Hopetown Darlington will be front and centre of the S&DR200 festival this Autumn as the award-winning visitor attraction, the home of the modern railway, plays host to a thunderous reunion of six iconic steam legends.
Standing proudly side by side, each locomotive is a roaring monument to Britain’s engineering might.
From the nimble 78018 BR Standard Class 2 to the rugged 62005 LNER K1 and the freight-hauling 63395 LNER Q6, the line-up is a masterclass in steam power. The elegant 65894 LNER J27 and stalwart 63395 LNER Q6 bring the charm of the North Eastern Railway, while the mighty 60163 Tornado and the legendary 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley steal the spotlight with their speed and majesty.
This is more than a line-up, it’s a living, breathing pageant of steam where history hisses, whistles wail, and the spirit of the rails roars once more.
Experience a close-up view of the elegant 65894 LNER J27 and mighty 63395 LNER Q6 within the Hopetown Darlington site, where you can also view Sir Nigel Gresley, Tornado and the 62005 LNER K1 in light steam from a purpose-built viewing area looking across the railway line.
There will also be separate footplate tours where you can step aboard the Sir Nigel Gresley, Tornado and the LNER K1, as well as benefitting from workshop tours of Darlington Locomotive Works (home to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust) and The 1861 Shed (home to Darlington Railway Preservation Society and the North East Locomotive Preservation Group). Experience a truly unforgettable heritage day out.
The iconic gathering takes place daily between Saturday 20th September to Sunday 5th October 2025 only at Hopetown Darlington.
Tickets for the Titans of Steam Gala, including the light steam events and footplate tours, are available now at hopetowndarlington.co.uk/titans and should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
Further details on the locations of the locomotives, additional locomotives joining the line up and any associated activities and events, will be revealed on Hopetown Darlington’s website and social media pages in the coming weeks.
The exhibition will be complemented by the highly anticipated ‘anniversary journey’ taking place on Saturday 27th September at Hopetown Darlington.
There are lots of other events and chances to get involved in the S&DR200 festival – visit: www.sdr200.co.uk, www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk and www.enjoydarlington.co.uk to find out more and keep an eye on Hopetown Darlington’s, Darlington Borough Council’s and S&DR200’s social media pages.