Tales from the Rails

Heighington Station

In this month's Tales from the Rails …
Experience the birth and transformation of the world's earliest railway station
This month’s podcast is all about the S&DR’s station at Heighington on Aycliffe Lane, located half way between Shildon and Darlington.
In 1826 the railway company commissioned a number of important buildings including a ‘cottage’ at Heighington. This cottage had many of the functions of a railway station at a time when such a thing had not yet been invented. As such it was recently upgraded to being a grade II* listed building and is now known as the world’s earliest railway station.
We also look into the life of John Falcus Carter who was appointed as a mason and clerk of works to the S&DR on numerous occasions. One of his many jobs was to design and oversee the works at Heighington Station.
As usual we will cover the news of the last month and forthcoming events as we steam ahead to 2025.
Thank you once more to Dave Reynolds for composing our theme tune. And thanks also to Lee Morris once again this month. The Darlington based actor from Tall Tales Mysteries features in this podcast as Robert Metcalf.
Links
Links in this Episode: 
Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway
Save Heighington Station
Donate to the Save Heighington Station campaign
S&DR Events Calendar
S&DR Community Fund
Buy at the S&DR Shop

Importance of the S&DR

In this month's Tales from the Rails …
We’ll focus on just what is so important about the Stockton & Darlington Railway?  Why all the fuss? And why is the whole country marking its 200th anniversary in 2025, not just the residents of Stockton and Darlington?
As usual we will also, in Stars of the S&DR, find out more about the pioneering people who worked on the railway. This week will be about Mrs Anderson of Spout Lane, Thickley, New Shildon.
We’ll also be letting you know all about events that are coming down the line, so fetch your diaries, make a cup of tea, put your feet up and enjoy the ride on the railway that got the world on track.
Thank you once more to Dave Reynolds for composing our theme tune. Thank you too this week to Lee Morris, Darlington based actor from Tall Tales Mysteries who features briefly in this podcast as Edward Pease.
Links in this Episode: 
Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway
Save Heighington Station
Donate to the Save Heighington Station campaign
S&DR Events Calendar
S&DR Community Fund
Books and Reports:
Friends of the S&DR Online Library
Rocket Man with Cousin Jacks - Robert Stephenson in Colombia
An Insatiable First - 190 years of the Shildon's Pioneering Railway Institute
 

27 September 1825 - The Opening Day

Journey back in time to 1825 with our podcast series, Tales from the Rails.
Hosted by archaeologist and trustee of the Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway, Caroline Hardie, alongside South West Durham News Managing Editor, Archie MacKay, this engaging series brings to life the history and milestones of the Stockton & Darlington Railway; the railway that got the world on track.
With fun facts, unforgettable tales, and insightful interviews lined up, this series promises to be an exhilarating ride on the world's first modern railway.
In our introductory episode, we explore the opening day celebrations of the S&DR, sift through forthcoming events and recent news and in Stars of the S&DR, we learn all about the S&DR's civil engineer Thomas Storey.
Brought to you by the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, our series serves as a homage to the heritage and influence of this important milestone in railway development. Caroline and Archie would also like to acknowledge the support of Dave Reynolds of Shildon's Railway Institute (the world's first!), who wrote and performed our musical jingles.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a railway aficionado, or just a curious listener, Tales from the Rails promises an adventurous exploration of railway heritage. So sit back, relax, and join Caroline and Archie on this immersive journey through the tracks of time!Links in this Episode: 
Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway
Save Heighington Station
Donate to the Save Heighington Station campaign
S&DR Events Calendar
Little Loco's Big Day - Book and online activities
Locomotion Shildon