Friends Of The Stockton & Darlington Railway

S&DR 197th anniversary walk
2022-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | New Inn Crossroads at Phoenix Row, DL14 ODQ
TUESDAY 27th SEPTEMBER – The actual 197th Anniversary – Walk Witton Colliery via Phoenix Row and Etherley to West Auckland and the Station Master’s House (To be led by Members of Etherley incline & Witton Park Group and WASH).

S&DR 197th Anniversary Event
2022-09-24 08:00 - 2022-09-25 17:00 | To be announced
SATURDAY 24th and SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER – Celebrating the 197th Anniversary of the Opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway – at Shildon and Darlington. More details to follow.

Visit the the gardens of Thomas Storey
2022-08-07 11:30 - 16:30 | 67 Manor Road, St. Helen Auckland, DL14 9ER
Visit the gardens first laid out by Thomas Storey of the S&DR. This event is part of the National Garden Scheme and costs £4 for adults which is donated to charity. Children can attend for free and dogs are also welcome.
Storey’s former house is at 67 Manor Road, St. Helen Auckland.
THOMAS STOREY (1789-1859)
Storey was one of the many talented people brought to the S&DR through their connections with George Stephenson. Born in Makemerich near Ponteland and educated at Stamfordham, he served an apprenticeship as a mining engineer in Lancashire, then Wales and Shropshire. He was related to George Stephenson through marriage to his wife Elizabeth and so he was released from his employment in 1822 in order to join Stephenson on the Stockton & Darlington Railway. He moved to St. Helen Auckland to be near his work and spent the rest of his life there.
Between 1822 and 1825, Thomas was in charge of the construction of the S&DR from Witton Park to Heighington Lane (now on the edge of Newton Aycliffe). He oversaw the construction of the first enginemen’s houses.
As engineer to the S&DR, his work included supervising the construction of the Haggerleases branch line, designing the skew bridge near the terminus, surveying the Middlesbrough branch line (and the alternative route not chosen at Haverton Hill) in 1827. He attended parliamentary committees to be cross examined on the proposed Middlesbrough branch in 1828, designed a stone bridge to cross the old route of the river Tees, oversaw and contracted out the work on the Middlesbrough branch – much of his work overlapping with his work on the Haggerleases. He also designed and oversaw the construction of the Goods Shed at North Road in Darlington between 1832-3, designed new bridges as part of the widening of the S&DR mainline in 1831-3 and trained up the S&DR’s next engineer John Harris who took over in 1836.
No wonder at the opening ceremony of the Haggerleases branch, one of the many toasts was to ‘– “Mr Storey”, to whose professional skill and individual perseverance the Company and the public are alike indebted”.
He was the consulting engineer for the Prince of Wales tunnel at Shildon. He projected and formed the Great North of England Railway, of which he was the Engineer-in-chief. That included surveying the line between Darlington and York and building 77 bridges between the two towns. Only one of them collapsed!
He also projected and formed the Auckland and Weardale Railway, built the first Bishop Auckland station, and he was engaged on various other lines.
After leaving the NER he set up a smaller business in St. Helen Auckland. In that capacity he built houses including a row in Flintoff Street (off Newgate Street) in Bishop Auckland in the mid 1840s. Flintoff was his daughter Hannah’s married name.
‘In person, Mr. Storey was tall and athletic, and capable of undergoing great fatigue. He possessed great decision of character, and was deservedly respected for his strict integrity and honesty of purpose. He was as scrupulously just, as an employer, towards those who served under him, as he had been when an agent, to those under whom he served. During the last few years, he lived in retirement, his health not permitting him to undertake any great public work.’
He lived on what is now called 67 Manor Road in St. Helen Auckland at the time of his death (at the time this was called Main Road or Front Street). He died after a short illness, on the 15th of October 1859, aged seventy years old. This was only three days after Robert Stephenson whose death dominated the local press.

BOOK LAUNCH: S&DR - THE YARM BRANCH
2022-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Cleveland Bay Pub, Eaglescliffe, Eaglescliffe

Anniversary walk in Shildon
2022-07-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Shildon Railway Institute, Shildon, DL4 2JJ, United Kingdom
SUNDAY 17th JULY – The anniversary of the opening of the Timothy Hackworth Museum in Timothy Hackworth’s House (Soho) in 1975 –At SHILDON RAILWAY INSTITUTE with area groups . Afternoon Walk from the STUTE to the historic buildings at Locomotion and Timothy Hackworth’s House. (To be organised by the STUTE and the Friends of the S&DR).

