Railway200 in the Durham Area
The Stockton and Darlington Railway opened on 27th Sept 1825. Railway200 is a year-long celebration of 200 years of the railways.
Below is a summary of some of the railway related locations and events around Durham City. You can download this list as a pdf.
For an overview of activities around the country see SDR200
Special exhibitions
The Story, Mount Oswald, Durham
25th May 2025 – 26th Jan 2026
All Change! The social impact of the Stockton and Darlington railway in the 200 years after 1825. An exhibition focusing on the impact of passenger railways on NE life
Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland
27th Jun – 24th Dec
Fuelling the Railway Revolution – the link between coal mining and railways
25th Sept 2025 – 26th Jan 2026
Dressed for departure – fashion in the age of rail. Exhibition showcases fashion, toys and artworks which reflect on how the railway reshaped lives and culture.
From summer following refurbishment work
Tracks of change – exhibition exploring the legacy of the S&DR.
All Aboard interactive exhibition for children with replica steam train and play zones
Art exhibitions.
Millenium Pace, Durham
17th -18th Oct
WOW North East – exhibition focusing on women.
Railway walks
Between March and Oct book on a free guided walk run by the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Do a Self-guided walk along old railway routes:
Auckland Way: Spennymoor to Bishop Auckland Railway Path - Auckland Way (PDF, 4 MB)
Brandon - Bishop Auckland Way: Broompark to Bishop Auckland Railway Path - Brandon-Bishop (PDF, 3 MB)
Deerness Valley Way: Broompark to Crook
Derwent Walk: Blackhill, Consett to Rowlands Gill Railway Path - Derwent Walk (PDF, 7 MB)
Hart - Haswell Way: Monk Hesledon to Wingate
Hawthorn - Ryhope Way: Seaton to South Hetton
Hurworth Burn Railway Path (joins the Castle Eden walkway): Hurworth Burn, near Trimdon to Wingate Railway Path - Hurworth Burn - Station Town (PDF, 1 MB)
Kelloe Way: Southeast of Kelloe Railway Path - Kelloe Way (PDF, 5 MB)
Lanchester Valley Way: Consett to Broompark Railway Path - Lanchester Valley (PDF, 4 MB)
Pittington Way: East of Belmont Railway Path - Pittington Way (PDF, 2 MB)
Raisby Way: Southeast of Trimdon Grange Railway Path - Raisby Way (PDF, 3 MB)
Sherburn Way: South of Sherburn Railway Path - Railway Path - Sherburn Way (PDF, 3 MB)
Waskerley Way: Consett to Stanhope Railway Path - Waskerley Way (PDF, 2 MB)
West Auckland - Ramshaw: St Helen Auckland to Ramshaw
Railway museums
Locomotion, National Railway Museum, Shildon
Railway Firsts : A new exhibition at Locomotion and the National Railway Museum highlighting a collection of stories, both famous and unexpected, that have shaped the railways—and our history. Encounter pop-ups as you move through the museum with amazing “firsts” that may just surprise you.
School holiday activities (across 2025): Bust the boredom with themed interactive activities running across all UK school holiday periods.
April: Movement and Journeys.
Summer: Railways: Present.
October: Past, Present and Future—highlights of the year and memory making.
December: S&DR 200.
Friends of the National Railway Museum North East talks (February-April) FNRM NE will be bringing a new season of free talks to Locomotion, taking a deep dive into the story of the railways. Check the Locomotion website
Hopetown Railway Museum, Darlington
Visitors of all ages will enjoy immersive art installations and augmented-reality digital games, see treasured artworks in the region for the first time, join thousands of others for awe-inspiring outdoor events and see some of the world’s favourite locomotives.
Rail enthusiasts and budding historians will be able to hear from experts in their fields and will delve into the future of travel.
Heritage steam train rides, special events and experiences happening all year.
· All May - Great North Festival of Railways – diesel and steam trains in action, guided tours of Marley Hill engine shed and Causey Arch
Heritage train rides and seasonal diesel passenger service in the scenic Wear Valley
The world’s only standard gauge cable railway
Museum, tearoom
Open Tues and Thurs for guided tours at 10.00, 13.00
Stephenson Railway Museum, Wallsend
Heritage train rides, miniature railway
Other ideas
From May 2025.
“Trail of discovery” online game to play as you follow a walking/ cycling route in the area https://www.sdr200.co.uk/article/16704/Trail-of-Discovery-Game
