The opening of the Stockton & Darlington railway in context

CIAG has teamed up with Cambridge Railway Circle for our first talk of the 2025/26 season to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The opening of this railway on September 27, 1825, was a key event in the history of transport. The railways eventually transformed the lives of people across the world, and is the subject of Rail 200, a year-long nationwide celebration of railways.       

About the presentation

Our guest speaker, Bob Gwynne, will explore the birth of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and identify what makes it a development worth celebrating, as well as acknowledging how received history has been distorted over the years. Bob will talk not just about the past, but also the present and give pointers to the future which is a bright one for rail despite the gloom surrounding projects like HS2 and the recurring belief amongst some commentators that everything will be alright if we all drive electric cars. 

Bob Gwynne is a researcher, writer, and presenter on the past, present and future of railways. He worked for the National Railway Museum for 26 years and has recently finished a project for Llangollen Railway that aims to improve its long term sustainability by seeking an alternative to coal for the steam locomotives and finding renewable sources of power for the stations, such solar and hydro. 

Event information

The event will take place in the Pye Building at Cambridge Museum of Technology.  Entrance to the venue on the night is via the Museum’s upper gate on Cheddars Lane.  

There will be free light refreshments courtesy of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) 

Tickets for the event will be available on the door for £5 a head (£3 for students with ID).
Card-carrying members of the Railway Circle and members and volunteers at Cambridge Museum of Technology can attend for free. 

E-tickets are available in advance:  

About Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group

Cambridge Industrial Archaeology group organises a programme of talks on industrial heritage at Cambridge Museum of Technology.  Talks usually take place at 19:30 on the second Monday of each month.  For further information about Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group contact Robin Chandler    robin.chandler@btinternet.com 

Cambridge Railway Circle runs a programme of talks on all aspects of railways.  For more information visit their website: www.cambridgerailwaycircle.org