2022-06-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Stationmaster’s House, West Auckland, DL14 9EX, United Kingdom
Invite!
Working with our partners the Gaunless Gateway, there is to be a general tidy up around the Gaunless abutments and also the graveyard of St. Helen parish church DL14 (where several S&DR key players are buried) on Thursday 9th June.
Meet for breakfast (bacon tea coffee etc) in the Arc St. Helen parish church from 9.00am. As with previous tidies, tea /toilets will be provided care of the former station masters house of 1872 at St Helen’s. Sturdy footwear and a can-do attitude are essential. Do bring any hand tools you can. High Viz vests will be provided.

Rail Heritage Quarter Walkabout
2022-06-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Hopetown
Friends are invited to join me on a walkabout around the Rail Heritage Quarter in Darlington on Tuesday the 7th June at 10am starting at the front of the Head of Steam Museum.
Darlington Borough Council with support from a number of other stakeholders is starting a major £25m programme of restoration and interpretation at the RHQ. As part of this a Conservation Management Plan is required to ensure better long term conservation and management of the site. This is an opportunity for the Friends to feed into that Conservation Management Plan.
The walkabout will concentrate on the outside of the buildings so we won’t be going inside any of them (detailed reports have already been written on many of them and these can be found on our web site).
Instead, the sort of things we will discuss might include: the appearance of the buildings and issues of maintenance; inter-visibility versus tree planting for wildlife; how to improve access between buildings versus vandalism; what research is still required; how to develop good working relationships between the Council and future building tenants (which could be us) and/or volunteers; options to interpret some of the structures not currently part of the proposals; does the Conservation Area capture the railway character of the area; and what opportunities does the site offer for future interpretation and research. Importantly we can also discuss what role the Friends might have in achieving any of this. I’ll introduce each building and its history as we go around.
We will specifically look at:

Skerne Bridge
The site of the first Merchandising Station
The bridge over High Northgate
The gates from Gloucester Villa (time permitting)
The Goods Agents Offices
The Goods Shed
North Road Station and museum building
The Lime Depot
Hopetown Carriageworks
The site of Kitching’s Foundry and
the big green space/ site of the former scrap yard

As with all Friends’ outings, the duration of this will depend on how much we all have to say, but I would allow at least 2.5 hours. Bring water and a snack; you could always bring a picnic for afterwards.
If you intend coming, please email me at caroline@aenvironment.co.uk and also provide the following information:
Your mobile phone number (in case we need to contact each other in the morning due to alterations in the programme)
An ICE (in Case of Emergency) contact should you find that the excitement has all been too much for you.
I will give you my mobile phone number when you sign up in case you need to contact me on the morning of the walk.
Caroline Hardie

Bicentenary of the laying of the first rail on the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the 23 May
2022-05-23 | Eaglescliffe Station
To commemorate the bicentenary of the laying of the first rail on the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the 23 May 1822, we are walking from Eaglescliffe Station to the Town Hall on Stockton High Street on the 23rd May 2022, then on to St. John’s Crossing.
For anyone interested in doing the walk please meet at Eaglescliffe Station at 11.00 am for the start at 11.15 am.
Some people will be coming by train which arrives in Eaglescliffe at 11.10 am. The route which will follow as near as possible to the original route with a few stops and minor detours is about 4 miles.
We should arrive at the Town Hall in Stockton around 2.00 pm so for anyone who does not wish to do the walk they are welcome to meet there, but the next part of the event is only open to members as numbers need to be limited.
Together we will walk down the High Street, continue along Bridge Road to St. John’s Crossing where the First Rail was laid by Thomas Meynell 200 years ago at 3.00 pm.
After Mr Meynell’s “speech” we will head back up Bridge Road and for anyone who would like refreshments we are calling into the Thomas Sheraton – Thomas & Thomas.
For anyone who is interested please contact Peter Bainbridge – membership.sdr1825@virginmedia.com
Please note that there are a limited number of places on the walk from the High Street to St. John’s Crossing as there is only a small space around the interpretation board and sculptures outside the buildings at St. John’s Crossing. Stockton Borough Council do not want large groups of visitors in this area due to it’s proximity at a very busy road junction having 2 busy 4 lane roads. Therefore this part of the event is only open to members.

