All aboard S&DR200: How Stockton-on-Tees Borough's residents can celebrate the railway Bicentenary

A nine-month international festival inspired by 200 years of passenger train travel is heading to the region - and Stockton-on-Tees will be at the centre of the celebrations.

The S&DR200 festival will mark the historic first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway and will take place from March to November 2025.  

There will be so many things to see and do across the Borough. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy exciting outdoor arts events, fascinating exhibitions and take part in community projects. The festival will allow people to delve into the story of the railways and learn more about the impact passenger rail has had on the way the world has traded, travelled, and communicated.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "The Stockton and Darlington Railway, gave birth to the modern railway - and to think that started here, in our Borough, is truly awe-inspiring!

"Naturally, the Borough is going to be at the heart of this exciting, nine month, international festival which is inspired by the first passenger journey. We want residents and visitors alike to be able to enjoy free activities and fun experiences while learning more about our Borough's heritage.

"We're expecting thousands of visitors and residents to travel to the Borough from across the country and outside the UK, to enjoy what's on offer over the nine month festival. September 28 will be an exciting day to remember in Stockton when the Anniversary Journey is set to arrive. This will kick-start a day of celebrations in Stockton Town Centre followed by the spectacular Ghost Train in the evening. Make sure you put this date in your diary!

"From March to November there are lots of events across a 26-mile corridor and there will be something for everyone so sign up to the S&DR200 newsletter, visit the website or follow S&DR200 on social media to make sure you don't miss out."

What can I expect from the nine month festival in the Borough?

Here's some of the key highlights taking part in Stockton-on-Tees so far. Keep tuned to S&DR200's social media and website for regular programme updates:

Outdoor spectacles and exciting events

If all goes to plan, on Sunday, September 28 Stockton Town Centre will welcome the Anniversary Journey, a recreation of the first journey on the S&DR with a newly commissioned replica of Locomotion No. 1. The journey is expected to start in Shildon on Friday, September 26, making its way to Darlington on Saturday, September 27 before it arrives in Stockton on Sunday.

Throughout the day, there will be a railway-themed outdoor chill-out zone serving artisan food and beverages called The 1825 in Bishop Street Car Park, Stockton, where crowds will be entertained with live music, performances, street theatre and arts and crafts while they enjoy tasty treats.

The 1825 will be set against the existing Locomotion No.1 mural in Bishop Street Car Park, which is being repainted ready for the celebration.

The Ghost Train, a two-part large-scale outdoor performance, is taking place in Stockton and Darlington. It will arrive in Stockton on the evening on Sunday, September 28 after a performance in Darlington on Saturday, September 20.  

The show includes an amazing re-imagining of Locomotion No. 1, complete with illuminated carriages. In Stockton the spectacular, free show will feature music, performance and interactive elements telling the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway's innovation and the transformational impact on the region. The Ghost Train is a commission of the S&DR200 Project and is created and produced by Avanti Display Ltd & Walk the Plank, funded by S&DR200 and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

What's happening at Preston Park Museum?

Following a multi-million pound extension and wider park improvements, the museum will showcase a range of exhibitions in its new gallery spaces, looking at the natural and human stories of the railways.

S&DR200 presents, Tracks of Change, a series of exhibitions including All Aboard, Corridors, Gateway to the World and Perfume, which will explore the impact and legacy of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first passenger railway. The transformation of Preston Park is being funded after the Council secured £20million of funding for work in Yarm and Eaglescliffe from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

All Aboard

Step inside and explore Preston Park Museum's new interactive exhibition specially created for children. Little engineers will be able to get hands-on with wheels to turn, coal to shovel and pistons to pump in the giant replica train and themed play zones. Families will be able to take part in a journey of discovery through play to understand the important story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The museum is also welcoming internationally acclaimed artists to create stunning immersive and sensory exhibitions, sharing the impact rail has on nature and the biodiversity of our landscape. 

These reflective spaces will encourage visitors to think about special corridors of nature created by rail travel, as well as asking the bigger questions about the future of sustainable travel.

Corridors

Corridors is a stunning new installation by internationally acclaimed artist Rebecca Louise Law. Delicately suspended from the ceiling, hundreds of locally grown flowers create a beautiful and immersive display celebrating the vital role that railways play in connecting habitats across our countryside. Visitors are invited to take a moment to escape in this one-of-a-kind floral garden that appears to hover in mid-air, and this will be built by the artist and community groups which is part of Rebecca's practice. This project will take place in partnership with the Preston Park Garden Team and the Biodiversity Team at Network Rail.

Gateway to the World

A collection of nationally significant paintings will go on display together for the first time at Preston Park. This powerful exhibition, set to open in the autumn, will highlight the important role that the birth of the railway played in creating tourism through day trips and travel opportunities for all, regardless of class. 

Perfume

We're working with the internationally renowned, contemporary, visual artist Yann Nguema on an exciting installation for the new space at Preston Park. Look out for more details about this major commission, which will take an immersive look at scent and is inspired by the seed distribution and pollination when trains travel through the countryside. Perfume is provisionally scheduled for the second half of the S&DR200 Festival.

What other plans are in place to mark the bicentenary at Preston Park?

A Memorable Journey 

From March, a mass-participation art project called A Memorable Journey will take place across Tees Valley and County Durham and will see community groups decorate peg dolls, representing their favourite train journey. These will be showcased in an exhibition at Preston Park Museum in the summer.

Redevelopment of South Lodge and S&DR interpretation

Plans to reveal the Stockton and Darlington Railway story, opening up views of the 1825 track-bed and installing interpretation which tells visitors about the world changing events in this location are underway.

As part of the next steps for major investment in Preston Park, a planning application for the demolition and redevelopment of the South Lodge, a condemned 1920s bungalow have been submitted.

