Ghost Train
Schedule
Sat Sep 20 2025 at 03:00 pm to 11:45 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Darlington Town Centre | Darlington, EN
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S&DR200 has commissioned Avanti Display and Walk the Plank will coproduce, with artists Andy Plant, Bryan Tweddle and Chris Squire with two celebratory events to commemorate this remarkable feat of innovation and engineering.On Saturday 20 September, prepare to be amazed as Ghost Train: The Departures arrives in the town centre with free, interactive performances and a spectacular evening parade to Hopetown Darlington.
The event will begin with a theatrical reimagining of Locomotion No. 1, with moving cogs and wheels, installed on a large plinth in the Market Square. Throughout the afternoon six large-scale structures - each mounted on customised cars - will bring to life, through performance, music, sound and feats of engineering, some of the most significant inventions of the last 200 years.
In the early evening, the Locomotion No. 1 will steam to life - fuelled by artistic 'coal of the future' made by 900 primary school children from across the town. The engine will then lead each of the sculptures on a magical procession of lights and music, through North Lodge Park and up to Hopetown Darlington.
Once the parade arrives at Hopetown Darlington, there will be a host of free, Night at the Museum activities for all the family. Hopetown will stay open late, with another chance to see the amazing artistic carriages up close. Book your tickets for that here - https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/A-Night-at-the-Museum
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Titans of Steam exhibition which runs from Saturday 20 September until Sunday 5 October. From the nimble BR Standard Class 2 78018 to the stalwart NER T2 2238 (Q6 63395),the line-up is a masterclass in steam power. The elegant LNER P3 2392 (J27 65894) brings the charm of the North Eastern Railway, while the mighty A1 Class 60163 (Tornado) and the legendary A4 Class 60007 (Sir Nigel Gresley) steal the spotlight with their speed and majesty. This is more than a line-up – it’s a living, breathing pageant of steam where history hisses, whistles wail, and the spirit of the rails roars once more.
Ghost Train: The Arrival will take place in Stockton on Sunday 28 September.
Delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council & Stockton Borough Council
Major Funders: TVCA
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Where is it happening?
Darlington Town Centre, 9 Prebend Row, Darlington, DL1 1NT, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