WASH Riverbank clean
2022-04-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Stationmaster’s House, West Auckland, DL14 9EX, United Kingdom
W A S H together with its partners have arranged a further clean up of the riverbank
Wednesday 6th April meet at the former station masters house St Helen 9.30 for 9.45
sturdy boots sturdy gloves Refreshments use of toilets courteous of W A S H
you will need a can do attitude For further details contact jraw2883@aol.com

Zoom meeting on the 24th March to discuss HE's approach to reviewing designations at the two inclines
2022-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
A zoom meeting with Eric at Historic England to discuss his approach to reviewing the designation of the two inclines and the level area across the Gaunless in between. It will be on the 24th March at 7pm. Please feel free to invite other members of the relevant area groups too.
You might like to think about to what extent the existing designations are appropriate and whether we need to extend them to include sample areas of features such as culverts and drains, the reservoir at Brusselton, approach ramps, what to do with tunnels and level crossings and the cropmark in the field that was open casted, but not completely!
Email caroline@aenvironment.co.uk for the zoom links.

Walking the Line - The Slack to Low Lands
2022-03-19 10:30 - 15:30 | The Slack, B6282,, Butterknowle, DL13 5HX
Walking the Line – Haggerleases Branch Line. The Slack to Lands – Friday 19th March 10.30am
The second walk is from The Slack to Lands. This is 1.3 miles each way but there is much more to see so it is likely to take a while. The walk can also be extended to include the additional length of branch line added between 1839 and 1856 south of Butterknowle. Our objective and methodology is the same as walk 1.
We will start at the terminus of the branch line and walk across the open access area of Cockfield Fell following the branch line to Lands, then return again. There is likely to be more criss-crossing of the area as we look for remains. You might even find wellies useful
If you would like to join us on This walk, please email Caroline at caroline@aenvironment.co.uk and say which walk you’d like to join (or both). I will send you joining instructions/directions and screen shots of historic maps and some background information.
Please also provide your mobile phone number (in case we need to contact each other in the morning due to alterations in the programme and an ICE (in Case of Emergency) contact should you find that the excitement has all been too much for you. I will give you my mobile phone number in case you need to contact me on the morning of the walk. Please note, I have given no finishing time for these walks as it will take as long as it takes to find the features of interest and record them. I’d certainly bring snacks and a water bottle.

Gaunless Bridge Cleaning Party
2022-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Stationmaster’s House, West Auckland, West Auckland, DL14 9EX
Welly (or sturdy boot) owning people with a can-do attitude are invited to join in a clean-up of the Gaunless Bridge abutment area at West Auckland/St. Helen Auckland on Tuesday 15th March for about 2 hours.
You will be supervised by representatives of Historic England and the Wear Tees River Trust. Meet at the former Stationmaster’s house (NZ 18511 26590 or DL14 9ET) at 10am. There is some parking there but it might be easier if you park on Leazes Lane and walk down to the house – the track is parallel to the right of way that leads to the abutments).
Any questions? Email John Raw at jraw2883@aol.com.

Walking the Line - Haggerleases Branch Line West Auckland to Low Lands
2022-03-14 10:30 - 14:30 | West Auckland, Station Road, West Auckland
This is the first of two walks to explore what survives of the Haggerleases branch line opened in 1830 and whether any heritage features found require conservation. We will photograph any features found and provide an accurate grid reference and make management recommendations. We will also look at the current state of the access and interpretation and whether it needs improving. The walk will be a return trip so that we can view the remains from both directions – it is often easy to miss hidden features amongst vegetation and this helps to spot them.
We will walk from the former site of West Auckland Colliery heading west passed Spring Gardens, Craggwood, Evenwood and to Lands. Then we will turn back towards West Auckland. The total mileage will be about 6.6 miles over relatively level but sometimes muddy terrain. The main piece of rough ground is in Craggwood if we walk through the woods north of the caravan park.
If you would like to join us on this walk, please email Caroline at caroline@aenvironment.co.uk and say which walk you’d like to join (or both). I will send you joining instructions/directions and screen shots of historic maps and some background information.
Please also provide your mobile phone number (in case we need to contact each other in the morning due to alterations in the programme and an ICE (in Case of Emergency) contact should you find that the excitement has all been too much for you. I will give you my mobile phone number in case you need to contact me on the morning of the walk. Please note, I have given no finishing time for these walks as it will take as long as it takes to find the features of interest and record them. I’d certainly bring snacks and a water bottle.

