RAILWAY MEMORIES
Railway heritage runs deep in Darlington's soul; often referred to as "the birthplace of modern railway"
The town's importance to the history of the entire world cannot be understated.
With the history of rail being so deeply intertwined into the town, stories of the railway are commonly held in families across Darlington. Whether that's from work, leisure, or from the S&DR150 (or even S&DR100!) celebrations, or just an interesting journey - we want to hear and celebrate your stories.
So if you grew up around the railway here in Darlington, or if worked on the railways in the region, or even if you have a family connection to the railways and have a story to share, please fill out the form at the bottom of this web page.
This page will be updated with your stories for the festival so keep checking back.
Maurice Etherington
I served my time has apprentice at North Road Work's. In 1957 I started off in the front offices, delivering mail to the stores round the factory for orders for parts and nuts and bolts etc, and going to night school three times a week. I then went on the shop floor, starting work in the machine shop, learning turning, milling and drilling. I was then moved into the repair shop, working on engine's, and tender repair's, before working on Diesel engines. When I finished my apprenticeship, I then left to go and work at Derby Loco Work's, and I was there for 4 years before coming back to Darlington, and working at Shildon in 1965, before leaving and working at Cummings engine's, before taking early retirement.
Peter Kirby
I have a good selection of colour and black and white images.
My abiding memory of the day was the amazing number of people there and luckily the good weather. I have read about estimated figures because I'm sure there was no real way of counting them all. I travelled up from Hertfordshire on one of the numerous specials overnight so an early arrival was possible. It would be interesting to know exactly how many trains ran.
I had a seat in the stands booked which made sense on paper but with a brilliant sunny day trying to take photos was a bit of a trial. I assume all the folk standing the other side of the line had a much better view and I guess the didn't not pay for the privilege!
I enjoyed the visit to the Brussleton Incline and it was fascinating to walk a bit of the line. I assume the Hackworth engine works has now been restored as it looked a every bit it's age in the photo. Well, just about it as far as the memory takes me...It was a long time ago.
I must admit to looking at the photos even now.
Hugo Summerson
I well remember the 150th anniversary. We lived at Hall Garth, Coatham Mundeville and on the day we drove up the Whiley Hill road to watch the old engines go past on the S&DR line. Each one was met with an enormous cheer, but the last one, the Advanced Passenger Train, was greeted with boos! We took a whole lot of photos which I might be able to find if you'd like to see them.
I have no family stories from the 100th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1925, but my great-grandfather, Thomas Summerson (1810-1898), helped to build it in 1824-25! Some information about him (largely from his obituary):
Mr. Summerson had the unique distinction of being connected continuously with railway work from before the date of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington line till very shortly before his death, which took place at his residence, Haughton-le-Skerne, which had been his home for some forty years. He was born in April, 1810, at South Shields. He was from his earliest years endowed with a remarkable memory, and quite well remembered the holiday which he got from school in celebration of the victory of Waterloo, though he was only five years old when it occurred. As a boy he was very delicate, but in manhood he acquired such strength and endurance that it was no uncommon thing for him to walk fifty miles and upwards in one day, and he was noted on the Stockton and Darlington Railway for his activity and skill in leaping on and off trains when running at speed. At the age of fourteen he was employed in hand drilling the stone blocks which were to be used for supporting the rails of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. For this he was paid 8d. per day, and was expected to drill twenty-four blocks for the 8d. The time fixed for the opening of the railway was the 27th September, 1825. Mr. Summerson was present at the opening, being at that time directly employed by the railway company.
During the construction of the Stanhope and Tyne Railway he was employed on it as a labourer, and was present at the opening in 1834.
