THE 190th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway was celebrated across the region this weekend.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway was established almost two centuries ago, earning the North-East a place in the record books.

The railway became a site of international importance and its historic significance is still recognised across the world 190 years later.

Darlington marked its railway heritage with a weekend of celebratory events organised to mark the anniversary.

Staff at the Head of Steam: Darlington Railway Museum donned Victorian dress to welcome crowds flocking to the birthplace of the modern railway.

Mr Pease and Mr Stephenson met visitors and ensured the milestone anniversary was kept at the heart of the museum’s weekend of fun.

A soundtrack from the Cockerton Prize Silver Band provided the background to activities while the Darlington Locomotive Works opened to allow visitors to view the building of the P2 Prince of Wales.

The museum’s manager and curator, Leona White-Hannant, said: “The railway is really important for Darlington – it’s a railway town and its people are very passionate about that.

“It has international importance, without it we wouldn’t have the modern railway and it’s important to remember how important it was and the impact it had on the rest of the world.”

A ceremony was staged to mark the 190th anniversary of the world’s first railway bridge on Sunday.

Filmmaker Jonathan Thompson organised the event marking the opening of Skerne Bridge.

He urged people to remember the importance of the railway, saying: “This was a British invention which changed the world and we don’t celebrate it enough.

“We should remember the great things we gave the world.”

Railway enthusiasts also enjoyed a rare sighting of the Tornado, the first new steam locomotive to be built in Britain in 25 years.

The iconic steam engine passed through its birthplace in Darlington en route from London’s Kings Cross to Newcastle, steaming through Durham and other North-East places along the way.

Its journey was part of events staged to mark 25 years since its launch.