Shildon Circular Guided Walk
2022-02-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Locomotion, Shildon, Dale Road, Shildon, DL4 2RE, United Kingdom
Saturday 13th February 2022. A walk led by the Brusselton Incline Group ending at Locomotion. Further details to follow.

Exhibition and consultation events regarding the proposed new build at Locomotion, Shildon
2022-01-15 09:00 - 2022-01-21 16:00 | Locomotion, Shildon, Dale Road, Shildon, DL4 2RE, United Kingdom
Next year, Locomotion in Shildon will be putting planning permission in for their new building. This is scheduled for submission in late January/early February and as part of this they will be hosting an exhibition on-site at Locomotion from 15-20 January that explains the proposal. They will also be holding two drop-in sessions – one at Locomotion from 3-7pm on 19 January and another at Shildon Library on the 21 January.

Santa at the Station
2021-12-04 - 2021-12-05 | Hopetown
Meet Santa in his magical grotto and receive a Christmas present, entertainment includes, face painting, festive music, mini train ride and arts and crafts, museum cafe will be open serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, crisps and biscuits
Adults (non members) £4, Adults (members) free, Children £8, Family Ticket £25.00 (2 adults and 3 children)
Booking via https://tinyurl.com/3ebb8s2n

S&DR Railway Exhibition, Bishop Auckland November 2021-January 2022
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-29 | People’s Community Museum, Bishop Auckland, 27 Railway Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7LR
The Friends’ area groups from West Auckland and St. Helen’s (WASH) and Brusselton (B I G) have arranged a display of S&DR artefacts, books and old railway maps etc, in the People’s Community Museum at 27 Railway Street, Bishop Auckland (located just off Newgate Street) DL14 7LR and managed by the former B I G founder member Michael O’ Neil.
This display will run from November until the end of January 2022. Unfortunately the display is in the balcony area and so is NOT suitable for wheel chair access and involves stairs.
OPENING HOURS Tuesday until Saturday from 11.00am until 8pm. Closed Mondays plus any Bank Holidays in this period. Enter through the Bingo Hall foyer and sign in.

A return trip back to 1821. Day 3
2021-10-15 09:55 - 17:00 | Skerne Bridge, Darlington, DL3 6LT
In October it will be 200 years since George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson and John Dixon surveyed the land from the coalfield around Witton Castle to the Tees.
You are invited to re-enact the journey over three days along what became in 1825 the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Please note that these walks are one-way, so you will need to arrange to return by train or arrange a car to bring you back.
Day3: Friday 15th October – Meet at Skerne Bridge, Darlington, DL3 6LT at 9.55 am. Good parking available near Head of Steam, DL3 6ST.
After leaving Skerne Bridge the first available refreshment stop is opposite Preston Park. Suggest bringing food and drink.
We will walk to St. John’s Crossing, Stockton TS18 3DG.
From Skerne Bridge we will proceed through Darlington to where the S&DR crossed the East Coast Main Line. Continuing to view the recently installed railway installations – Locomotion, Derwent, Tornado and Prince of Wales – on Haughton Road Roundabout.
Continuing along Tornado Way which roughly follows the route of the S&DR. Crossing over the A66 via the Blue Bridge we come down directly onto the track bed of the S&DR, which continues to Fighting Cocks (Middleton St. George). The original station buildings are now a dwelling and opposite is the Waiting Shed awaiting restoration. The remains of several other structures are partially hidden in the undergrowth. Continuing to Oak Tree Junction where the line from Darlington Bank Top Station joined the S&DR in 1887.
Following the A67 past Goosepool and Teesside Airport (formerly RAF Goosepool/Middleton St. George) we head for Urlay Nook where the road crosses the S&DR.
We now say goodbye to rural and hello to urban as we cut through housing developments to bring us to Allen’s West Station.
Walking through Kingsmead where the road names are all associated with the railways we then go under what was the S&DR and the Leeds Northern Railway which brings us to what was the A19.
Continuing to Eaglescliffe Station, Preston Park, Moorhouse Estate, crossing the line (literally), past where the original S&DR curved to the right towards its destination of St. John’s Crossing and finally the Coal Staithes on the River Tees in Stockton. Estimated distance 12 miles.

