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September 27th 1825 - Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Click on the image above to view a copy of the invitation to the opening ceremony

On the 27th September 1825 the Stockton to Darlington Railway was officially opened.  Invitations were sent to the local nobility and landed gentry to travel along the 25 mile route from Shildon to Stockton. Huge crowds had gathered at Shildon, Co. Durham to watch the coal wagons being hauled up two inclines at Ethereley and Brusselton collieries.

Locomotion No. 1 and the coach Experiment was waiting for the coal wagons at the Mason's Arms Crossing in Shildon. A Plaque was mounted on the public house to mark the special occasion, and what an occasion it must have been. George Stephenson and his brother James rode on the footplate, of the brightly painted six ton locomotive, whilst Timothy Hackworth acted as the guard.



The Masons Arms in Shildon, Co. Durham where Locomotion No. 1 started its historic journey


Below are some paintings which captured the magic of this historic day
 

The Coach Experiment had cost £80 to build, and was really a grander version of a road stage coach, carpeted and red cushioned, though unsprung. Its side-facing seats could hold between 16 - 18 passengers and it was here that that local celebrities and dignitaries were carried in style, compared with the rough open cauldron or coal wagons used for the other passengers. Pictured right are two drawings of the coach 'Experiment'

It took two hours to travel the nine miles from Shildon to Darlington, this includes time to remove a broken wagon from the train. Actual travelling time was about 65 minutes, with an average speed with 8mph. In Darlington some of the wagons carrying coal were unloaded and given to the poor people of the parish. On arrival at Yarm Junction a brass band joined the train to complete the last leg of the journey. At 3.45pm Locomotion No.1 arrived in Stockton. The train was welcomed by a large cheering crowd, the National Anthem and a 21 gun salute.

Pictured left is a photograph of a replica of Locomotion No.1 at Beamish Museum.