The survey for the "Great North of England Railway," as it was first called, from Darlington to York, was made in 1836, and Mr. Summerson was employed on it under Mr. Storey, the engineer to the Stockton and Darlington Railway. When this gentleman was succeeded in this post by Mr. John Harris he gave Mr. Summerson the post of permanent way inspector. This was in 1839. Mr. Harris contracted with the company to uphold and maintain the permanent way for ten years, and has also other important work in hand, especially in the construction of the Middlesbrough and Guisborough Railway, and in these he was assisted by Mr. Summerson with great success, so much so that the latter was awarded a bonus of £1000, all of which, however, be subsequently lost in an unsuccessful speculation in patent brick manufacture.
In 1853 Mr. Harris took a lease of Hope Town Foundry, and Mr. Summerson was appointed manager, being in the course of time taken into partnership. A large trade was done in cast iron chairs and wheels. Mr. Summerson, in conjunction with Mr. Harris, introduced and patented a railway chair with a wood cushion under the rail, and also a special form of chilled cast iron wheel for chaldron wagons. Mr. Summerson, while in this position, also invented a new crossing, and patented a hot-air cupola for economising fuel. (I have some of these patents).
In 1869 he acquired the Albert Hill Foundry, and commenced business on his own account. (This business, under the title of Thomas Summerson and Sons, ran until 1966. It had a wide reputation for switches and crossings the principal articles manufactured.)
Mr. Summerson is credited with first having introduced wooden sleepers in place of stone blocks for railway work. He would have been driven to this by his work as a 14-year old of drilling holes in the original stone blocks, "a hard, cruel life" as he described it in a later memoir.
Mike Hodgson & Trevor Tompson
I’m bell ringing tower captain at Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington but I also ring at St John’s church in Shildon. Generations of railway workers in Shildon were also bell ringers at St Johns and they have celebrated anniversaries of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway by ringing ‘peals’ on two occasions. A peal is a piece of continuous ringing of over 5000 changes, rung by eight ringers who ring it without stopping for approximately three hours. It’s the bell ringers equivalent of a runner’s marathon.
A centenary peal of 5120 changes was rung on Saturday, 4th July 1925 by a band of eight ringers who were all employed by the L.N.E. Railway company. A commemorative board was prepared and presented to St Johns church on behalf of the Railway Company by Mr Stephenson, Works Manager, Shildon. I’ve attached a picture of the board, which still hangs in the St John’s ringing chamber.
A peal of 5040 changes was rung on Saturday, 27th September 1975 by eight members of The Railwaymens Guild of Church Bell Ringers to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening. The board was presented to the church on behalf of British Rail Engineering Ltd by Mr G.W.J. Bracknell, works manager at Shildon B.R.E. Works, along with a commemorative tankard for each ringer. I’ve attached a picture of this board, which also still hangs in the St John’s ringing chamber.
The Railwaymens Guild of Church Bell Ringers sadly died with the ending of British Rail, as it was an integral part of the British Railways Staff Association (BRSA). The Guild of Railway Ringers was born out of the ashes of the nationalised railway and now incorporates ringers from the privatised railway companies, Network Rail, London Underground and the various light railways and heritage railways across the country.
Trevor Thompson, tower captain at St John’s, and I feel that the 200th anniversary of the opening of the railway must be celebrated by the ringing of another peal. We therefore invited The Guild of Railway Ringers to ring one on Saturday 27th September 2025. They have accepted this invitation and are now in the process of putting a band of eight ringers together to ring the peal. As these ringers will be coming to Shildon from various parts of the UK, the timing of the peal is yet to be decided.
I’ve been informed by the guild secretary that four of the ringers who rang in the 1975 peal (David Wilkinson, Tony Skilton, Chris Mew & Steve Munday) are still active members of the guild. I don’t know if any of them will ring in this peal, but it would be amazing if they did!
Peter Kelly
In 1975 myself and my mate Dave (Wally) Walton, were glaziers at Elders Walkers and were contracted by Darlington Borough Council to fit glass to showcases at the old Magnet Bowl in Darlington. The building had been temporarily seconded by the council as an exhibition centre for the 150th celebrations. Me and Wally had to work alongside students (many from abroad), to encase the many priceless exhibits under glass for security. Elders Walkers were also instrumental in glazing North Road Station Museum (as was) and there is a leaded plaque in the museum to proclaim our interest. Peter Kelly - Elders Walker Glass.
