We meet in York around lunchtime, and what better way to start our railway adventure than a visit to the National Railway Museum? With the newly reopened Station Hall and the possibility of a peek behind the scenes, it’s a wonderful start. Later, we transfer to our luxurious (and slightly spooky!) base, the Redworth Hall Hotel in Heighington — a stone’s throw from where Locomotion No.1 first took to the tracks.

Today we journey to the magnificent North Yorkshire Moors Railway for its celebrated Autumn Gala. Expect powerful steam locomotives, vintage carriages, and jaw-dropping scenery as we enjoy this railway at its absolute best. There’s time to ride, watch, photograph, and soak it all in before returning to Redworth for a hearty evening meal.

It’s a day packed with true railway royalty. We begin at the Tanfield Railway — already a century old when the S&DR opened — where coal wagons and freight action bring the past vividly to life. In the afternoon, we head to Shildon to explore both the Locomotion Museum and the exciting new Hopetown Railway Museum, rich with exhibits, engines, and atmosphere.

Today’s the big day – exactly 200 years since the Stockton & Darlington Railway changed the world. We’ll be right at the heart of the celebrations, with a chance to see and ride behind the replica of Locomotion No.1 on surviving sections of the original route. Expect crowds, excitement, steam, stories — and a few surprises too. A historic day to remember.

After breakfast, we enjoy a gentle morning before heading to Darlington Station for homeward journeys. We part with full hearts, lasting memories, and probably way too many train photos.