Tyne Tees Television documentary about the celebration that took place in the region to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington Railway (1825 - 1975). The programme was originally broadcast in September 1975. [Picture sequence missing] A crowd watch a full size working replica of the Robert Stephenson-designed  'Locomotion No. 1' steam engine rolled out on the Stockton to Darlington Railway as celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Stockton to...

Tyne Tees Television documentary about the celebration that took place in the region to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington Railway (1825 - 1975). The programme was originally broadcast in September 1975. [Picture sequence missing] A crowd watch a full size working replica of the Robert Stephenson-designed  'Locomotion No. 1' steam engine rolled out on the Stockton to Darlington Railway as celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington Railway get underway. The commentary talks about the engine's history, built by ICI apprentices on Teesside, organised by 'The Locomotion Trust'. The engine is again a crowd puller as a quarter of a million people line the same stretch of the railway to watch Locomotion No. 1 lead a procession of steam engines, 'a unique cavalcade of juggernauts that is never likely to be seen again'. Interview with the organiser, Michael Sarto, at the opening of the 150th birthday celebrations in March 1975. A brass band march through Stockton town centre. The Mayor officially opens the celebrations. Over at Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum, in March 1975, a woman is attempting to break a bottle of champagne on the replica Locomotion No. 1 for the unveiling ceremony, without much luck. She hops off the podium to energetically complete the task. An interview follows with a man who explains how it was constructed to conform to present day regulations, whilst still looking authentic. The North Road Station at Darlington is being transformed into a museum (called the Head of Steam) to house the various old engines pictured. A selection of souvenirs are displayed in the museum. Interview with local businessman and campaigner Herbert Wolf about some of the medals that are being issued. Women organise one display, one showing off her souvenir plastic apron. Stills follow of the prints on display. General view of people walking along the new 'rail trail' along the only closed section of the original Stockton - Darlington line, led by young women guides in promotional T shirts and shorts. Shots of places of historical interest such as the Brusselton Engine Sheds where the original 'Locomotion' was housed, original railway cottages, sleepers hewn from stone, are intercut with a speech by an unidentified official who sees this as a unique and important relic for the North East. General view of Bute Street, Stockton-on-Tees, Interview with a councillor who says there were proposals to preserve the street as a fine example of Victorian red-brick terraced housing, as the heritage bug sweeps the region. A historical costume parade takes place in Darlington. Interview with a couple at the parade who talk about the nostalgia of steam trains. A woman explains how the costume designs were extensively researched and carefully made. General view of a model railway exhibition and interview with the organiser. General views and aerials show various locomotives arriving for the Cavalcade of Steam in August, the highlight of the anniversary celebrations, led by Locomotion No. 1. Thousands of people from all over the country line the route between Shildon and Heighington. Interview with Colonel Naughton at Heighington about the celebrations and the safety aspect of the locomotives. The many types of engines in the cavalcade roll out including the 'Princess Elizabeth' No. 6201 in LMS colours; the 'Flying Scotsman' No. 4472 in LNER colours; 'Sir Nigel Gresley' No. 4498; 'Morayshire' No. 246 and finally the new 1975 British Rail Inter-City Service High Speed Train prototype. Credit: Tyne Tees TV Tyne Tees Colour