Industry News

A new exhibition arrives at The Story next week, exploring the impact of passenger railways on life in the north east.

All Change! is part of the nine-month S&DR200 festival, which launched in March and continues across County Durham and the Tees Valley until November 2025, inspired by the first journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825.

It will offer visitors to the Durham County Council venue an opportunity to learn about the social changes brought about by the railway system, from work opportunities to seaside holidays and even the diversification of goods sold in shops.

The temporary exhibition aims to tell the story of how the railway redefined life for local people and communities, by making travel faster, more comfortable and more accessible to communities.

Carolyn Ball, county archivist at The Story, said: “From the late Georgian era to the modern day, railways have been more than just a mode of transport. As the world’s first passenger railway, the S&DR was a transformative force that has reshaped the way we live, work, and connect.

“This exhibition, made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, offers a wonderful insight into this journey, from the early foundations of the rail network, when steam-powered locomotives first linked towns and cities, to the evolution of railways across the world. It will look at the impact of railways not only on the physical landscape of the country, but also on the social and economic fabric of society.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for residents to uncover the story of the S&DR’s extraordinary legacy and we can’t wait to welcome visitors as we celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the world’s first locomotive passenger train.”

The exhibition includes documents and objects from the council’s archives, the Timothy Hackworth and the DLI collections.

Medals and regalia associated with railway workers will also be on display alongside LNER summer excursion posters, when the exhibition opens next Monday (26 May).  

A gateway to the history of County Durham and its people, The Story is home to five collections of historic records, documents and objects, including the county archives and the DLI Collection.

There is a Search and Discover space for visitors to access digital content using enhanced search facilities and cutting-edge tools, including AI; a Collections Room where people can request to see and examine original documents; a free interactive exhibition space; and a café. The Story also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions and events, which shine a light on County Durham’s history.

Meanwhile, as a registration venue, The Story’s Georgian ceremony rooms and the ceremonial staircase provide an elegant backdrop for weddings, civil partnership and vow renewing ceremonies.

The Story is open every day and entry is free. To find out more about the venue, including upcoming events and activities, visit www.thestorydurham.org.

The S&DR200 festival is being delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and will present a series of free large-scale outdoor spectacles, events, exhibitions and new art commissions in public spaces, libraries and world-class museums across the area.

27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the S&DR. The 26-mile journey on the S&DR between Shildon and Stockton via Darlington on 27 September 1825 transformed how the world traded, travelled, and communicated.

The S&DR200 festival will celebrate the region’s pioneering past and look forward to its future with a series of large-scale outdoor events, exhibitions and new art commissions in its public spaces, libraries, and world-class museums, including Preston Park Museum & Grounds, Locomotion, Hopetown and The Story.

More information on the S&DR200 festival can also be found at www.sdr200.co.uk