Richmond Branch Celebrates 200 Years of Railway History in Darlington

On 27th September 1825, George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1 made its historic journey from Shildon to Stockton via Darlington — marking the birth of passenger rail travel. In 2025, the 200th anniversary of this milestone is being celebrated with a summer of railway-themed events, including a vibrant Fringe Festival tied to the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Richmond Branch of the RSCDS joined the festivities with a special afternoon of Scottish Country Dancing at Hopetown, Darlington’s new railway heritage attraction. The venue, built around the original station and still-active stretch of track, offered the perfect setting to entertain visitors and showcase the joy of SCD.

The dance programme featured railway-inspired favourites, including a reel written by local teacher Terry Chater for the 175th anniversary: Locomotion No.1. Though unpublished at the time, the dance made a fitting tribute to both the locomotive and Terry’s lifelong dedication to Scottish dance.

To close the event, dancers and audience alike joined in a lively rendition of the “train dance,” powering up and down the platform with spirited movement and plenty of train sound effects — a memorable end to a day celebrating history, community, and dance.