NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 44
Stockton & Darlington 200
Michael L. Roach
This instalment is going to cover the single most important railway anniversary for many years, which will occur later in 2025. It was 200 years ago that the first length of 25 miles of the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened on 27 September 1825 to both freight and passenger trains using mostly steam engines, although horse traction was also allowed at first. The first meeting of those who would form the company took place at The George & Dragon Hotel in Yarm in 1820. The company constructed various extensions to Middlesborough and Saltburn; and to Kirkby Stephen and the West Coast Main Line in two places. The S&D retained its independence until 1863 when it was taken over by the North Eastern Railway contributing some 200 route miles and 160 engines to the new owners. There will be various celebrations, exhibitions etc throughout the north-east and throughout 2025. There will also be events throughout Britain. The logo adopted for the celebrations uses the slogan “200 Years of Train Travel Since 1825.”
Now five years later another well-known railway opened which tried to claim some of the S&D's thunder. That railway was the Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened on Wednesday 15 September 1830. Claims made for the L&M were that it was the first to rely exclusively on steam power; first to be double track throughout; first to have a signalling system; first to be fully timetabled; and the first to carry mail. The L&M was taken over by The Grand Junction Railway in 1845. Another claim, although probably not coined until many years later, was that the L&M was the first inter-city railway in the world; however someone pointed out in the railway press earlier this year (2025) that in 1830 neither Liverpool or Manchester was a city – they were both still towns.
At the time of the 150 celebrations in 1975 there was a cavalcade of steam engines at Shildon past a series of viewing platforms. I am afraid there will be no cavalcade in 2025 but there will still be lots to see. Many of the S&D's original buildings still exist and have been preserved, and are well worth visiting. If you have not fixed your holidays yet then the North-East of England is well worth considering. There are many interesting stations, railway lines, countryside including three National Parks, a beautiful coastline and an enormous number of really fascinating towns and villages. You will not be disappointed. To be clear, the area that I am talking about is the territory of the North Eastern Railway (1854 – 1922) which stretched from the Humber to the Scottish Border and inland 40 to 45 miles from the coast. I was there in September 1975 for the 150 celebrations and have been back several times since and have never been disappointed. If you are just passing through the area then the one location which should not be missed is the wonderful North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is in the top three of heritage lines in Britain and many would say is top. Attached to this article are some images from my week in the north-east in 1975.
The cavalcade took place on the afternoon of Sunday 31 August 1975 with the main grandstands located just south east of Shildon Station. At that point the railway is running from north west to south east and the viewing stands were located on the north side of the line. A seat cost £2.50 in advance and £3.00 on the day; while access to the site was just 50p. I chose to go further south east where the line is in a cutting. Was I being a skinflint in paying nothing to view the cavalcade. No, definitely not as I knew that if the sun shone the side of the engines nearest to the grandstands would be in shadow and I wanted to be on the sunny side of the engines as they passed. There were several visits by people rattling their tins for local charities which was nice to see.
The last few images show some of the 1975 brochures and guides etc. The most important one was the 80-page booklet “Rail 150 Exhibition Steam Cavalcade” which contained a complete one page potted history of each class of engine seen in the run-past. The ISBN is 0 9504223 0 4 and the booklet does occasionally appear on Ebay.
Now five years later another well-known railway opened which tried to claim some of the S&D's thunder. That railway was the Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened on Wednesday 15 September 1830. Claims made for the L&M were that it was the first to rely exclusively on steam power; first to be double track throughout; first to have a signalling system; first to be fully timetabled; and the first to carry mail. The L&M was taken over by The Grand Junction Railway in 1845. Another claim, although probably not coined until many years later, was that the L&M was the first inter-city railway in the world; however someone pointed out in the railway press earlier this year (2025) that in 1830 neither Liverpool or Manchester was a city – they were both still towns.
At the time of the 150 celebrations in 1975 there was a cavalcade of steam engines at Shildon past a series of viewing platforms. I am afraid there will be no cavalcade in 2025 but there will still be lots to see. Many of the S&D's original buildings still exist and have been preserved, and are well worth visiting. If you have not fixed your holidays yet then the North-East of England is well worth considering. There are many interesting stations, railway lines, countryside including three National Parks, a beautiful coastline and an enormous number of really fascinating towns and villages. You will not be disappointed. To be clear, the area that I am talking about is the territory of the North Eastern Railway (1854 – 1922) which stretched from the Humber to the Scottish Border and inland 40 to 45 miles from the coast. I was there in September 1975 for the 150 celebrations and have been back several times since and have never been disappointed. If you are just passing through the area then the one location which should not be missed is the wonderful North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is in the top three of heritage lines in Britain and many would say is top. Attached to this article are some images from my week in the north-east in 1975.
