Restored steam engine replica ready for journey

The Locomotion No 1 replica will travel from Shildon to Stockton over the weekend

A restored replica of Locomotion No 1 will return to the birthplace of railways to recreate its first famous journey.

Tens of thousands of people lined the route on 27 September 1825 to witness history being made as the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened.

It was the first public railway in the world to use steam locomotives to carry passengers and freight, and was credited by rail historians for changing the way people traded, travelled and communicated.

Among a host of events to mark the 200th anniversary, a replica of George and Robert Stephenson's steam engine will make the journey over the course of this weekend from Shildon to Stockton.

The replica was built in 1975 part of the 150th anniversary celebrations but it has needed major modifications over the last two years to allow it to run on a main line.

Driver Chris Cubitt said he had "steam in his veins" and it would be "an absolute honour and a privilege" to be at the helm for the trip.

He attended the Cavalcade of Steam at Shildon in 1975 and said he dreamed then of being involved in the 200th anniversary celebrations.

Chris Cubitt will drive the Locomotion No 1 replica

Steve Davies, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said the whole project had given him a newfound admiration for the people who built the original engine, which is housed at Locomotion rail museum in Shildon.

"We've had enough challenges and we've got all this state-of-the-art technology," Mr Davies said. "But 200 years ago they were just blacksmiths hammering away and hoping it would work.

"How they managed what they did was amazing."

On opening day in 1825 the original Locomotion No 1 pulled up to 30 wagons carrying mainly coal, 12 of which had started the day 26 miles (42km) away from Stockton in Witton Park, County Durham.

The train, which also had a VIP coach called Experiment to carry the railway's directors, travelled at an average speed of 8mph and was seen off with a 21-gun salute.

The replica Locomotion No 1 will pull three wagons and a passenger cart

The restored replica will pull three traditional coal wagons and a passenger carriage called Experiment, although there will be no people on board due to safety reasons.

Several viewing points have been organised along the route and the replica will leave Shildon Locomotion Museum at about 11:45 BST on Friday morning.

There will be cultural events and performances along the line as the replica stops at different points along the route – before completing its journey at about 12:00 on Sunday at Stockton Station.