facilities on site. | ///tone.values.hurry
Car park is ///sticks.sunk.lucky |
If you haven't got a ticket for the arrival into Stockton Station then you can still follow that journey via giant screen at Rochester Road | 10:30am - 13:00pm | Not ticketed | Car parking is available at a number of locations within Stockton Towns Centre Find a car park in Stockton-on-Tees - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
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We are proud to be working with partners Network Rail and specialists, as well as one of our sponsors LNER as part of the Railway 200 celebrations.
Delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council & Stockton Borough Council.
Major Funders: Tees Valley Combined Authority. Sponsors: LNER, Hitachi Rail, Amazon UK, Hampton Group & Caswell's.
With thanks to Network Rail & Railway 200.
Southpaw Dance Company presents STEAM
Audiences in both Shildon and Stockton will be transported through key moments of triumph and challenge, from the fervour of the railway's conception to the adversity faced during its construction. Experience the exhilaration of the railway's inaugural journey, engineering marvels, and societal shifts it triggered, all brought to life through Southpaw's signature dynamic choreography and immersive storytelling. This will also include local performers who have been brought together to create this piece.
Performance locations and times are:
- 27 September - Hackworth Park, Shildon (12.30pm and 2.50pm)
- 28 September - Stockton High Street (2pm and 4pm)
Ghost Train: Stockton
The immersive performance will start a week earlier on 20 September at Darlington town centre with 'Ghost Train: The Departure'. Performers, music and a procession of large-scale art installations representing some of the world's most important inventions, such as the internal combustion engine, the microscope and electricity.
Ghost Train: The Arrival - 7:30pm - Stockton Riverside
Closing the Anniversary Journey procession in Stockton on 28 September will be 'Ghost Train: The Arrival'. The Ghost Train is a large-scale outdoor show delivered by artists Avanti Display with Walk the Plank that includes an amazing re-imagining of Locomotion No. 1, complete with illuminated carriages. In Stockton, the spectacular, free show will last 45 minutes and will feature music, performance and interactive elements telling the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway's innovation and the transformational impact on the region.
Ghost Train is a commission of the S&DR200 Project and is created and produced by Avanti Display Ltd & Walk the Plank, funded by S&DR200 and Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Other anniversary weekend events
On 27 September, The Big Picnic will welcome visitors to Hackworth Park, Shildon for a day of community, celebration, and railway-themed fun. This family-friendly event is open to all with live local bands and other activities, including the Southpaw STEAM performances - bring a blanket, pack your picnic, and enjoy the festivities!
Also on Saturday, there will be local performances around Skerne Bridge and Hopetown will have activities on the day, plus the Titans of Steam Gala exhibition.
On 28 September, 1825 Green will be happening in Stockton ahead of the Ghost Train event.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
You can find more information about the Anniversary Journey event on our frequently asked questions page.
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