The Sun.
London, England, 1825-10-04 00:00:00

OPENING

OF THE
DARLINGTON AND STOCKTON RAILWAY.
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On Tuesday last, that great work, the Dar-
lington and Stockton Railway was formally opened by the
proprietors, for the use of the public. It is a single rail-way of
25 miles in length, and will open the London market to the
colleries in the western part of the county of Durham, as well
as facilitate the obtaining of fuel to the country along its line,
and the northern parts of Yorkshire. The line of Railway ex-
tends from the colleries in a direction nearly from west to east
from Witton Park and ,Etherly, near West Auckland, to Stock-
ton-upon-Tees, with branches to Darlington, Yarm, Ree. and is
chiefly composed of malleable iron rails. At the western extre-
mity of the line a deep ravine occurs at the river Gaundless, on
the summit of the hills, on each aide of which, pernianent
steam-engines are fixed for the purpose Of conveying the goods
across the two ridges. The engine on the western side of
the vale is called the 'Etherly engine, and that on the east-
ern side the Brusselton engine; the latter of which, in addi-
tion to conveying the goods up from West Auckland, also con-
tinues the transit down the eastern side of the ridge ; below this
to the east, the country, though undulating, is pretty flat, and
the conveyance is pertbrmed by loco-motive engines. To give
eclat to the public opening of the road, a programme was issu-
ed, stating that the proprietor would assemble at the permanent
steam engine, below Brusselton Tower, about nine miles west
of Darlington, at eight o'clock. Accordingly, the committee,
alter inspecting. the Etherly engine plane, assembled at the
botton of Brusselton engine plane, near West Auckland, and
here the carriages, loaded with coals and merchandizes, were
drawn up the easter ridge by the Brusselton engine, a dis-
tance of 1960 yards,' in 7,1 minutes, and then lowered down
the plane on the east side of the hill, 080 yards, in five
minutes. At the foot of the plane, the loco-motive engine
was ready to receive the carriages, and here the no.
ielty of the scene and the fineness of the day had, attracted
an immense concourse of spectators—the fields on each side of
the Railway being .literally covered with ladies and gentlemen
on horseback, and pedestrians of all kinds. The train of car-
riages were then attached to a loco-motive engine of the most
improved construction, and huilt by AI r. George Stephenson,
in the following order :-1. Lcco.motive engine with the en-
gineer (Mr. Stephenson) and assistance-2. Tender, with coals
and water—next, six waggons loaded with coals and flour_
then an elegant covered coach, with the committee and other
proprietors of the Railway—then 21 waggons, fitted up on the
occasion for passengers—and, last of all, six waggons. loaded
with coals, making altogether a train of 31) carriages, ex-
clusive of the engine and tender. Tickets were distributed to
the number of near 300, for those which it was intended should
occupy the coach and waggons; but such was the pressure and
crowd, that both loaded and empty carriages were instantly
filled with passengers. The signal being given, the En-
gine started off with this immense train of carriages, and
here the scene became most interesting—the horsemen gallop.
log across the fields to accompany the engine, and the people
on foot running on each side of the road, endeavouring in vain
to keep up with the cavalcade. The Railway descended with
a gentle inclination towards Darlington, though not uniform,
and the rate of speed was consequently variable. On this part
of the Railway it was intended to ascertain at what rate of speed
the engine could travel with safety. In some parts the speed
was frequently 12 miles per hour; and in one place, for a short
distance, near Darlington, 15 miles per hour ; and, at that time,
the number of passengers were counted to 450, which, together
with the coals, merchandize, and carriages, would amount to
near 90 tons. After some little delay in arranging the proces-
sion, the engine, with her load, arrived at Darlington, a dis-
tance of eight miles and three-quarters, in sixty-five minutes,
exclusive of stops, averaging about eight miles an hour.
Six carriages, • loaded with coals, intended for Darlington,
were then lett behind ; and, after obtaining a fresh supply
of water, and arranging the procession to accommodate
a band of music and passengers from Darlington, the engine
set off again. Part of the Railway from Darlington to Stock-
ton has little declivity, and in. one place is quite level ; and, as
in the upper part it was intended to try the speed of.the engine :
in this part it was intended to prove her capability of dragging a
heavy load, apelcertainly the performance excited the astonish-
ment of all present, and exceeded the most sanguine expecta-
tions of every one conversant with the subject. The engine ar-
rived at Stockton in 3 hours and 7 minutes after leaving Dar-
lington, including stops, the distance being nearly twelve miles,
which is at the rate of four miles an hour ; and upon the
level part of the Railway, the number of passengers in the
waggons were counted about five hundred and fifty, and several
more clung to the carriages on each side, so that the whole
number could not be less than six hundred, which, with the
other load, would amount to about eighty tons. Nothing could
exceed the • beauty and grandeur of the scene. Throughout
the whole distance, the fields and lanes were covered with
elegantly dressed females, and all descriptions of spectators.
The bridges, under which the procession, in some places, darted
through with astonishing rapidity, lined with spectators cheer-
ing And waving their hats, bad a grand effect. At Darlington
the whole inhabitants of the town were out to witness the pro-
cession. But though all along the line people on foot crowded
the fields on each side, and here and there a lady or gentleman
on horseback, yet the cavalcade was not joined by many horses
and carriages until they approached within a few miles of Stock-
ton ; and here the situation of the Railway, which runs parallel
and close to the turnpike-road, leading from Darlington to
Yarm and Stockton, gave them a fine opportunity of viewing
the procession. Numerous horses, carrriages, gigs, carts, and
other vehicles, travelled along with the engine and her im-
mense train of carriages, in some places within a few yards,
without seeming the least frigleternal ; and at one time the pas-
sengers by the engine had the pleasure of accompanying and
cheering their brother passengers by the stage-coach which pas-
sed alongside, and of observing the striking contrast exhibited
by the power of the engine 'and horses—tile engine with her
600 passengers and load, and the coach with four horses and
only 16 passengers. In contemplating the events of the day,
either in a national poin of view, or as the efforts of a company
of individuals furnishing a speedy, efficacious, and certain
Means of traffic to a wide and extended district, it alike excites
; the deepest interest and admiration ; and the immense train
of carriages covered with people, forming a load of from 80 to
90 tons gliding as it were smoothly and majestically along the
Railway through files of spectators, at such an. astonishing
rate of speed, left an impression on those who witnessed it
that never will be forgot. Part of the workmen were enter-
tained at Stockton and part at Yarm, and there was a grand
dinner for the proprietors and their more distinguished guests
at the Town Hall, in Stockton. Mr. Meynell, of Varm,
was in the chair, and die
,Mayor of the town acted as Vice,
President.