August Bank Holiday Weekend 2025 (22nd - 25th August) sees the culmination of many years of hard work by SRC volunteers to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR). The event is funded in part by the Heritage Lottery Fund. There is a dedicated website with all the information about the event and the history of the Western reaches of the S&DR which can be accessed by the gala link. There are events and exhibitions in Kirkby Stephen from Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August (see below)
We will be running steam hauled train services over the three days of weekend (23rd - 25th August). Parking on site will be reserved for blue badge holders and exhibitors. There is Park and Ride from the Auction Mart, Faraday Road, KIrkby Stephe CA17 4QL each day operated by Cumbria Classic Coaches. The coaches will also meet all trains at Kirkby Stephen mainline railway station each day.
Admission is free with charges for train rides NO pre-booking is required. Bus excursions are free on a first come first served basis.
There are displays from Railway Societies and Charities in our exhibition marquee at KSE, toilet facilties onsite include a fully accessible Mobiloo with attendant and there is onsite catering. Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome and they can travel free in the third class compartments of trains (see below). Any last minute changes will be announced on our S&D 200 gala Facebook page.
Timings Saturday 23rd Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August :
09:30 First Shuttle Bus departs from Auction Mart to Kirkby Stephen East (KSE)
10:30 - 16:15 Two train passenger service commences from alternate platforms (charges apply see below). New footpath and recreated S&DR
signal box open to public
11:00, 12:00 & 13:15 Bus excursion to visit Smardale Gill viaduct and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve (Bus stop B in station yard)
11:30, 12:30 & 13:45 Bus excursion to Hartley to visit Podgill and Merrygill viaducts (Bus stop B in station yard)
12:45 Guided walk along the track bed to Merrygill Viaduct meeting the 14:00 departure from Hartley back to KSE using bus.
16:15 Last Train departs followed by the last bus at 16:45
17:00 KSE closes for the day
Train Fares - purchased on the day - no prebooking required (to cover the costs of bringing in guest locomotives and rolling stock)
Family £20-00 (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Additional Child £1-00
Adult £10-00
Disabled £9 -00 (accompanying carer free)
Consessions £8-00 (over 65,HRA members, Railriders)
1370 Club members Free with 50% off family ticket
Entitles individuals to two train trips per ticket
Dogs are permitted to travel in third class compartments only
Events & Exhibitions
In addition to trains rides and exhbitions at KSE the following events are taking place over the weekend.
Friday 22nd August 19:00 - Remote Cinema at the Sports and Social Club, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QN showing the 1970s classic The Railway Children preceeded by a short presentation by the owner of the 'Old Gentleman's Saloon'which appeared in the film and will be operating at KSE over the weekend. Admission Adults £5, U18 year £3
Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August 10:00 - 16:00 - Travelling Photographic Exhibition telling the story of S&DR operations and that of its successors, on the western side of the Pennines. Methodist Church Hall, 14 High Street, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4SG. Admission FREE
Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th August 10:00 - 16:00 - Stitching The Lines - quilts and other textiles made by Upper Eden needlewomen. The Masonic Hall, North Road, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4RH Includes the Stainmore Railway 200 panel created to celebrate the bicentenary of the S&DR. Admission FREE
Sunday 24th August 18:30 - Once upon a Railway - stories told in songs, prose and poetry - perfomed by 'Just the Ticket'. Sports and Social Club, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QN. Admission FREE but tickets need to be booked in advance by contacting Anne Taylor
We will be running steam hauled train services over the three days of weekend (23rd - 25th August). Parking on site will be reserved for blue badge holders and exhibitors. There is Park and Ride from the Auction Mart, Faraday Road, KIrkby Stephe CA17 4QL each day operated by Cumbria Classic Coaches. The coaches will also meet all trains at Kirkby Stephen mainline railway station each day.
Admission is free with charges for train rides NO pre-booking is required. Bus excursions are free on a first come first served basis.
There are displays from Railway Societies and Charities in our exhibition marquee at KSE, toilet facilties onsite include a fully accessible Mobiloo with attendant and there is onsite catering. Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome and they can travel free in the third class compartments of trains (see below). Any last minute changes will be announced on our S&D 200 gala Facebook page.
Timings Saturday 23rd Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August :
09:30 First Shuttle Bus departs from Auction Mart to Kirkby Stephen East (KSE)
10:30 - 16:15 Two train passenger service commences from alternate platforms (charges apply see below). New footpath and recreated S&DR
signal box open to public
11:00, 12:00 & 13:15 Bus excursion to visit Smardale Gill viaduct and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve (Bus stop B in station yard)
11:30, 12:30 & 13:45 Bus excursion to Hartley to visit Podgill and Merrygill viaducts (Bus stop B in station yard)
12:45 Guided walk along the track bed to Merrygill Viaduct meeting the 14:00 departure from Hartley back to KSE using bus.
16:15 Last Train departs followed by the last bus at 16:45
17:00 KSE closes for the day
Train Fares - purchased on the day - no prebooking required (to cover the costs of bringing in guest locomotives and rolling stock)
Family £20-00 (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Additional Child £1-00
Adult £10-00
Disabled £9 -00 (accompanying carer free)
Consessions £8-00 (over 65,HRA members, Railriders)
1370 Club members Free with 50% off family ticket
Entitles individuals to two train trips per ticket
Dogs are permitted to travel in third class compartments only
Events & Exhibitions
In addition to trains rides and exhbitions at KSE the following events are taking place over the weekend.
Friday 22nd August 19:00 - Remote Cinema at the Sports and Social Club, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QN showing the 1970s classic The Railway Children preceeded by a short presentation by the owner of the 'Old Gentleman's Saloon'which appeared in the film and will be operating at KSE over the weekend. Admission Adults £5, U18 year £3
Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August 10:00 - 16:00 - Travelling Photographic Exhibition telling the story of S&DR operations and that of its successors, on the western side of the Pennines. Methodist Church Hall, 14 High Street, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4SG. Admission FREE
Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th August 10:00 - 16:00 - Stitching The Lines - quilts and other textiles made by Upper Eden needlewomen. The Masonic Hall, North Road, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4RH Includes the Stainmore Railway 200 panel created to celebrate the bicentenary of the S&DR. Admission FREE
Sunday 24th August 18:30 - Once upon a Railway - stories told in songs, prose and poetry - perfomed by 'Just the Ticket'. Sports and Social Club, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QN. Admission FREE but tickets need to be booked in advance by contacting Anne Taylor