A nine month celebration across Durham and Stockton is marking 200 years since the first passenger train.
Students will rethink old tracks from February to July 2025. The challenge applies to those in years 5 to 8. Winning ideas become real prototypes. Shildon has a railway exhibit from February to December 2025. It shows trains and railway innovations.
A train got named ‘Darlington’ at the station. This was part of the celebrations. A statue moves to Shildon in March 2025. The statue is of Robert Stephenson. He and George Stephenson built Locomotion No. 1. It was for the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Communities will decorate peg dolls in March-August 2025. The dolls show favorite train trips. The art will be at Preston Park Museum in autumn. A traveling library is coming March to November 2025. It shows railway history. Important items and documents will be on display.
A show is happening March 29, 2025 in Bishop Auckland. It starts at 4:30pm. There are drones, performers, and projections. The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are needed due to limited space.
Darlington hosts a railway exhibit April to June 2025. It focuses on Stephenson’s inspirations. Locomotives will be on display. These include Pen-y-Darren and Steam Elephant. Locomotion No. 1 will also be there. Shildon has a model railway show in April 2025. The S&DR Discovery Trail game launches then.
Durham has an exhibit May 2025 to January 2026. It explores the railway’s social impact. Letters and diaries show its effect. Shildon hosts heritage events May to June 2025. Steam train rides and activities are included.
A walking trail opens in June 2025. It runs between Witton Park and Stockton. It’s 26 miles long, featuring art and a game. Art will be installed in Shildon and Stockton. It will show the railway’s story. Bishop Auckland has a mining art exhibit. Coal mining and railways are linked.
Shildon hosts a photo contest. It looks for young railway photographers. Darlington hosts a rail future exhibit July to October 2025. It will have VR experiences. Shildon hosts a summer festival July to August 2025. There are train rides and a pop-up beach.
A fringe festival happens August to November 2025. It has railway walks and local events. Preston Park Museum has new exhibits. They explore the railway’s impact and legacy.
Darlington and Stockton have a “Ghost Train” show. The performance is outdoors. Darlington’s show is September 20, 2025. Stockton’s show is September 28, 2025. A replica train travels the line. It runs September 26-28, 2025. Darlington, Shildon and Stockton are part of this.
Bowes Museum has a fashion exhibit. It starts September 25, 2025 and ends January 26, 2026. The exhibit shows railway’s impact on culture. Shildon shows a mobile exhibit in September 2025. It showcases the future of rail transport.
Durham hosts WOW festival in October 2025. It celebrates women from the North East. Raby Castle has exhibits all summer and fall. They focus on 19th-century travel. These events show the railway’s innovation.