A return trip back to 1821. Day 2.
2021-10-14 09:55 - 18:30 | Newton Aycliffe Station, DL5 7BG
A return trip back to 1821. Day 2.
14th October 9.55am
In OCTOBER it will be 200 years since George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson and John Dixon surveyed the land from the coalfield around Witton Castle to the Tees.
You are invited to re-enact the journey over three days along what became in 1825 the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Please note that these walks are one-way, so you will need to arrange to return by train or arrange a car to bring you back.
Day 2: Meet at Newton Aycliffe Railway Station DL5 7BG at 9.55am. Good car parking available.
We will walk to Skerne Bridge Darlington DL3 6LT. There will be an amount of road walking and farm land walking. The whole of this section is live line. Visit Wiley Hill crossing keeper’s cottage (dating to after 1829). We will be met by Ross Chisholm on the outskirts of Darlington. Toilet/tea stop at North Road Railway Museum Head of Steam. After visiting Skerne Bridge visit to the Railway Tavern North Road where the Friends will be having their monthly meeting at 6.30pm. Estimated distance 9-10 miles.
You will be able to return home via North Road Railway Station.
Please keep dogs under control. Also, wear sturdy boots and bring water to drink. Wet weather gear is advisable and a hi viz vest will ensure you area visible on road sections. Walks will have been surveyed just prior to the day. This S&DR walk will have walk leader and a rear walker to make sure nobody falls behind.
Would interested folk please register by emailing John Raw or Peter Bainbridge (contact details below). Please provide a mobile number and I C E contact in case of an emergency.
You are free to walk the whole day, however, some folk have indicated that they intend to walk only a set section; this is fine.
To register contact either Peter Bainbridge, membership.sdr1825@virginmedia.com or John Raw, Jraw2883@aol.com

A return trip back to 1821. Day 1.
2021-10-13 | New Inn Crossroads at Phoenix Row, DL14 ODQ
In OCTOBER it will be 200 years since George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson and John Dixon surveyed the land from the coalfield around Witton Castle to the Tees.
You are invited to re-enact the journey over three days along what became in 1825 the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Day 1: Wednesday 13th OCTOBER– set off from the New Inn Crossroads at Phoenix Row DL14 ODQ at 9.55am and end at Newton Aycliffe Railway Station DL5 7BJ – a distance of about 8-9 miles. It will not be possible to walk on the line for all the journey as from New Shildon the line is live, but we will walk alongside it.
From the New Inn Crossroads, we will proceed to Phoenix Row, up and over Etherley Incline to St Helens, calling for a toilet/coffee stop at Broom Mill Café, and then via the Hummerbeck Bridge to Brusselton Incline where we will be met by Trevor Horner who will talk about the work of the Brusselton Incline Group (BIG). We will carry on down to New Shildon where Jane Hackworth-Young will take the group on a guided walk from the former Mason’s Arms to Hackworth’s house and his Soho Works. This will be followed by a toilet/ coffee stop at Locomotion. We will then continue walking beside the line to Newton Aycliffe and Sims Pasture.
Return home either by train or motor car.
NB There is NO car parking at New Inn Crossroads so walkers can be dropped off, or park at Phoenix Row just a little way down the road. Dogs must be kept under control; walkers should wear sturdy boots and carry drinking water. Hi-Viz Vests are required as there will be a small amount of road walking– if you do not have one, let me know.
Details of Days 2 (Thursday 14th October Newton Aycliffe to Darlington) and 3 (Friday 15th October Skerne Bridge to Stockton) to follow.
For further information, contact jraw2883@aol.com

WALKING HISTORY An invite to a guided walk along a section of the SDR 1825 Line
2021-09-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Allen’s West Station, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0FE
Start at: Allen’s West Station
Eaglescliffe, TS16 0FE.
Monday 27th September 2021 – 10:00 am.
Walk ends: Stockton, River Tees (approximately 6 miles). Finishing time of 2pm is approximate.
Return by train from Thornaby Station to Allen’s West Station.
Interested? Contact – Peter Bainbridge : 01642 868877
membership.sdr1825@virginmedia.com

WASH 196th anniversary meeting
2021-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Stationmaster’s House, West Auckland, West Auckland, DL14 9EX
On the actual morning of the S&DR’s 196th anniversary, the 27th September 2021 our WASH group (West Auckland and St. Helen Auckland) will be meeting up for a walk along the line followed by refreshments.
Meet at the Station Master’s House at West Auckland at 9.30am (parking available). NGR: NZ 18473 26633. Postcode:DL14 9EX.What 3 Words: dads.hypnotist.dull
From there, walk to Hummerbeck Bridge and back (only about a mile) for refreshments at the Station Master’s House. The invite is open to all.

