"Once in a lifetime" re-enactment of Locomotion No.1's first journey - plans announced to mark highlight of S&DR200 Festival in Stockton

Exciting plans for how people in the Borough will be able to celebrate Stockton and Darlington Railway's (S&DR) first passenger rail journey have been revealed, with a once in a lifetime re-enactment of Locomotion No.1's first journey.

Organisers of the S&DR200 festival have confirmed a packed programme of large-scale events and railway inspired activities set to take place the last weekend of September across Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham and Darlington. 

On Sunday 28 September, Stockton Town Centre takes centre stage, as the reenactment of Locomotion No1's first journey heads to the town.

The highlight of the S&DR200 Festival is the recreation of the inaugural journey of Locomotion No.1, which took place 27, September 1825 and covered a 26-mile journey between Shildon and Stockton-on-Tees via Darlington. This historic journey transformed how the world traded, travelled, and communicated. 

Two hundred years later, spectators will be able to watch a newly restored replica, pulling the passenger carriage, 'Experiment', and goods wagons along sections of the original line.  

This will be followed later in the day by a programme of exciting activities, including performances and food and drink opportunities in Stockton Town Centre, culminating in Ghost Train: The Arrival, a magnificent outdoor show of epic scale and innovation taking place on Stockton Riverside. 

Anniversary Journey: A re-enactment of the first journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway  

The Anniversary Journey will start at Locomotion, Shildon on 26 September, Darlington on 27 September and will arrive at Stockton Station on 28 September. 

Travelling between five and ten miles-per-hour, there will be official viewing points along the 26-mile route, over the three days where visitors can see Locomotion No. 1, including Locomotion, Shildon and Hopetown, Darlington before the replica arrives in Stockton.

Where can I view Locomotion No.1 on Sunday 28 September?

Stockton-on-Tees is the final opportunity for spectators to see the train at a host of designated locations.

Locomotion No.1 will arrive at Stockton Station at 11am and will be welcomed by The Lord Lieutenant for County Durham Dame Sue Snowdon, Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO) and a brass band. Public access to Stockton Station is limited to 300 free tickets, which are up for grabs for spectators to access the station and view the train for approximately half an hour.

Demand for tickets is expected to be high. Find out more information and book.

In Stockton-on-Tees, the official public viewing location is Rochester Road.

No tickets are required for this area as this viewing point is large enough to allow people to experience this special moment in history.

It is hoped that crowds of residents and visitors from across the region and further afield will turn out to catch a glimpse of the replica, due to the train's fantastic, elevated position on the line.

The Rochester Road viewing location will welcome Locomotion No.1 from 11:30am until approximately 12:10pm.

Visitors are advised to plan their journeys and arrive early as the site is expected to be extremely busy.

Rochester Road is around one mile from Stockton Town Centre and can be accessed on foot. There will also be free car parking close by, on a first come first served basis. 

Avid trainspotters can also view Locomotion No.1 on the move from the Hartburn and Moorhouse Estate from around 10:30am before it heads to Rochester Road. This location is ideal for local residents and is accessed on foot. There are no car parking facilities.

There will be more details and maps to follow about the Anniversary Journey in Stockton-on-Tees to ensure everyone can enjoy this historic occasion.

The Anniversary Journey Celebration is funded by S&DR200, with support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and other stakeholders, with sponsorship from LNER. The festival team is also working with Network Rail on the delivery of the event.  

Following Loco's departure, Stockton Town Centre will also be a hive of activity with plenty of things for people to see, do and enjoy following the Anniversary Journey, including food, drink, live music, a specially commissioned, large-scale outdoor dance theatre production from Southpaw Dance Company and Ghost Train: The Arrival, a creative epic-scale show, which includes an amazing reimagination of Locomotion No.1.

Visitors coming to the Borough as part of the bicentenary celebrations can also visit Preston Park Museum to enjoy Tracks of Change, a series of exhibitions allowing visitors to play and learn while exploring the impact and legacy of the birth of modern railways.   

Keep tuned to S&DR200 and the Council's social media channels for more information about The Anniversary Journey, Ghost Train: The Arrival and what's on offer across the rest of the day.

What do Councillors think?

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "Not only is the recreation of the inaugural journey of Locomotion No.1, the highlight of the S&DR200 Festival, it is a highly ambitious project which festival organisers and partners have worked on together for five years to bring it to fruition.  

"We hope residents and visitors from across the region and beyond will be wowed as they see the newly restored replica of Locomotion No.1, accompanied by the passenger carriage, Experiment and traditional coal wagons travel through Shildon, Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees."

S&DR200 Director Niccy Hallifax said: "Two hundred years ago, the North East witnessed one of history's most exciting developments, with progress on an unprecedented scale: from democratising travel, day trips, communication, newspapers, and time - the list is extensive. It was a golden era of inspiring design, invention, and development, which the world came to celebrate. Two centuries later, we invite the world to return for the 200th anniversary week of celebrations across County Durham and Tees Valley. September will be packed with celebrations and cultural activities, with something for everyone, whatever your age. We would like visitors to enjoy a gathering of community, local, and international artists, performers, and creative talents, all drawn together to celebrate the S&DR's immense legacy and its inspiration for the next generation.

"This is our heritage, and we should be proud of these achievements while looking forward. It will be an opportunity to discover—or return to—a series of incredible heritage and cultural attractions dotted across the region, all putting on a show to mark this extra special event."

A full list of the S&DR200 programme listings can be found on the S&DR200 website.