A little train - but a historic journey

THE buzz of anticipation quickly became palpable as the crowds gathered at Stockton railway station yesterday.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

People lined Platform 1 clutching yellow flags for the Stockton and Darlington Railway's 200th anniversary, patiently waiting for the restored replica of the Locomotion No. 1 to arrive. People gathered at nearby windows, hoisting children aloft to see the spectacle.

Near the platform was one Sir Topham Hatt, of Thomas the Tank Engine fame, also known appropriately enough as Andy Train, from Hull. He said: "I think it's been brilliant. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Nearby, wearing striking blue boiler suits and setting about "fixing" parts of the station with gigantic pliers, hammers and spanners, were the members of Whippet Up, which runs creative health sessions across Teesside. And the Stockton Globe Community Samba struck up a very locomotive beat on their Brazilian samba drums as more expectant visitors filed in.

The sun seemed to come out just in time for the occasion. Jeff Irish, 71, from Stockton brought three generations along: "I used to be a train spotter years ago when I was 14 or 15. I used to come here to go to Darlington, York and all over."

Niall Hammond, chair of trustees for the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, said: "It's fantastic to see. It's just really heartwarming how many people this actually motivates and excites. It's such a humble little machine when you actually see it in operation. It's nice to see how it all started and see it in motion rather than as a museum object."