The cavalcade took place on the afternoon of Sunday 31 August 1975 with the main grandstands located just south east of Shildon Station. At that point the railway is running from north west to south east and the viewing stands were located on the north side of the line. A seat cost £2.50 in advance and £3.00 on the day; while access to the site was just 50p. I chose to go further south east where the line is in a cutting. Was I being a skinflint in paying nothing to view the cavalcade. No, definitely not as I knew that if the sun shone the side of the engines nearest to the grandstands would be in shadow and I wanted to be on the sunny side of the engines as they passed. There were several visits by people rattling their tins for local charities which was nice to see.
The last few images show some of the 1975 brochures and guides etc. The most important one was the 80-page booklet “Rail 150 Exhibition Steam Cavalcade” which contained a complete one page potted history of each class of engine seen in the run-past. The ISBN is 0 9504223 0 4 and the booklet does occasionally appear on Ebay.
LNER 4-4-0 no. 246 “Morayshire” was the first engine I photographed in the cavalcade. It was a D49 dating from 1948 and was based throughout its life at Scottish sheds. Its BR no. was 62277. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
GWR pannier no. 7752 dated from 1930 and had been built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, who were once the largest locomotive manufacturing company in Europe. None of the people in these first two photos had paid to watch the cavalcade. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Plaque at Shildon which is self-explanatory. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
An original S&D bridge. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The frontage of Darlington North Road Station which was opened to passengers by the S&DR on 1 April 1842 and is still used by hourly Northern trains to Shildon, Bishop Auckland and return. It should be noted that National Rail call the station North Road (Darlington) – code NRD. The former station building (behind the frontage shown) is used as a railway museum, and is well worth visiting. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
LNER A4 no. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley on display at Darlington (Bank Top) Station during the week of the main events. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The George and Dragon Hotel at Yarm where the original meeting of the promoters of the S&DR took place. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The plaque explains all. The hotel is located in High Street, Yarm, which has a very wide main street because markets were held there, and this is typical of many northern towns and larger villages. Yarm is also famous for its railway viaduct which was completed in 1849 but not opened until 1852. The viaduct has a magnificent 42 arches spanning the broad valley of the River Tees. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The very first railway booking office anywhere in the world at Stockton. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Again the plaque explains all. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Cover of The Calendar of Events 1975. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Cover of The Rail Trail. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Cover of The Darlington Souvenir Programme. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Cover of The Steam Cavalcade Souvenir Guide. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Page 76 of The Steam Cavalcade Souvenir Guide. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Page 80 of The Steam Cavalcade Souvenir Guide. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Part of the Cavalcade Supplement, which was printed at the last moment when the running order was known. The writing is my notes as I switched from still photographs to movie film and back again. The first engine passed me at 2.29pm and the last at 4.12pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Michael, what a great record of a fascinating event - unlikely to ever be repeated.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
57305 Arrives Penzance on the Night Riviera
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Roger Popped out in the 'Mizzle' this morning to capture 57305 on the 'Down Beds' passing Ponsandane Footbridge, unsurprisingly the Sun came out about 10 minutes later for the Day All the Best Andrew
Many Thanks Andrew
45 years ago
Paul Barlow
A few from 45 years ago, May 1980.
From a collection recently acquired by a photographer unknown.
From a collection recently acquired by a photographer unknown.
50006 arrives at Exeter with an up train to Paddington 28 May 1980. Photographer unknown, copyright Paul Barlow.
50012 on a down train at Taunton 17 May 1980. Photographer unknown, copyright Paul Barlow.
50030 Chard Junction on Saturdays only 1143 Exeter to Waterloo 24 May 1980 - Note the creamery in the background. Photographer unknown, copyright Paul Barlow.
50030 on Saturdays only1143 Exeter to Waterloo 50018 passes on an unknown express. 24 May 1980. Photographer unknown, copyright Paul Barlow.
Thanks very much for sharing these with us, Paul.
St. Austell 'Peak'
Roger Geach
A shot of 46021 with the 1V71 0735 Leeds - Penzance at St. Austell. A Plymouth LA loco. This was a regular Peak hauled train at the time, which would have had a loco change at Plymouth. 16.05.1977, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks indeed, Roger.
Speeding to the West
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
43024 skirts the estuary at Starcross as it heads west in this undated shot from 2000. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks, Phil - another cracking shot.