S&DR200 - Anniversary Journey 1825-2025: Shildon, Darlington and Stockton

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Excitement is building for S&DR200’s celebrations across County Durham and Tees Valley as the festival counts down to the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s 200th anniversary on 27 September 2025.

The festival is unveiling a week of unmissable spectacles that will celebrate the region and its historic legacy. This highly ambitious project – five years in the making – centres around the newly restored replica of Locomotion No. 1, accompanied by the passenger carriage Experiment and traditional coal waggons. Over three days (26, 27 and 28 September 2025), the replica engine will run on sections of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway line, cheered on by thousands of spectators along the route.

There will be a number of designated locations to safely view the engine on its journey, and spectators are reminded to act responsibly and not trespass on the railway to view the engine outside of the designated locations.

It is advised visitors planning on viewing the anniversary jounrey to book free tickets and car parking pirior to the event. 

Spectators will also be able to enjoy a specially curated cultural and historical programme which includes a series of unique commissioned events, performances, and activities for all ages, taking place at key points along the journey. In addition, exhibitions will be held across the region’s museums, offering even more opportunities to explore and celebrate.

The inaugural journey of Locomotion No. 1 on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825 represented a major turning point in history, and two hundred years later, visitors will be able to take part in S&DR200’s special festivities marking this extraordinary milestone.