As part of this year’s S&DR200 celebrations, Hopetown Darlington will be front and centre of the festival as the home of the modern railway plays host to a free-to-visit thunderous gathering of iconic steam legends. Standing proudly side by side, each locomotive is a roaring monument to Britain’s engineering might.
From the nimble BR Standard Class 2 78018 to the stalwart NER T2 2238 (Q6 63395), the line-up is a masterclass in steam power. The elegant LNER P3 2392 (J27 65894) brings the charm of the North Eastern Railway, while the mighty A1 Class 60163 (Tornado) and the legendary A4 Class 60007 (Sir Nigel Gresley) steal the spotlight with their speed and majesty.
This is more than a line-up – it’s a living, breathing pageant of steam where history hisses, whistles wail, and the spirit of the rails roars once more. Experience a close up view of the elegant LNER P3 / J27 and mighty NER T2 / Q6 alongside the mighty Class 37 D6898. Marvel at Sir Nigel Gresley and Tornado in light steam from our purpose built viewing area looking across the railway line.
We will also be holding separate footplate tours where you can step aboard the Sir Nigel Gresley, Tornado, and British Standard Class 2. You’ll also benefit from workshop Tours of Darlington Locomotive Works (home to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust) to see LNER P2 Class 2007 Prince of Wales under construction, and the 1861 Shed (home to Darlington Railway Preservation Society and the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group) where you can see NER Class E1 (J72 69023) under restoration.
A number of these locomotives took part in the cavalcade which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1975 and their appearance at S&DR200 will echo that engineering might seen 50 years ago.
Further exciting locomotive announcements coming soon!