S&DR200

A great opportunity here!

National Railway Museum turns 50! ✨

I think the rejuvenated Zak Newton Locomotion No 1 mural in Stockton is absolutely brilliant - cleverly adding John Walker to the mix. Infant Hercules & Pals decided to finish last night’s rehearsal by popping over and giving it a soundtrack. Thanks to Ian Paine for capturing it at short notice. The song belongs to The Pogues but the Railways will always belong to S&DR200 and our ancestral Navigators who shovelled their place into the history books. ARC Stockton Arts Centre Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Charlie Kemp Heather Walker FRSA Reuben Kench Tracey Carter Richard O'Neill MBE and anyone else enjoy and share if you are able! https://lnkd.in/ejwt7i95

"The ability to get outside of your walls is important if we’re to get the next generation to find things in museums that are relevant to them.” 👏 Our brilliant Festival Director Niccy Hallifax spoke to Museums Association about the S&DR200 Festival, the importance of reaching new audiences and maintaining a regional legacy with the invention of the modern railway through the various celebrations planned this year as part of the festival programme. Read more about Niccy's thoughts about the festival here: https://lnkd.in/edMptjGE

This Saturday 29th March is our opening event spectacular ‘All Change’ at 11Arches, Bishop Auckland Here's what to expect on the day: - Doors open at 4.30pm - From 5pm - County Durham-based artist Lewis Hobson will be creating live graffiti art. His artwork, completed in real-time, will explore graffiti’s deep connection to railway culture and urban storytelling, offering a visually stunning contribution to the evening. Renowned environmental artist Steve Messam will present Whistle, a striking large-scale sound installation. This temporary artwork explores the layers of narrative within Bishop Auckland by placing a series of replica steam locomotive whistles around the town. These whistles will sound once a day, mapping historic sites and evoking the rich industrial past of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. 7pm - Starting the main show will be the powerful voices of local choir Infant Hercules made up of men and boys from across the region, with dedicated choir leader, ‘Wildcats of Kilkenny’ Mike McGrother at the helm. The choir will perform a medley of traditional and rousing songs that honour the five distinct boroughs of the Tees Valley, reflecting the ‘boy to man’ generational span of industrial workers who built the region’s legacy. 7.25pm - Our main live show promises an immersive storytelling performance from imitating the dog and an awe-inspiring drone show by SKYMAGIC which will take the audience through time, from the birth of the modern railway until the present day! The show is expected to finish at 8pm. Refreshments will also be available to purchase from food & drink vendors on-site If you haven’t got your tickets yet, you can get them here: https://lnkd.in/e-WA8AVz... For accessible tickets or wheelchair user tickets and for any blue badge parking enquiries, please contact the box office 01388 436 030

🚂🥳 The latest episode of Tales from the Rails is out now! Join host, Caroline Hardie and guest presenter, Angela Pickering in their podcast as they uncover the hidden stories of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in celebration of the 200th anniversary this year. 🛤️🙌 In this episode, they explore the overlooked contributions of women in the railway’s history, including pioneering women like the Peacock sisters who influenced the evolution of the railway. 📍 You can check out the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eYAmbm5P 📅 To honour the first journey of S&DR which took place on 27th September 1825, each podcast episode comes out on the 27th of each month. #SDR200 #SDR #railway200 #trains #stocktonanddarlingtonrailway #railwayheritage #ukheritage #heritagerailwayassociation #talesfromtherails

🕛📅 2025 will kick-off with an evocative ‘Whistle-Up’ of vintage locomotives at 12 noon on 1 January! 🚂🚉 The event is part of Railway 200 and is going to take place on heritage railways across the U.K., spearheaded by Heritage Railway Association members. #SDR200 #SDR #railway200 #trains #stocktonanddarlingtonrailway #railwayheritage #ukheritage #heritagerailwayassociation

Merry Christmas from the S&DR200 Festival team! 🎄🎅☃️❄️🎁✨ Here is a timetable of the Stockton & Darlington Railway's Christmas Day services in 1856 with information of what trains were running across the region. #SDR200 #SDR #railway200 #trains #stocktonanddarlingtonrailway #railwayheritage #ukheritage

🧑🚂 Timothy Hackworth was born today in 1786. Hackworth was the first Superintendent of Locomotives for the Stockton and Darlington Railway. 🤝 As the first Superintendent between 1825 and 1840, he played a vital role in developing steam engines that met the significant demands of freight and passenger travel. By sharing his experience with visiting engineers and rail promoters he also directly influenced the development of railways on both sides of the Atlantic. 🛤️📅 He worked on Locomotion No. 1, designed the Royal George in 1827 and designed Sans Pareil which took part in the Rainhill Trials for Liverpool and Manchester Railway. 📝 In 1833, Hackworth ceased to be a salaried employee and instead contracted work to the S&DR. Private contracts that he carried out during this time including manufacturing an engine for the Russian government in 1836, which John Wesley Hackworth couriered to Russia and manufacturing locomotives for the Albion Coal Mining Company in Nova Scotia. 📸 Picture courtesy of Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway #SDR200 #SDR #railway200 #trains #stocktonanddarlingtonrailway #railwayheritage #ukheritage

🛤️🚆 In partnership with S&DR200, the inaugural WOW Women of the World North East Festival will take place in 2025! The WOW Foundation 📅🎊 The first ever WOW North East Festival will take place at Gala Durham on 17 and 18 October 2025. 😊 WOW are asking people to come forward to be part of planning the festival, taking part in a series of 'WOW Think Ins' which will be held across the region. Everyone is welcome! 🎭🎨 If you are interested you can attend 'Think In' events being held in January and February in venues including Gala Durham & ARC Stockton Arts Centre, along with Shildon Railway Institute & Darlington Library. 👋 Please join them for a WOW Think In. Entry is FREE. Book a place here: https://lnkd.in/eJnkGFNe #SDR #StocktonandDarlingtonRailway #WOW #WomenoftheWorld #NorthEastFestival #NorthEast #GalaDurham #ARCStocktonArtsCentre #ShildonRailwayInstitute #DarlingtonRailway #wownortheast Darlington Borough Council Durham County Council Tees Valley Combined Authority