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Hidden in the Woodland at Preston Park is a special piece of history – the old track from the original Stockton & Darlington Railway track, built in 1825.
Although it was abandoned in 1852, it still holds a fascinating story from the railway's opening day that puts this section of the line in the spotlight.
Picture this: it's the grand opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Locomotion No. 1 is chugging along Yarm Road with around 600 passengers and 80 tonnes of goods – a massive achievement for the time.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a stagecoach drawn by four galloping horses pulls up alongside the train.
What happened next?
A race, of course! The stagecoach which was carrying 16 passengers, was determined to outrun the Locomotion.
At the time, horses were still the standard for speed, BUT the horses could barely keep up with the locomotive's top speed (which was around 12-15 miles per hour). It was neck and neck, with the horses galloping full tilt and Locomotion No. 1 puffing furiously.
Despite the odds and the limitations of early steam technology, Locomotion No. 1 pulled ahead, claiming victory over the stagecoach.
This playful race wasn't just a moment of fun.
It symbolised something much bigger: the dawn of a new era.
The locomotive's victory marked the beginning of railways outpacing traditional horse-drawn transport, paving the way for faster and more efficient travel that would transform the world.
Within the woodland at Preston Park lies a preserved section of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway track. Though abandoned by 1852, this stretch of railway remains significant due to an event that occurred during the opening day of the line. On that day, Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the route carrying approximately 600 passengers and 80 tonnes of goods.
During the journey, a stagecoach drawn by four horses reportedly pulled alongside the locomotive, resulting in an impromptu race. Although horse-drawn vehicles were still the standard mode of transport, the locomotive, operating at speeds between 12 and 15 miles per hour, was ultimately able to outpace the horses. This episode, though informal, came to represent a symbolic moment in transport history: the shift from horse-drawn travel to steam-powered railways. The preserved track at Preston Park serves as a physical link to this transitional period and the broader technological advancements it foreshadowed.
