A celebratory dinner for the engineers and local dignitaries was held to mark the momentous occasion. There was even fear of an accident occurring due to the number of people gathered to see the train arrive:. Durham County Advertiser 6 October There was also scepticism and even fear, however, and some spectators were terrified of Locomotion and the hissing noises it made.
But there was clearly an outpouring of curiosity and the gathered crowds were excited to see the new technology. The arrival of the railway catalysed significant changes for Shildon as a town and the local area as well as national industry.
Passenger services started running in October , run by private contractors using horse-drawn coaches such as the Union. Locomotives gradually replaced horses on the railway line, and from a steam-hauled passenger service was in operation. The new industry led to a population boom in Shildon from just in to over 2, by as more and more people moved to the town for work. The settlement expanded rapidly into New Shildon and the town became home to railway works, a Mechanics' Institute and other businesses and organisations associated with the railways.
Previously, canals had dominated this market. Other railways were small and focused on a single or few collieries, and many were exclusively horse-powered too. The railway owned the track and allowed contractors to use it for a fee.
The passenger transport and coal industries that the railway allowed to flourish certainly impacted positively on the future of the railways.
Their growth proved that steam locomotives were the future and encouraged adoption of the technology, drastically shrinking the world for most people and improving material conditions. Fresh produce, opportunities for work and up-to-date information all became vastly more accessible with the rise of the railways.
There is a long history of commemoration in the railway industry, and an achievement as notable as the opening of the first steam-hauled passenger railway was marked and remembered numerous times over the years.
This celebration included the unveiling of a statue to Joseph Pease in Darlington which is still standing today. It was powered by a petrol motor, with burning rags in the chimney to give the appearance of being in steam. Afterwards it was displayed in Darlington, where people allegedly took chips off the chimney as souvenirs. Festivities surrounding the th anniversary commemoration included a procession of historic locomotives at Shildon.
Considering the tiny population at the start of the 19th century, Shildon did grow enormously as a result of the railways. In many ways it was left behind by the closure of the wagon works in , and the general move away from railways to road and air travel harmed the growth of the town in the 20th century.
This was exacerbated by the fact that Shildon didn't have a second coming as a popular tourist destination, unlike many older towns with visible medieval heritage and despite its more recent historic importance. But as we've seen, Shildon does have a fascinating and vital story to tell as the cradle of the railways.
Immerse yourself in the history of the early railways with these stories from Locomotion and the National Railway Museum :. Discover the incredible impact the arrival of the railways had on the town of Shildon, County Durham.
Javascript is disabled. You are here: Home Objects and stories. Published: 12 October Story Content Why did the railways come to Shildon? The line was single track. Square sleepers supported each track separately — this allowed horses pulling wagons to walk between the tracks. Stephenson used sleepers made from oak on track to the west of Darlington and stone to the east. The first steam locomotive to run on the line was called Locomotion No 1.
It pulled a carriage named Experiment. Other locomotives used on the line were called Hope, Black Diamond and Diligence. George Stephenson told me as a young man that railways will supersede almost all other methods of conveyance in this country… [they] will become the great highway for the king and all his subjects.
The trains used on the railway were not always safe. The boiler of locomotive number 5 exploded at Simpasture Junction in March One of the two firemen was killed, the other severely scalded.
In July the same year, the boiler of Locomotion No. See all projects nominated for the Peoples' Choice Award. The job you end up with in civil engineering is likely to link back to what you studied at school, college or university. Here you can see your options at any age. Stockton and Darlington Railway Year: Connected communities. Economy boosted. Not greeted with universal admiration when it was unveiled, it has become an integral part of the area and certainly helped generate a lot of press interest at the time of its construction.
Despite looking to the future, Darlington has not forgotten its rail heritage. Thanks to the commitment of 21st century enthusiasts, a number of steam locomotives — the most famous of which is Tornado — are being built and preserved for future generations, putting the town well and truly back on the railway map. Click here to find out how! Skip to content Facebook Twitter Instagram. This website uses cookies to improve your experience.
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