Steven Dyke
I attend the 150th anniversary celebrations in 1975 (I was 19), but 50 years is a long time and the only thing I vaguely remember is watching the cavalcade. It was led by Locomotion No.1 with probably a High Speed Train at the rear. However, I do have a number of items of 150th anniversary memorabilia.
Back in 1975, when I met people who remembered the 1925 celebrations, I thought "they must be really old". So, here we are in 2025 and I don't think of myself as "really old" but, aided by my diary, these are my recollections about S&DR 150 events:
29 May 1975: As a member of the Cambridge University Railway Club, which agreed to lend items for the S&DR 150 exhibition in the former Magnet Bowl in East Street, I dealt with arrangements for their collection by the Darlington firm of Haward & Robertson on this date.
17 July: Viewed the official opening of the Timothy Hackworth Museum, Shildon, by HM The Queen Mother. Afterwards visited my great-uncle, Sidney Ebbage, who lived nearby, retired from the Shildon railway works.
22 August: Visited the display of locomotives and rolling stock and the British Rail “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” exhibition train at Bank Top Station, and the S&DR 150 exhibition at the former Magnet Bowl.
24 August: Visited the exhibition of railway stamps, coins, postcards, etc., at Darlington College of Technology. Attended railway film show at the Odeon Cinema, including “The 4472 Story – Flying Scotsman”.
25 August: Visited the “Flea Market” in Bondgate Hall, the auction of railwayana in Archer Street Sports Centre, the railway art exhibition in the Crown Street Art Gallery and the photographic display in the Old Town Hall.
27 August: Travelled on a brake-van trip from Appleby to Merrygill Quarry at the western end of the Stainmore route that originated as part of the S&DR group of companies.
28 August: Visited the Timothy Hackworth Museum and the “Rail 150” exhibition of locomotives and rolling stock at Shildon Works.
29 August: My first visit to Darlington North Road Station museum - not anticipating that five years later it would be my place of work! Afterwards, for the first time, boarding a train at the one platform still in railway use.
30 August: Travelled on the “Rail 150” railtour, which included the parts of the S&DR 1825 route still in regular use and the Consett and Leamside lines no longer used by passenger trains.
31 August: Watched the “Grand Steam Cavalcade” at Shildon. Afterwards walked the “Rail Trail” along the abandoned section of the original S&DR route beyond Shildon.
Alison Newmarch
I watched the cavalcade from a field with my father. Unbeknown to me I also saw my future father I law driving one of the trains.
Francis Connolly
I was a 17 year old Apprentice Plumber in September 1975 for Darlington Borough Council. My memories of the celebration is that I (along with an older Plumber), had the job of running an overground water supply for Caravans/W.C's etc at a temporary Visitor Site located on the grassed area off Whinfield Road. As I recall, we did the same at the South Park.
Susan Jones
I only moved to Darlington in 1982. I love living here. I only remember the 175th anniversary with a walk from the museum to Dinsdale along the old railway track. We caught a train back from there. My late Mum & Dad & my sister came from the North West to join in the walk.
Steve Carr
I was on duty at Darlington D.M.U. Depot, I was a diesel locomotive maintenance fitter, some of the engine drivers met up at the depot to be taken up to Shildon to bring the engines down to Darlington. They had their smart uniforms on, we were there in case of any problems. It was a great vantage point for photos.
Liz Thompson
I’m not old enough to have been part of the celebrations of the 100 year anniversary of the S&DR– not quite – but I clearly remember the excitement of celebrating 150 years of train travel in Stockton in 1975.
In this part of the world we are very proud of our railway history and learned about it as children so we were recruited into lots of the activities going on around the town .