As the site is listed and lies along a scheduled ancient monument, plans are being developed to work with Tees Archaeology on an archaeological dig to reveal the original track-bed, subject to planning approval.  Keep tuned to Preston Park's social media for updates.

Fancy a game? Why not try the 'Trail of Discovery' and create a cavalcade of virtual locomotives?

Teesside University has worked with S&DR200 to create a unique, interactive, discovery game, which will bring a cavalcade of locos into the palm of your hand. Using a smart phone, players can collect tokens to build locomotives, travelling through history and locations. The online game can be played from anywhere in the world but also in person on the Stockton and Darlington Railway Discovery Trail. The trail follows significant sections of the S&DR through County Durham, Darlington and Stockton. In Stockton-on-Tees, the trail goes from Eaglescliffe Station to Preston Park and onto Stockton Riverside. Not only will it provide entertainment, but it will provide a lasting legacy, enabling people to enjoy the trail long into the future.

Murals to celebrate the bicentenary are also planned for locations across the Borough. Keep tuned to the S&DR200 and Council's social media channels for more information as plans develop.

What's happening in the Borough's Libraries?

The Borough's libraries have a packed programme of railway themed displays, talks, projects and activities taking place throughout 2025. Highlights include:

The Whistle Stop 

Presented by S&DR200 this bespoke, touring library exhibition will showcase the Stockton and Darlington Railway's history using high-quality reproductions of important artefacts and documents found and brought together from archives across the UK. It will take place from 14 April to 7 June at Stockton Central Library and Thornaby Central Library. Documents will include engineer drawings and rarely seen maps as well as a few amusing Victorian cartoons depicting the adventurous and strange inventions of the age.

Library Talks - Women of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and The importance of the Stockton and Darlington Railway

Caroline Hardie, archaeologist, author and trustee of the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway will shine a light on the women who were part of the railway that got the world on track. This talk will take place on Wednesday, March 12 at 10.30am at Stockton Central Library.

Caroline Hardie returns on Wednesday, May 14 to outline what is so important about the Stockton and Darlington Railway and why the country (and the world) has commemorated it every 50 years since it opened. She will also address what happens after the 2025 commemorations. This talk takes place at 10.30am at Stockton Central Library.

Darlington Model Railway Club - All Aboard!

On Saturday, May 10 come and meet the Darlington Model Railway Club at Stockton Central Library for this family friendly session which take place from 10am to 2pm. Suitable for fans or those new to model trains. Be part of this special event and let your imagination run on the tracks!

Libraries Community Quilt Project

Working in partnership with Stockton Riverside College's Art & Design Course Leader and students, this project will see community groups create and design their own S&DR200-themed patches, which will be brought together to make a beautiful quilt, capturing the legacy and magic of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Keep tuned to Stockton Libraries' social media channels for more information as the project develops. This project is funded by Libraries Connected and Arts Council England.

Crossing the Tees Book Festival

This year's Crossing the Tees Book Festival from 13 to 22 June will feature railway themed events. Find out more by visiting the crossing the tees website.  

Limited Edition S&DR200 Library cards

And anyone signing up to Stockton Library Services in 2025 will receive a special, limited membership card with an S&DR200 design!

The festival runs across County Durham and Tees Valley too. What's happening elsewhere?

All Change - the launch event

The S&DR200 Festival's launch event, 'All Change' will take place in Bishop Auckland on Saturday, March 29 at 6.30pm.  The spectacular open-air event will combine dazzling projections, drones and up to 80 live performers, bringing railway history to life. 

The event is hosted at 11Arches, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7SF.  Tickets cost £5 per person and are selling fast! For tickets and more information visit the S&DR200 website. 

There is no parking on site so visitors will need to utilise park and ride options. Full details are available on the S&DR200 opening event frequently asked questions webpage. 

For residents in Stockton-on-Tees there will be a park and ride system from Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BJ, to make sure that people can travel to the exciting outdoor event.

Ghost Train, Darlington

The Ghost Train is a unique, two-part performance and will start in Darlington Town Centre on Saturday, September 20. It will feature performers, live music and a procession of large-scale art installations representing some of the world's most important inventions. The Ghost Train is a commission of the S&DR200 Project and is created and produced by Avanti Display Ltd & Walk the Plank.

The S&DR200 Fringe Festival

The Fringe Festival is a programme of events, inspired by the 200 anniversary and organised by community organisations in Stockton, Darlington and County Durham. It sits alongside the main S&DR200 full festival programme but encourages everyone to celebrate this special anniversary year in their own unique way. The Fringe includes a series of walks by the Friends of Stockton and Darlington Railway and there will also be events in Shildon, Witton Park, Darlington, Middleton St George and Stockton throughout the festival as part of the Fringe Calendar.

What else is happening in addition to what's happening in Stockton-on-Tees?

There's so much more to come across during the nine month festival including exhibitions in Hopetown, Darlington and The Story in Durham plus a walking and cycling trail to improve active travel links and celebrate the region's railway heritage between Witton Park in County Durham and Stockton. The trail closely follows the original 26-mile-route of the world's first passenger and goods train journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway line and will become a permanent visitor attraction for generations to enjoy.

How can I find out more about S&DR200?

To find out what's happening and when head to the S&DR200 website, email info@sdr200.co.ukand follow @sdrfestival on social media. You can also follow the Council's social media accounts for regular updates on events and activities taking place in Stockton-on-Tees.

S&DR200 is also announcing new festival highlights across the year at multiple venues across the region. Please find the latest programme listings linked here and online on the S&DR200 website.

S&DR200 is being delivered and funded in partnership by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Major funders include Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority and The National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Thanks to Historic England and Heritage Railway Trust for their funding support and S&DR200 sponsors including LNER.