Train fans urged to stay off tracks as railway celebrates 200 years

Railway enthusiasts are being urged to stay off the tracks when a train re-enacts the birth of the modern railway 200 years ago.

Thousands of people are expected to line the route when a newly restored replica of Locomotion No.1 runs on sections of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway line in County Durham between Friday and Sunday.

It is part of year-long celebrations to mark the opening of the line on September 27 1825.

Locomotion No.1 was the first steam locomotive to pull a passenger-carrying train on a public railway.

Network Rail warned people planning to view the journeys that trespassing on the railways “poses a significant danger”.

Operations director Karen Duffy said: “We want the viewing public to have a fantastic time during this celebratory weekend, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep safe.

“The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers, and it’s never acceptable for the public to trespass on to the track for any reason.

“Our message is simple: enjoy the spectacle of the anniversary journey, but please do so from one of the designated viewing locations.”

The bicentenary is also being marked with viewings of the original Locomotion No.1, an exhibition train showcasing 200 years of railway innovation, live music and entertainment.

The replica of Locomotion No.1 was taken on a test run at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, County Durham, on Thursday.

Sarah Price, head of the museum, told the PA news agency the region is having “the hugest party” to mark the anniversary.

She said: “There’s a real buzz in the air.

“People can get a sense of what it was like 200 years ago.”

The replica is “as close to the original as we can possibly make it”, she added.

“If somebody was able to time travel, they would recognise that train from something they saw.”