STEAM RIDES
Ride historic steam locomotives on a new heritage railway celebrating Darlington’s railway legacy, the S&DR, and its bicentenary in a memorable experience
EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND LECTURES
Explore Darlington's rich railway heritage through visiting exhibitions, talks and lectures
Hopetown and its partners will bring you exhibitions, lectures and talks that celebrate and explore how the railways helped to shape Darlington and the region, their influence on communities and development around the world and the effect it has on our lives still to this day.
Starting with the North Eastern Railway Association lectures, an ad-hoc programme of talks and lectures from visiting speakers, including historians, engineers and volunteers, complement the Heritage Weekends and live steam train rides.
UPCOMING EVENTS
A Ride to Richmond by Les Cairnes
Saturday 6 June
Teesdale Tracks and Derailed Dukes by Chris Lloyd
Saturday 5 September
Railway Coffee Morning
Last Thursday of every month
Peg Dolls - More details coming soon!
September 2026
Make sure to check the What's On page for more and keep checking back as we update this schedule with future events.
Heritage Experiences
HERITAGE WEEKENDS
The first full weekend of every month is dedicated to exploring engineering, discovering heritage, getting close to locomotives and meeting amazing volunteers
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Held every September, the celebrations offers fun for families alongside inspiring experiences for railway heritage enthusiasts all in celebration of the S&DR
EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND LECTURES
Discover Darlington's pioneering railway heritage through a series of visiting exhibitions, lectures and talks