Dig uncovers secrets of first public railway

Archaeologists are working on a section of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway Line

Archaeologists have said they have uncovered ''fascinating new features" to show how the world's first public railway was built.

An archaeological dig has been taking place on a section of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway Line (S&DR) at Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees, which was in use between 1825 and 1852.

The 26-mile line from Shildon to Stockton was the first public railway to use steam locomotives to carry passengers and freight, transforming the way people traded, travelled and communicated.

Among the finds are stone sleepers and clues about how the line was dismantled in the mid-19th Century.

Dr Emma Watson, who is leading the project, said: ''Some of things we've discovered are unheard of and unknown and have changed the way we understand this area.''

She said it had been thought that only timber sleepers were used east of Darlington, but the team discovered eight broken stone sleepers with their original markings which indicated they had also been used on that section of the track.

Dr Emma Watson says the team has made "unheard of" discoveries

Tees Archaeology, the organisation behind the dig, said it also found evidence of what was carried on the tracks, which was mainly coal, coke and limestone.

The team also uncovered metalwork which helped them understand how the track bed had been dismantled in 1852.

The organisation said the task had been an ''unprecedented honour".

Eight stone sleepers have been uncovered in the dig

The dig was part of a host of events and celebrations that have been taking place this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the line.

Reuben Kench from Stockton Council said the response from the public to the celebrations "has illustrated the pride they feel, saying this is our area and this is our achievement".

The first journey on the S&DR took place on 27 September 1825.