A warning has been issued by Network Rail in advance of this weekend’s special trips along parts of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway to mark the 200th anniversary of the first journey by paying passengers on a steam-hauled train.

The historic journey had been made on 27 September 1825, with George Stephenson on the footplate of Locomotion No. 1, and the celebratory trips will be made with a replica of the original locomotive from tomorrow until Sunday.

But Network Rail is warning people who want to watch the specials not to let their excitement lead them into trespassing on the railway.

Network Rail’s operations director for the North East route, Karen Duffy, said: ‘We want the viewing public to have a fantastic time during this celebratory weekend, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep safe. The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers, and it’s never acceptable for the public to trespass on the track for any reason. Our message is simple: enjoy the spectacle of the anniversary journey, but please do so from one of the designated viewing locations.’

Paying passengers had travelled by train on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway from 1807, but that was a horse tramway and did not use locomotives.

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