The 27th September 2025, marks 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, a railway of great importance! Unlike other primitive railways and wagon ways before it, the S&DR was the first of its kind, a groundbreaking project on an epic scale of engineering marvel, a single-track railway hauling coal and goods from the upper reaches of Witton Park to the port of Stockton. But what made this railway more important, was the vision of a local mining and locomotive engineer, George Stephenson, who along with his esteemed colleagues, the likes of Timothy Hackworth and a young apprentice named Joseph Locke, built a railway fit for the purpose of running a NEW locomotive. Given that demand was so great for shipping coal to the south, for the first time ever, under an act of parliament, the new railway was decreed with the addition of allowing locomotives to operate with the carrying of passengers and, the first of which, was Locomotion No.1, formally named Active, but aptly renamed as it was to be the first locomotive to officially operate on the new S&DR, the world’s 1st public passenger railway. On 27th September 1825, amidst a huge gathering, Locomotion No.1 left Shildon carrying passengers, stopping briefly at Aycliffe Lane (Heighington Station) where it was placed onto tracks the day before, then continuing on to Darlington and Stockton. The world of passenger railway all started right here on our doorstep. With the 200th anniversary fast approaching, there is great emphasis on this historic occasion and the route itself, most of which is no longer original. However, the section between Shildon and Hopetown museum is still the original route in its entirety, and still operational to this day as enacted 200 years ago! Finding what remains of George’s original railway is practically non-existent, but recently I discovered what looks to be the remains of this highly important railway right next to Newton Aycliffe train station, after seeing a photograph of it at Preston Park Museum. Initially, many people believed that it was part of the 1970’s 150th celebration, but there is no evidence to support this. Photographic evidence has shown that it pre-dates the 150th anniversary and it may go back to the 50th which, without any doubt, will be part of the original route of George’s great railway, not the first incarnation, but early modernisation, if anything? A section left behind or separated to honour that railway before a major upgrade, a reminder of what it was? One thing has to be said, its placement is very odd, out of sight, out of mind. No access to it. Not even now! It’s beyond legal limits…trespass. It’s clearly in a secure place for a reason? Even 100 years ago, or more, it was inaccessible. To be placed here for any commemorative celebration is quite frankly off the beaten track and pointless. Why here of all places? Even though the railway itself has had many major upgrades, including a junction on to the Clarence railway at the site of the station, this old section of track or stones has been preserved due to its location. Is Newton Aycliffe holding a piece of hidden history of what remains from the route of the world’s 1st public passenger railway, evidence of early modernisation due to the high demand of industry and railways? Information relating to this oddly placed section of track is extremely rare, a couple of photos and theories, that’s about it. Nothing tangible. If you can shed any concrete evidence to its origins, not just theories, or have memories of it that would help in dating it in a process of elimination, then it stands a greater chance of being authenticated and honoured. Please contact The Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway or go to their facebook group.
Bill Gibson, Emerson Way, Newton Aycliffe.