Let's travel back to the early days of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and discover the story of Middleton St. George, once served by a quaint little station called Fighting Cocks.

Before trains came along, Middleton was a quiet agricultural settlement with just one building at the crossroads.

Over time, factories like ironworks and gasworks were built, creating jobs and leading to the growth of the town.

Thanks to the railway, this made it easier to bring in fuel and raw materials, helping these industries thrive.

The name Fighting Cocks came from the nearby inn, named after the landowner Henry Cocks, whose family crest featured three fighting cockerels.

When the railway first opened in 1825, the Fighting Cocks Inn became a hub for railway passengers. It served as one of the world's first booking offices – the office let people buy tickets, collect parcels, and enjoy food and refreshments while they waited for their trains.

Behind the inn, a coal and limestone depot was built to supply the local area.

Later, a signal box was added to manage the growing rail traffic. This depot became even more important with the rise of the ironworks, as it played a key role in supplying raw materials and transporting finished products, keeping the factory running smoothly.

In the 1830s, as rail travel gained popularity, the S&DR decided to invest in passenger services. The Fighting Cocks Station, originally called Middleton and Dinsdale was built to take over from the inn as the area's railway hub. It officially adopted the name Fighting Cocks in 1866.

The station became a hotspot for visitors heading to the nearby Dinsdale Spa, which was built over a natural sulphur spring which had been discovered in 1789.

By 1829, the spa had grown into an incredibly popular retreat. Trains made it easier than ever for the people to visit, turning Fighting Cocks into a bustling stop along the line.

However, in 1887, the opening of the Oak Tree Junction line bypassed Fighting Cocks, with a new station built closer to the spa.

Although the station remained open for a time, its public passenger services ended after selling about 30,000 tickets.

Fighting Cocks Station officially closed in 1964, marking the end of its railway chapter.

Today, the old station buildings are private homes, and the former track has been transformed into a peaceful footpath. The area still honours its railway history with a mural painted along the path where the trains once ran, showing Fighting Cocks Station in its heyday.

It's a charming reminder of how the railway brought life and growth to a quiet crossroads, leaving a legacy that can still be explored and appreciated today.