Full steam ahead for Trail of Discovery

Pictured, from left to right, are Bryan Harris, senior conservation officer at Durham County Council; Jack Fahey, senior creative producer at TUCan Studio; Reuben Kench, chair of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Heritage Partnership; Niccy Hallifax, director of S&DR200; Sarah Price, head of Locomotion; Paul Shail, lead developer at TUCan Studio; Richie Starrs, S&DR200 project manager; and Jazmine Vassie, lead artist at TUCan Studio, on the Trail of Discovery near Locomotion, in Shildon

A landmark heritage and tourism project in the North East has unveiled a new walking and cycling route tracing the birthplace of the modern railway, complete with an interactive digital experience designed to bring history to life.

The S&DR200 Festival has officially opened its Trail of Discovery, a public route following sections of the original 26-mile Stockton & Darlington Railway line between Witton Park in County Durham and Stockton-on-Tees. 

The trail links key locations including Shildon, Darlington, Heighington and Eaglescliffe, with interpretation panels, lineside signage and nine large-scale murals guiding visitors through the story of the railway that transformed global transport.

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