The parades were led by a full size replica of George Stephenson’s Locomotion and included many other amazing engines from all around the country, some of which were still in use on a daily basis.
Many of these amazing feats of engineering are still being preserved at Shildon, York and at Darlington's’ very own Hopetown Darlington. Some remained in the town centre for a while afterwards.
We were thrilled after waiting for what seemed an age in a damp and foggy Stockton station to see (and hear) coming out of the mist, the one and only Flying Scotsman.
We took part in a pageant in Preston Park where I was dressed as a jester and my sister remembers being a blacksmith for the day.
Everyone in the town seemed to be at the event and we saw everyone we knew!
2025 should be a very special year and we should all enjoy celebrating our rail heritage and the people and skills of the North East!
Judith Parker
I thought I would drop a few lines re: the Cavalcade of Steam in 1975.
I was 13 and it seemed like most of Newton Aycliffe was ranged along the embankment on the line just past Newton Aycliffe station and under the watchful eye of the Norsk Hydro factory (as it was then). It was quite an array of engines, I remember the locomotion replica in steam and Sir Nigel Gresley along with many other engines. It gave me a love of steam engines and I now live in Darlington not far from the newly refurbished (and excellent) Hopetown Museum.
Sir Nigel Gresley. As you can see people got quite close to the track
Elaine Vizor
I remember very well the Grand Steam Cavalcade in August 1975. I was 18 years of age and strangely, though I grew up here with relatives working at ‘Shildon Shops’, it was whilst working in London the year before that my interest in local rail history was raised. I’d met a guy called Martin who was a railway enthusiast and thanks to discussions with him I made a point of attending the Cavalcade when I returned home. I can’t pretend to remember the trains I saw, was it 17 locomotives in all, but what I recall keenly is the buzz in Shildon, especially at what might have been the central point. The place was awash with people, barely a space to stir. The excitement was tangible and the steam trains were really there! It was a wonderful multi-sensory event with steam, sounds, experiences, chatter, laughter, cheering and that’s the abiding imprint in my mind from a day in 1975. And I think I caught a glimpse of Martin in the distant crowd. He’ll be an octogenarian now. I wonder if he’ll return to Shildon this year.
When I drive through Shildon, where - notwithstanding the sculptures, artifacts and museum of course - there is barely a trace of the railway as it was then in 1975, the tracks, the gates, the sense of the industry all around that place, I remember the hustle, bustle and enjoyment of that distant celebratory day.
I’m sure 2025 will be another milestone event creating more great memories for us to carry forward.
Malcolm Frank
I was with my wife and our two older children, one born 1970 and one in 1973. We lived in Newton Aycliffe at the time and went to the track side somewhere near to where the station is now. I seem to remember Councillor, later Alderman, Jim Skinner either driving or being on the footplate of one of the locomotives in the Cavalcade. Many people had old pennies from before decimalisation and put them on the track to squash them as souvenirs. It was a great day out.
Pauline Glendenning
My husband and I had just been married. This year is our 50th golden wedding anniversary. We live right beside the train station at Newton Aycliffe and watched the possession of trains along the track in 1975. Absolutely brilliant sunny day, crowds all over.
We sat on the fence watching, just 18 & 19 years old. Young love, old trains - brilliant! We still live in the same house next on the Saltburn to Bishop Auckland railway line.
My childhood house was beside the Clarence line where we watched steam trains passing at the old simpasture crossing.
Richard Wake
Alan Gill, my uncle, drove one of the steam engines in the 1975 celebrations. He was a lovely man who featured a lot in my life, he was also a town councillor and Darlington Mayor.
Peter Wilson
In 1975 I was sat on a grassy bank at Shildon overlooking the railway line with a very clear view of all the many trains etc. It was a clear day and l had an Olympus SLR 10 camera with three separate lenses. The standard 50mm, a 24mm and l think a 78/150 so l took some great colour negatives (slides).
