The Duke of Edinburgh visits County Durham and Tees Valley as part of S&DR200 anniversary celebrations

29th September 2025

Today [26 September] S&DR200 was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who attended celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), one that had a profound impact on the world today. The S&DR gave birth to the modern railway, changing how the world traded, travelled, and communicated. During the landmark visit to Locomotion museum in Shildon, The Duke of Edinburgh met Chris Cubitt, the driver and the team of engineers behind the newly restored replica of Locomotion no. 1 as well as Guy Martin who was also part of the crew on the day. Travelling onboard the carriage Experiment The Duke was greeted by Lord Lieutenant, Dame Sue Snowdon, Kingsley Smith OBE, Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion and Reuben Kench, S&DR200 Partnership Board Chair among others.

As part of the celebrations at Locomotion museum, Inspiration – Railway 200’s unique exhibition train, curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, is on display as part of its tour of Britain for the anniversary year. 

The Duke then travelled to Hopetown in Darlington, and met with The Mayor of Darlington Councillor Sonia Kane and The Mayor of Stockton Councillor Stephen Richardson, to have a tour of the current exhibitions STEAM to the Future and Titans of Steam which celebrate the rail industry and iconic steam locomotives such as Sir Nigel Gresley. 

There is a long history of Royal visits to Stockton and Darlington Railway anniversaries, The Duke and Duchess of York attended the centenary celebrations in 1925. In 1975, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, opened the National Railway Museum in York and North Road Station Museum to celebrate the 150^th celebrations. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother also visited in 1975 and opened the Hackworth Museum in Shildon.

S&DR200 Partnership Board Chair and Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Reuben Kench said: “We are deeply honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Locomotion and Hopetown today as part of the bicentenary celebrations of the S&DR. His visit reaffirms the profound significance and impact of The Stockton and Darlington Railway in shaping the world we know today. His Royal Highness’ presence is a testament to the enduring legacy of the early railway pioneers.” 

The S&DR200 Anniversary celebrations continue until Sunday 28 September across County Durham and Tees Valley. On Saturday and Sunday Southpaw Dance Company will present STEAM at Shildon Hackworth Park and Stockton High Street. STEAM explores the remarkable ingenuity and determination of figures such as George Stephenson, the “Father of Railways”, and Edward Pease, the daring investor who envisioned a new era of commerce and connectivity. Please check the full Anniversary programme here.  

S&DR200 is being delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Major funders include Tees Valley Combined Authority, Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and Heritage Railway.

S&DR200 is partnered with Railway 200, a year-long campaign celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. S&DR200 sponsors include LNER, Hitachi, Amazon UK and Caswell’s Group.

The Duke of Edinburgh, is His Majesty The King’s brother and the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, The late Duke of Edinburgh.