Locomotion Way and Shildon's Railway History (Ian Gray)
2021-09-26 10:30 - 15:30 | Middridge Village Hall carpark, Co. Durham, DL5 7JN, United Kingdom
Start: Middridge Village Hall car park, Walkers Lane, east end of village nearest to Newton Aycliffe. DL5 7JN. NGR NZ 253260. OS Map Ex305. During the last year some of the historic buildings dating back to the 1820’s have been refurbished, at the Western end of the Locomotion Museum’s site. More information from ian.gray38@btinternet.com

Family Fun Day to celebrate the Anniversary of the S&DR
2021-09-26 | Hopetown
Looking for something to do on Sunday 26 September 2021 – Come down to Head of Steam between 10am – 4pm and join in with the Family Fun Day to celebrate the Anniversary of the S&DR
The museum cafe with be open serving a selection of sandwiches, paninis, toasties, hot and cold drinks, snacks and crisps
SDSME – South Durham Society of Model Engineers will be here with their mini train ride
Adults £2, Children £1, under 5’s are free and included in admission and yearly passes

CELEBRATING OUR RAILWAY’S BIRTHDAY – ALL ABOARD FOR S&DR SPECIALIST MARKET
2021-09-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Stockton High Street, TS18 1LR, United Kingdom
A specialist railway-themed market is heading to Stockton town centre on the 25th September as part of celebrations to mark the 196th birthday of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
The free market on Saturday, September 25 will host a range of enthusiasts, exhibitors and traders selling and showing railway related gifts and memorabilia.
The event, which is being held from 10am to 4pm, is part of the countdown to the 2025 bicentenary, which will celebrate 200 years since the first journey made on the famous Railway. It is being organised by the Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and will take place on Stockton High Street.
Visitors to the town centre will also be able to hear atmospheric sounds of the railway as they walk through Wellington Square, transporting them back in time.
Councillor Jim Beall, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: “The modern railway started in this Borough in 1825 and it’s impact since has been revolutionary in changing history, industry and the way people travel.
“This market celebrates the 196th anniversary of railway and at Saturday’s event there will be something for railway enthusiasts and all the family alike.
“So, come along to the market and join in as we gear up and go full steam ahead towards the countdown to the 2025 bicentenary.
The list of traders includes:
· Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway
· North Eastern Locomotion Preservation Group
· Railway Correspondence and Travel Society
· Weardale Railway
· Bowes Railway
· Tanfield Railway
· Durham Locomotive Preservation Group
· George Morton Transport Books
· Norton Heritage Group
· The Fitzhugh Library
· Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line
The nearest car park is at Knowle Street, but this is quite small. It can be found at TS18 1SJ. The Riverside Car park has much more capacity at TS18 1TE.

CELEBRATIONS OF THE 196th ANNIVERSARY of the S&DR
2021-09-24 13:00 - 16:15 | Toft Hill & Etherley Community Centre, DL14 0JB
Etherley & Witton Park Colliery Group at the Toft Hill Community Hall. Tom Walker demonstrates the MODEL STEAM ENGINE BUILT BY THOMAS GREENER of ETHERLEY. Register with John Raw 01833 663764; ‘e’mail: jraw2883@aol.com

Beer and Bread Guided Tour No.3
2021-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Stockton High Street, TS18 1LR, United Kingdom
The story of the navvies who built the S&DR and how they celebrated on the opening night. A guided tour around Stockton’s taverns. No free beer but free nibbles at the end of the walk. Meet at the Market Cross at 7pm and bring your ticket with you. Book your tickets here: johnharris@interacting.info

Beer and Bread Guided Tour No.2
2021-09-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Stockton High Street, TS18 1LR, United Kingdom

Beer and Bread Tour No.1
2021-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Stockton High Street, TS18 1LR, United Kingdom

Brusselton Incline Group Open Day
2021-09-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Whistle Stop Cafe, Redworth Road, Shildon
On Saturday 18th September, the Brusselton Incline Group, an area group of the Friends of the S&DR, will be hosting an open day from 10.00 am. This will be held in the Whistle Stop Cafe, Redworth Road in New Shildon, the Cradle of the Railways.
A display of the work carried out by the group since 2014 will be on view. Information about the 2025 vision for the whole area of the line will be available. Members of the public are invited to get involved in the group’s activities.
