Thousands of people arrived in Shildon, North East England to see the replica of the steam train, Locomotion No.1, set off down the tracks to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.
The Duke of Edinburgh was among the passengers on board, at the start of a three-day railway extravaganza which commemorates the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.
As part of Railway 200, today’s event included the launch of a replica Locomotion No.1 (similar to that driven by rail pioneer George Stephenson in 1825) which is travelling, in stages over three days, on most of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway, cheered on by thousands of onlookers.
The event has been organised by a major international festival called S&DR200.
Also on display is Railway 200’s unique, eye-catching exhibition train, Inspiration, which is on a year-long tour of Britain, telling the rail story and encouraging the next generation of pioneering talent to consider a career in rail.
1. Pan of replica of Locomotion no. 1
2. Crowd watching the locomotion as it readies for moving
3. Close up engine and staff
4. Close up engine and staff
5. Wheels
6. Close ups engine
7. Locomotion no 1. sets off down the tracks (staff waving)
8. Set up shot of Tim Dunn leaning over fence looking at replica train.
9. Soundbite: Tim Dunn, Rail Historian and TV Presenter
10. "This is a replica train built in 1975 to commemorate rail 150 years which is 150 of the Stockton and Darlington Railway but... today it has been refurbished and refreshed ready for the 200 anniversary of the S and D railway across the UK and the start of a replica run to show what happened on 27th sept 1875.”
11. Soundbite: Tim Dunn, Rail Historian and TV Presenter “This is special because it's unlike any other locomotive on the network or any line in the world. It doesn't sound like other steam trains - like a small animal whistling and wheezing and panting up the line... It takes us back to a pre-Victorian era, to Georgian era technology.”
12. "This is technology that did change the world... it is one of the very first steam locomotives - certainly one of the first that can be operated - and it shows us where our incredible railway network of over 20 000 km of track in this country and beyond.”
13. Duke of Edinburgh arrives on site and greets the organisers - shaking hands etc
14. Duke of Edinburgh chats to the crowd
15. Duke of Edinburgh walks across tracks.
16. Duke of Edinburgh boards the replica train.
17. Set up shots of Sarah Price walking out of Locomotion Railway Museum
18. Soundbite: Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion Railway Museum "Railways changed everybody’s lives. It changed the landscape. It changed the way we connected to people. It changed the way our food was delivered. It changed the way we travel. There was no aspect of life that wasn’t impacted by the railway. Everybody has a connection to the railway. Why wouldn’t we want to celebrate something so impactful and something so incredible.”
19. Soundbite: Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion Railway Museum "Railways have been part of our past for 200 years. They’re part of our present. We can’t imagine a life without the railways. They are such an important part of our future and it’s a future that people can be part of. I really want children and young people to leave with that message and go - you know what... I can be part of that railway family. That’s the career I really want to go into because it’s a fantastic career path for them.”
20. Crowds wide
21. Steam over crowd and whistling
22. Exterior shots of Locomotion Museum with crowd.
23. Rail fans taking selfies and flag waving
24. Wide of crowd waiting for train
25. Someone taking photo
26. Couple watching proceedings
27. Brass Band playing
28. Close up band
29. Statue of George Stevenson, father of the railways.
30. Exteriors of exhibition train
31. Interiors of hands-on carriage in exhibition Train.
32. Set up shots of Emma Roberts walking past exhibition train
33. Set up shots of Emma Roberts on the exhibition train
34. Soundbite: Emma Roberts, Programme Manager, Railway 200 "The message for young children is that the industry has always been innovative and at the cutting edge of technology, and engineering and it really is continuing to go that way so if you want to be in an industry that has a proud past and that is going places and that has a sustainable future then come and find a role for you here."
35. Soundbite: Emma Roberts, Programme Manager, Railway 200 "What's been important for me to see is what it's meant to the people who work and volunteer on the railways. It's been really positive to them and it's given them a sense of pride and that community feeling, that railway family has really enjoyed having this year and this moment to celebrate. And I think the invitation is now to young people to come and join that railway family."
36. Shot of rail fans taking selfie
37. Vox 1 family and boy: “What do you like about trains? Is it the noise? That was noise goes Whoooooooosh! We said hip hip hooray!”
38. Vox 2 Bearded gentleman: “I train spotted like all my friends till I was 14 or 15 so it means a lot - it’s fantastic. And it’s great for the region, it’s great for the town and it’s great for the area.”
39. Vox 3 “It was always such a special occasion – it was a treat to go anywhere by rail – and of course in those days it was all steam powered so yes, very nostalgic.”
