Looking for unforgettable days out this summer? If you love steam trains, railway history or just a good old-fashioned day trip, Durham is the place to be.

Why 2025 is a Big Year for Railways in Durham?

2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) – the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. It’s where modern rail travel was born, and this landmark moment is being celebrated across Durham and the Tees Valley with a full calendar of events.

From immersive exhibitions and heritage train rides to interactive museums and family festivals, Durham’s railway heritage is being brought to life in bold and brilliant ways. Whether you're a seasoned steam enthusiast or just after something a bit different this summer, here’s your essential guide to railway fun in Durham.

SDR200 Festival (March–Nov 2025) Celebrate 200 Years of the Railway Revolution

Running from March to November 2025, the S&DR200 Festival is a county-wide celebration of 200 years of rail innovation, community impact, and industrial change. The S&DR200 Festival features exhibitions, performances, interactive trails and steam-powered spectaculars running until the autumn.

Highlights include – 

• A 9-mile Discovery Trail linking key heritage sites along the original 1825 route – perfect for walking or cycling, with digital and augmented-reality experiences along the way.
• Raby Castle explores the railways' aristocratic connections in "Tracks Through Time", showcasing how the rail revolution reshaped rural estates and high society.
• The Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland presents "Fuelling the Railway Revolution", delving into the relationship between miners, the coalfields, and the rise of the railways.
• At The Story discover how the railways transformed everyday life across Durham in the new "All Change" exhibition featuring personal records, artefacts, and storytelling installations.
• Don't Miss: The Anniversary Journey finale (26–28 Sept) which will recreate the world’s first passenger train ride in 1825 with replica Locomotion No.1 and “Experiment” carriage retracing the original route.

Beamish Museum - Step into the Past with Railway Stories and Steam

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, is unlike any museum you’ve ever visited. Ride vintage trams, explore recreated Georgian and 1940s stations, and experience steam railways as they were.

This summer, Beamish joins the S&DR200 celebration with a packed programme with Tales from the Rails (19 July – 1 Sept). A six-week series of immersive experiences themed around railway stories through the ages, from Georgian wagonways to wartime evacuees. Travel through time with weekly themes featuring re-enactments, clue trails, hands-on activities, and family-friendly fun.

Ride working heritage trams and buses, explore a 1940s station, and experience Pockerley Waggonway, home to early steam rail replicas. Meet railway workers, station masters and passengers from the past.

Locomotion, Shildon - Flying Scotsman, Family Fun and S&DR200 Events

In the world’s first railway town, Locomotion in Shildon is a must-visit for train lovers. With Europe’s largest undercover collection of historic railway vehicles, it’s a centrepiece of the S&DR200 Festival.

Summer Celebration (19 July – 31 August): Ride behind replica engines like Rocket and Locomotion No.1, build your own railway in LEGO, and relax at the Shildon Seaside pop-up beach, with street food, sand play and live performances.

See Locomotion No.1, take part in interactive displays, and enjoy free entry for all ages. But 2025 brings something extra special…

Flying Scotsman Experiences (5–31 August): Meet the superstar of steam when the legendary Flying Scotsman visits Locomotion for four weeks.

• Climb aboard with the Ultimate Footplate Experience and share the cab with the crew during a 30‑minute round-trip.
• Enjoy short excursions behind the Flying Scotsman along the original S&D track, and access the cab for up-close exploration of the cab and controls.

Weardale Railway - Discover the Durham Dales by Rail

Looking for scenic beauty with vintage charm? Weardale Railway takes you on a relaxed ride through the glorious Durham Dales, part of the North Pennines National Landscape.

Running from Bishop Auckland to Wolsingham and Stanhope, this preserved line offers nostalgic train journeys alongside the River Wear, with sweeping views of rolling hills, stone villages and farmland.

Highlights include:

• Stop off at Stanhope Station, where you can explore a classic country platform, enjoy refreshments at the station café, or explore the quaint countryside town.
• On special event days, you might catch iconic diesel engines, family activities, or even get a driver’s eye view with footplate experiences.
• Don’t miss HST Day on 17 August 2025, when a High-Speed Train (HST 125) makes a special appearance—an exciting contrast to the usual slower pace!

Hopetown Darlington - Railways Past, Present & Future

Hopetown Darlington is a modern, hands-on heritage attraction celebrating Darlington’s place in railway history.

Built on the original North Road Works site where Locomotion No.1 was constructed, Hopetown blends immersive exhibits with cutting-edge innovation.

• See the STEAM to the Future exhibition (11 July – 5 Oct) tracing 200 years of engineering progress.
• Climb aboard vintage rolling stock and explore interactive train-driving VR simulations.
• Watch live demos and take part in creative maker workshops.
• Explore the historic buildings, on-site café, and family play zones for a full day of learning and discovery.

Tanfield Railway - Steam Through History on the World’s Oldest Railway

Tanfield Railway, proudly known as the world’s oldest operating railway. Dating back to 1725, it originally hauled coal to the River Tyne, nearly a century before the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Today, Tanfield Railway offers three miles of scenic steam train rides through beautiful wooded valleys and across historic bridges, including the Causey Arch - the oldest surviving railway bridge in the world.

• Ride behind lovingly restored steam locomotives through the stunning Causey Valley, with views that feel frozen in time.
• Visit the Marley Hill engine shed, the oldest working engine shed in Britain, and peek behind the scenes at ongoing restoration projects.
• Stop at period-style stations like East Tanfield, Andrews House, and Sunniside, where friendly volunteers are always happy to chat and share stories.
• Take part in themed events throughout summer, including heritage galas, freight train days, and the railway’s own 300th anniversary celebrations.

Plan Your Durham Railway Adventure

From steam giants like the Flying Scotsman to hidden gems in scenic valleys, Durham is the ultimate UK destination for railway lovers in 2025.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 200 years of railway heritage in the place where it all began. Pack a picnic, grab your camera, and get ready for a summer of steam, stories and spectacular memories.

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