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. Please note that these walks are one-way, so you will need to arrange to return by train or arrange a car to bring you back.
Day3: Friday 15th October – Meet at Skerne Bridge, Darlington, DL3 6LT at 9.55 am. Good parking available near Head of Steam, DL3 6ST.

After leaving Skerne Bridge the first available refreshment stop is opposite Preston Park. Suggest bringing food and drink.

We will walk to St. John’s Crossing, Stockton TS18 3DG.

From Skerne Bridge we will proceed through Darlington to where the S&DR crossed the East Coast Main Line. Continuing to view the recently installed railway installations – Locomotion, Derwent, Tornado and Prince of Wales – on Haughton Road Roundabout.

Continuing along Tornado Way which roughly follows the route of the S&DR. Crossing over the A66 via the Blue Bridge we come down directly onto the track bed of the S&DR, which continues to Fighting Cocks (Middleton St. George). The original station buildings are now a dwelling and opposite is the Waiting Shed awaiting restoration. The remains of several other structures are partially hidden in the undergrowth. Continuing to Oak Tree Junction where the line from Darlington Bank Top Station joined the S&DR in 1887.

Following the A67 past Goosepool and Teesside Airport (formerly RAF Goosepool/Middleton St. George) we head for Urlay Nook where the road crosses the S&DR.

We now say goodbye to rural and hello to urban as we cut through housing developments to bring us to Allen’s West Station.

Walking through Kingsmead where the road names are all associated with the railways we then go under what was the S&DR and the Leeds Northern Railway which brings us to what was the A19.

Continuing to Eaglescliffe Station, Preston Park, Moorhouse Estate, crossing the line (literally), past where the original S&DR curved to the right towards its destination of St. John’s Crossing and finally the Coal Staithes on the River Tees in Stockton. Estimated distance 12 miles.