I retained these until last year when l passed them onto a member of the Friends (of S&DR) who is going to use them as part of the 200 anniversary. Because it’s important that such opportunities and images are shared, the record was a picture of everything on the Cavalcade.
I was born in Witton Park (in 1955) and have always felt a connection to the railways. I have very fond memories of seeing Locomotion 1 on Bank Top Station until its transfer.
Similar memories of travelling to/from Witton Park station to other stations nearby. The station and its grounds was a natural draw for a child, the noise, the people etc, I also remember the re-opening of that station.
I think Shildon have done a great job in preserving and showing the history of our railways and go there frequently. So to now see all the investment in Hopetown Darlington (which l also naturally visit) is a dream come true.
Whilst working for Darlington Council for over 40 years, my office in Park Lane between 1973 and 1988 overlooked the Station so l could hear trains running all day. My manager was very keen on trains and together we stood one day on the pedestrian bridge leading to Garbutt Square whilst the Flying Scotsman thundered underneath us. My picture was ruined by the vibrations and smoke but l can vividly recall that moment.
What the railways have done for the world can never be understated and it’s wonderful to feel a genuine part of that story.
Stephen Calvert
I attended the Rail 150 celebrations at Shildon Wagon Works on the Sunday before the cavalcade with my father and brother. We saw William Whitelaw name the Black Five 'George Stephenson'. Luke Casey from Look North was much in evidence!
We spent time inside the wagon works where I saw a Tyneside Metro train (front end only) for the first time, I now live in Newcastle and have regularly used the Metro over the past 40 years.
Outside there was a floral display made by a team from the wagon works.
Also interesting were views from a footbridge, which is still in place, at the maze of railway tracks where now there is a tree lined walk to Locomotion.
Later that week my brother and I went to Darlington where, on a patch of wasteland, a group of model engineers had laid a short length of track and were showing off steam locomotives, rolling stock and a steam crane. All excellent large scale models with the three cooling towers of Darlington power station in the background. These were also a landmark on the East Coast Mainline heading north out of Darlington.
We also visited North Road Station that had just opened as a museum. Much improved over the derelict building I recall visiting in 1970!
Finally a trip to Darlington Bank Top station where the original Locomotion and Derwent were still in place on the platform at the head of the southern bay platforms.
John Robson
I was there in 1975! I purchased a special ticket to travel to Shildon. I also purchased a grandstand ticket. However it was a bright sunny day, and sitting in the grandstands was facing into the sun. So I abandoned the grandstand, crossed the long bridge across all the tracks and walked in the Heighington direction. I soon found an ideal spot for photography.
After returning on the train home to Darlington, I picked up my bike and cycled to Croft Spa, hoping to see many of the locomotives in the cavalcade returning home. This didn't work, as the locomotives which had been in the cavalcade headed back via Eaglescliffe. Nevertheless it was an interesting late afternoon /evening as there were many special trains heading south (which had brought passengers to Darlington). Most were hauled by English Electric Class 40 diesel locomotives. It made a pleasant finish to the day, still in warm sunshine.
I also went by special train to the Liverpool and Manchester cavalcade in 1980. The return special train was considerably delayed in the Hope Valley, when an alert signalman noted thar the train had no tail light. It seemed that one was eventually brought by road so we could continue.
Nigel Bill (NYMR Fireman)
I was fortunate to be at Shildon for the whole week of the S&D 1975 celebrations as we had four locomotives taking part in the cavalcade - 2392, 2238, 62005 ,4767 George Stephenson being named by the Rt Hon William Whitelaw - and spent some time in the preceding week having some of our loco's on the shuttle from Masons crossing to the Shildon works transfer sidings for new wagons coming out of the works.
It was a great week of mixing with footplate crews and loco's from other heritage railways that came to Shildon.
Our four locomotives were all in steam in the cavalcade and I was fortunate to be the responsible person on the footplate of 2392 offering advice if the driver or fireman asked for any information about the locomotive.
Angus Wheeler
You were after memories of the 1975 celebrations. I was 8 at the time.
