HISTORIC STANHOPE TO EDINBUFGH TRAIN JOURNEY TO CELEBRATE 200 TH ANNIVERSARY
AN historic train trip designed to celebrate the 200 th anniversary of the first passenger rail journey
set off from Stanhope station on Saturday morning.
Folk from near and far arrived for the 7.02am 125 InterCity train that took them not only along the
same track of the very first passenger rail ride but all the way down Dale. With some stunning
scenery, glimpses of wildlife and a view of Weardale not usually seen by car, bus or even on foot,
thrilled the passengers.
This very special ‘Edinburgh Express’ was operated by Excursions by Rail and was to follow the
route, on modern lines, of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. It also covered the route of the
Weardale Railway, of course, and the normally freight-only Stillington Line.
The 125 InterCity train with windows that opened in the doors, unlike the modern trains where
passengers are ‘entombed’ wound its way slowly to Frosterley, Wolsingham and Witton-le-Wear
stations collecting passengers on the way – crossing the viaduct at Witton Park with views that took
your breath away. Along it trundled, to Bishop Auckland ‘West’ station and then on through the
mile-long Shildon tunnel to Heighington and Newton Aycliffe before journeying to Eaglescliffe
station.
Although it wasn’t Stephenson’s Locomotion No 1, the old train gave it her all with enthusiasts at
every station, taking photographs and waving it through.
Meanwhile, the Darlington and Stockton Railway Youth Team in their smart, pressed uniforms and
ever-present smiles attended to the passengers. They worked in the Buffet train, offering hot and
cold drinks and hot and cold food and catering for every passenger’s needs.
Delightfully, the train continued past Stockton station and on to Darlington, Durham, Chester-le-
Street and Newcastle, over the Tyne where all those on board had spectacular views of the bridges.
The atmosphere on board was friendly with Weardale folk mixing with enthusiasts and people from
around the country. All ages, from pensioners to toddlers, enjoyed the sights, the sounds and the
waves from those who witnessed the spectacle.
Eventually, the train and its on-board crew passengers were piped into Edinburgh’s Waverley
station by a piper in full national costume. It was a wonderfully warm day and as the 125’s
passengers alighted for four hours of everything the Scottish capital had to offer – and it was in the
middle of The Fringe.
At every turn, on every street corner, there was free entertainment and the friendly welcome of
the Scots. Free museums, churches, shops and scenery were all there for the taking in the warm
sunshine.
At 5pm, Number 9 platform was full of tired but contented passengers awaiting the return journey
aboard the 125 to Weardale. Again, there was everything they could desire, including the sights
missed on the first trip – the Northumberland coastline, glimpses of Holy Island and Dunbar Cement
Works – as they sat back and drank it all in.
As the sun began to set, the train trundled back through all of the stations with even more
trainspotters welcoming them in and waving them out. It was dark as it progressed slowly through
Witton-le-Wear with the Langstaff-Wood family waving torches as it passed. Eventually, it ended its
journey at Stanhope at almost 11pm with the passengers making their weary way home, satisfied
they had witnessed and experienced history, past and present.
