Electricity and the Railways by Colin Hatton

Step aboard a fascinating journey through time and innovation, as this brand-new talk at Hopetown Darlington reveals how electricity revolutionised the railways. From the earliest experiments to today’s cutting-edge Azuma trains, discover the breakthroughs that powered a transport transformation.

Explore the stories of the visionary engineers who drove progress, including the remarkable Sir Vincent Raven. Learn how his pioneering work to electrify the Shildon to Middlesbrough line helped shape the modern railway network we rely on today.

Delivered by Colin Hatton - a retired mechanical engineer with a lifelong passion for railway history - this talk brings decades of knowledge and insight to life. Having studied engineering in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Colin has spent years researching and writing about the railways, contributing articles and serving as a contributing editor for Now and Then magazine, including work during the S&DR bicentenary.

Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or simply curious about the power behind Britain’s rail network, this is a talk not to be missed.