| Where | Great Broughton Village Hall | Type of Event | Illustrated Talk |
| When | Monday 29th September 2025 at 7.30pm | Tutor | Caroline Hardie |
The lecture was delivered by Caroline Hardie, from the Friends of the S&DR. Caroline is an excellent speaker, both informative and entertaining. Caroline’s presentation was lively and well organised and this was a well-researched and mastered subject. The LHG had an expectation of a substantial audience and in that we were not disappointed. A quick count revealed an attendance of about 50, including several visitors. That was to be expected, perhaps, given the nature of the anniversary and the general public interest.
Caroline introduced the lecture by stating it would be about the railway and the Friends.
The origin of the railway was as a mineral or freight railway. Coal based at first and then other materials such as limestone and other forms of stone. On the opening day, a waggon load of flour was also included. The Durham part of the route of the line was hilly country and so the railway was a mixture of incline, horse drawn and locomotive traction. Locomotion No 1 was waiting at Shildon to continue the journey to Stockton as the line was suitable. The train was of goods and passengers. It appears to have had a lot more passengers than expected. The train consisted of the company coach, Experiment, which was for the more distinguished guests. This was the only covered vehicle although it was unsprung! Next in order were six freight waggons with seats “reserved for Strangers”. Then there were the fourteen waggons for “Workmen and others”. No seats provided and passengers had to stand. In addition, there were twelve waggons laden with coals and other merchandize. There were many other “unofficial” passengers who boarded the freight waggons, sometimes clinging to the sides.
There have been other celebrations since that opening day held in 1875, 1925 and 1975.
The S&DR was never intended to be solely a freight railway. Its statutes show that. There are a lot of competing claims about what was the first railway. Horse drawn waggons on wooden rails were reported in 16th century. The first statute authorisation was in 18th century. There were earlier freight lines but they were private. There were earlier passenger services but they were horse drawn. The S&DR claim is based on it being the first public, locomotive drawn railway for carrying freight and passengers. And that is the model which shaped the railways to follow.
The Friends was an association formed in 2013. Its name reflects that the early railway was largely operated by Quakers. It has been set up as a group which wishes to protect the railway and its heritage. Conservation is at its heart. In order to do that it has been successful in attracting support from other organisations, both public and private. And that is more than just money as the Friends have been able to make a case for protection to be included in the town and country planning system.
The material was absorbing and the audience was attentive. The time passed easily and the audience was informed and entertained. There were questions. An enjoyable evening.