In OCTOBER it will be 200 years since George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson and John Dixon surveyed the land from the coalfield around Witton Castle to the Tees.
You are invited to re-enact the journey over three days along what became in 1825 the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Day 1: Wednesday 13th OCTOBER– set off from the New Inn Crossroads at Phoenix Row DL14 ODQ at 9.55am and end at Newton Aycliffe Railway Station DL5 7BJ – a distance of about 8-9 miles. It will not be possible to walk on the line for all the journey as from New Shildon the line is live, but we will walk alongside it.
From the New Inn Crossroads, we will proceed to Phoenix Row, up and over Etherley Incline to St Helens, calling for a toilet/coffee stop at Broom Mill Café, and then via the Hummerbeck Bridge to Brusselton Incline where we will be met by Trevor Horner who will talk about the work of the Brusselton Incline Group (BIG). We will carry on down to New Shildon where Jane Hackworth-Young will take the group on a guided walk from the former Mason’s Arms to Hackworth’s house and his Soho Works. This will be followed by a toilet/ coffee stop at Locomotion. We will then continue walking beside the line to Newton Aycliffe and Sims Pasture.
Return home either by train or motor car.
NB There is NO car parking at New Inn Crossroads so walkers can be dropped off, or park at Phoenix Row just a little way down the road. Dogs must be kept under control; walkers should wear sturdy boots and carry drinking water. Hi-Viz Vests are required as there will be a small amount of road walking– if you do not have one, let me know.
Details of Days 2 (Thursday 14th October Newton Aycliffe to Darlington) and 3 (Friday 15th October Skerne Bridge to Stockton) to follow.
For further information, contact jraw2883@aol.com