Tales from the Rails

Education

This month on Tales from the Rails, we are talking about education.
Who had an education or skills in the early days of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, who didn’t, and how did senior S&DR staff decide to improve educational standards amongst its workers? And did the workers appreciate this? Did engine drivers prefer to fry their pocket watches in the pub?
We are joined this month by Dave Reynolds of Shildon Railway Institute, which just happens to be the earliest railway institute in the world.
Dave has written a book on the history of ‘The Stute’ called An Insatiable First: 190 Years of Shildon's Pioneering Railway Institute (you can buy it on Amazon at the link below).
We are also joined by Timothy Hackworth’s Great Great Granddaughter, Jane Hackworth-Young. Timothy had a lot to do with improving the literacy of the workforce – while he wasn’t improving the reliability and efficiency of the locomotives. Listen in and find out more.Other links in this month's episode include:
BooksOur very own illustrated limited edition hardback coffee table book, The Stockton & Darlington Railway 1825-2025Dave Reynolds' An Insatiable First: 190 Years of Shildon's Pioneering Railway InstituteRobert Young's authoritative Timothy Hackworth and the LocomotiveMike Norman's It Wasn't Rocket Science
CompetitionsResearch on the RailsWrite on TrackRailway 200 Poetry and Prose Project

Celebrations

Happy 199th anniversary to the Stockton & Darlington Railway!
In this month’s Tales from the Rails we are in party mood! From the laying of the first rail through to the days of British Rail, significant events and dates for the Stockton & Darlington Railway have been celebrated locally and nationally with visitors joining in the fun from abroad. We look at how and why they partied and speculate about the celebratory events in 2025.
In keeping with the party spirit, this is also a musical edition with examples of music played in 1825 thanks to Queen Victoria’s Consort and we are privileged to include the newly released Pioneers from the album Passengers & Pioneers by Sam Slatcher, due out in 2025 and the evocative Take Me Home, a sonically written poem by Lizzie Lovejoy.
Our Star of the S&DR is chief party organiser for the S&DR, Thomas Meynell. Chris Lloyd of the Northern Echo joins us to recount the time when he was lost for words. Meynell, that is. Not Chris. Chris is never lost for words.
Enjoy!

America

We know that before, during and after the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, engineers and railway promoters came to visit to see how a modern railway was run.
By modern railway we mean a railway that was a publicly available, permanent transport infrastructure that carried anything, including passengers) for a fee.
There was a period of time from 1825-1830 that the S&DR was really the only place that could be done. So this month we consider to what extent the Stockton & Darlington Railway influenced the development of railroads in America.
Joining us to help us navigate American railroads is Jonathan Ratcliffe, the secretary for the Friends of the S&DR.
In Stars of the S&DR we will visit Edward and Rachel Pease on Northgate in Darlington. Without them there would have been no S&DR.
And as usual, we outline news and events towards the end of the podcast.

Hopetown

This month we are looking at the latest S&DR visitor attraction to entice people from near and far – that is Hopetown in Darlington. This major visitor attraction is centred on an internationally significant collection of S&DR railway buildings. This podcast will explore these buildings and the new attraction that is the result of £35 million worth of funding.
In stars of the S&DR we will also learn a little about George Stephenson. No, not the world renowned engineer George Stephenson, but a different one! Listen to find out more. 
Discover the fascinating stories and events from the past month and find out about upcoming events (even more of them now that 2025 looms near) and the latest news on the conservation, interpretation and commemoration of the S&DR.
So, plug in your headphones and enjoy a journey through railway history, heritage, and the vibrant community efforts leading up to the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.
Many thanks to Archie Mackay for editing this while on holiday and to Niall Hammond for covering for Archie while Archie had Covid. Thanks also to Lee Morris for being George Stephenson and to Dave Reynolds for our theme music. A special thank you to Janet Preshous of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and Richard Snowden of the Darlington Railway Preservation Society for joining us at Hopetown.

Locomotion No.1

Welcome to the fifth episode of Tales from the Rails, our monthly podcast commemorating the Stockton and Darlington Railway. As we approach the 200th anniversary in 2025 of the opening of the S&DR, hosts Caroline Hardie and Archie MacKay delve into the fascinating history and legacy of this pioneering railway.
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Locomotion No.1, the the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s first locomotive which opened the railway on the 27th September 1825.
Our special guest this month is Dr. Michael Bailey who has co-written a report on the engine with Peter Davidson for the National Railway Museum. Michael has kindly shared the research and findings, shedding light on the engine's fascinating past and its numerous rebuilds. Who actually designed and made it? How do you get a locomotive from the manufactory in Newcastle to the S&DR? Who were its first passengers? What colour was it on the opening day? When did it get its various names, No.1 and Active? How was it altered over time and what survives, if anything, of the original 1825 locomotive?
Additionally, we spotlight James Stephenson, also known as Jem, Locomotion No.1's first regular driver and brother of the famous George Stephenson. Discover more about this less well-known Stephenson and some of the colourful anecdotes associated with him.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events, news from the past month, and how you can get involved in the preparations for the 2025 celebrations. Join us for another engaging journey through the history of the railway that got the world on track.
This podcast is brought to you by the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. For more information, visit our website at www.sdr1825.org.uk.

Building Bridges

Join hosts Caroline Hardie and Archie MacKay in the fourth episode of Tales from the Rails as they delve into the history of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, celebrating its upcoming 200th anniversary in 2025.
This episode focuses on the crucial role of railway bridges, spotlighting the Gaunless Bridge and the Skerne Bridge, their design, construction, and significance.
Discover the fascinating stories behind these engineering feats and learn about the pioneering people like Ralph Day who contributed to the railway's success.
Special guest Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator of Rail Transport and Technology at the National Railway Museum at Locomotion, shares insights on the recent relocation and restoration of the Gaunless Bridge ironwork which is now sited outside the newly opened New Hall.
Find out about upcoming events and the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate this monumental piece of railway history. Whether you're a railway enthusiast or just curious about the past, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the world of early railway engineering.
Thank you once more to Dave Reynolds for composing our theme tune. Thanks also to Darlington based actor, Lee Morris, who features as Ignatius Bonomi and to Alfie Nixon, who took the role of John Carter.
Links
Links in this Episode: 
Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway
Donate to the Save Heighington Station campaign
S&DR Events Calendar
S&DR Community Fund
Buy at the S&DR Shop

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