'Beautiful moment' as steam train crosses bridge

Locomotion No 1 crossed Skerne Bridge on the second day of its journey

Crowds turned out to watch a replica of a historic steam engine cross the oldest railway bridge still in use for trains in the world.

Locomotion No 1 is recreating the first British passenger rail journey as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR).

The engine, with three coal wagons and a passenger carriage, set off from Shildon on Friday and is due to arrive in Stockton on Sunday.

Some people travelled long distances to view the train crossing the Skerne Bridge in Darlington, in what they described as a "beautiful moment".

The replica engine was built in 1975 for the 150th anniversary of the railway and has been lovingly restored to allow it to take part in the weekend's celebrations.

Organisers said its journey from Shildon attracted an estimated 10,000 spectators, with the same number for the Darlington leg.

About 20,000 are expected to turn out for the final part on Sunday.

• What's so special about the S&DR?

The crossing of Locomotion No 1 over the Skerne Bridge features in many illustrations from the railway's 1825 opening day

Lyn Rogers, who helped restore the engine, was among the crowds at a viewpoint beneath Skerne Bridge, which was built for the railway and featured in paintings and illustrations made of the maiden journey on 27 September 1825.

The 93-year-old said: "I felt slightly tearful seeing it come over the bridge.

"It just represents 200 years of innovation from an agricultural society to where we are today with space travel. It was a beautiful moment."

Elaine Stewart, whose father was a steam train driver, said it made her think of think of loved ones

For some, the connection felt personal. Elaine Stewart, who is originally from Darlington, travelled back up from her home in Manchester especially for the occasion.

She said: "It was amazing. When I was 14, I was at the 150th anniversary.

"My dad John Morgan was a steam train driver, my granddad was a signal man on the railways, so trains are in the family.

"But seeing it just made me think of loved ones who are no longer here."

The S&DR began at Witton Park in County Durham with wagons pulled by horses or static engines up the inclines until they got to Shildon, where the Locomotion No 1 took over.