A modern-day descendent of the Stockton & Darlington Railway

est. 2004

The Stockton & Darlington Railway only existed for a mere 38 years, yet the impact on the world cannot
be denied or measured.

A bit on our history:

On 13th November, 1818, a general meeting was held at Darlington Town Hall and resolution was proposed to apply for an Act of Parliament to construct a rail or tramroad based upon the plan produced by George Overton. A prospectus was produced "...The railway is proposed to extend from Stockton to the collieries in the Auckland district, by one continued main line, until it approach to the coalfield, where it is intended to separate into the principal branches... "Despite a number of objections the Darlington Committee, formed in 1818, decided to bring their Bill before parliament in 1819. In March of that year the bill came before parliament and on 5th April 1819, it was defeated by 13 votes at its second reading. To reduce opposition, substantial payments were made to purchase land and the route was re-planned. And so on 19th April, 1821, with little opposition in Parliament the first Act of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was passed. On 12th May, 1821 at the Kings Head in Darlington, the committee formed in 1818 was dissolved and a Railway Board of Directors was elected.

At a further meeting, held later that day, Thomas Meynell was elected Chairman, and a coat of arms was adopted with the motto "Periculum Privatum Utilitas Publica" (At Private Risk for Public Service). On the same day as the Act received the Royal Assent, Edward Pease and George Stephenson met at the home of Edward Pease in Northgate, Darlington and thus was forged the foundation of the first public railway in the world. A further Bill was placed before Parliament in 1823, incorporating changes recommended by George Stephenson, consequent on his survey carried out between July 1821 and January 1822. The Bill also included the provision to include steam locomotives, and so when the bill received the Royal Assent on 23rd May, 1823, the building of the first public railway in the world made its first major step forward.

..... Time progressed, some of the descendents of the original workers moved on to the new world, and created their own railroad......

A few settled in the state of Delaware.  They decided to form their own railroad company, and hence the Darlington Northern Railroad was born.  So named because the son of the owner had a particular affinity for the Burlington Northern Line.  The line currently leases some locomotives from Norfolk Southern, and also plans to restore and run a historic steam excursion train. 

 Click HERE to see more about the Darlington Northern Railroad and it's building progress.

Copyright © 2007 Darlington Northern RR