My father, Michael Wheeler, was one of the organisers. I do remember that we ended up with a lot of souvenirs, including a tin of Locomotion Steam! Those people selling tins of fresh air were obviously just following a successful sales pitch from 1975.
I remember seeing all the engines at Shildon works, including Evening Star, Sir Nigel Gresley and the prototype HST.
For the cavalcade itself it was a glorious day. We were sitting in the stands on the opposite of the track from where Locomotion is now. Lunch was packed and it was the first time I can ever remember having melon.
Happy memories!
Mike Abbott
Back in 1925, I’d like to bet, my Grandfather was part of the S&DR100 celebrations given the family connection - Alfred Kitching, builder of ‘The Derwent’, is my Great Great Grandfather.
You’re all doing a great job up at Hopetown Darlington. And I really enjoy my visits. Especially ‘The Derwent’ and the site of the Kitching foundry. Keep up the good work for S&DR200.
Name Witheld
I was only 10 years old in 1975 but remember going to a lot of the events. We had a school trip to a huge indoor exhibition in an old bowling alley building that was in East Street behind the Library.
During the summer there were loads of outdoor events, including a carnival parade with 'floats' depicting different aspects of the railway history which went from North Road through the town into the South Park, where there was an amazing showground on the big field (a bigger version of the old Darlington Show) that was open into the night... I remember it being a fantastic atmosphere. There were a few other shows in the park that summer.
I also remember going to the railway cavalcade. My grandad was an electrician for British Rail in Darlington so he knew best place to watch all the iconic trains such as The Flying Scotsman, The Mallard, Sir Nigel Gresley, etc. travel along the railway line and we allowed to put coins on the line to be flattened by them.....think I'll probably still have those coins somewhere, ha ha.
George Matthews
1925: My grandfather, George Thompson, was a Yard Inspector with the LNER at West Hartlepool (I never knew him - he died in 1942). At the time of the 1925 celebration my late mother was 11, almost 12, and her father took her along with him to see the cavalcade on 2nd July. She was a bit vague about her memory of the event itself, describing it as being taken "to a field near Yarm" but she remembered clearly being in trouble when she went back to school as 'she'd ruined her class' otherwise-100% weekly attendance record.
The field, I guess, would have been at the Urlay Nook site on the opposite side of the line to the grandstand but I haven't been able to spot her and her Dad in any of the photos I've seen.
Fast forward to the late '70s when my aunt, my Mum's elder sister, passed on to me some memorabilia of the centenary which had been given to her by a friend to give to me because "I like trains"
1975: 50 years on from the centenary it was my turn to take my mother to the cavalcade, this time, of course, at Shildon. So, accompanied by my aunt and my father we took our seats in one of the covered grandstands (C, I think) to enjoy the spectacle, enhanced by Alan Pegler's commentary. The previous day, Mum, Dad and I had been to the Shildon exhibition.
I recall that the seating arrangements in the grandstands were a bit chaotic. There were some TA soldiers attempting to act as marshals but they were overwhelmed by the confusion caused by the issue of tickets at different prices. In the end we spotted 4 empty seats in one of the tiers and headed for them. We had an excellent view. It was a joyous day and the weather was perfect. I remember looking towards the wagon works where the engines were stabled, seeing a pall of black smoke and thinking that not one person was complaining about all that steam-raising. A string of DMUs passed fully loaded with spectators and each cab packed with the BR staff who would man the engines. After the cavalcade had passed a number of engines returned to Shildon and it was worth the wait to see them come back, particularly the LBSC Stroudley "Terrier" on which the coal had been painted white.
2025: It's been my ambition to keep going my family's link with attending S&D celebrations This year I'll be with a group of like-minded pals, mostly retired railwaymen (I worked in the steel industry). We'll be spending the weekend of 26th - 28th September based in Darlington and hope to find a good vantage point to watch "Locomotion" go past as part of our itinerary.
