Locomotion 200 – A Celebration for 2025
1825 saw world-changing innovations right here in the North East. Father-and-son Stephensons George and Robert, saw many years of research, hard graft, trial and error, and risk-taking come to a head when they engineered a groundbreaking steam engine, the Locomotion No.1. This year, Kynren is giving you the chance to celebrate its 200th anniversary by witnessing the spectacle and excitement of its roaring progress across the stage.
As part of this historic occasion, Kynren will shine a spotlight on the iconic Locomotion No.1 in our spectacular evening production. Our faithful replica of this trailblazing steam engine will take center stage, thrilling audiences as it roars across the performance arena. Through this dramatic portrayal, we’ll recreate the energy, excitement, and significance of that first journey from Shildon, where the Locomotion hauled the world’s first passenger train along the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
But that’s not all. In addition to the awe-inspiring performance, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the era that changed the course of history. Discover a recreated period railway station, stand for photos beside a replica Locomotion, and find out how the world would never be the same after 27th September 1825. It was on this day that the Stephensons’ locomotive set off from Shildon, hauling the first train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and setting off a chain of events which would transform the face of the region, the country, and, before long, the world.
Kynren’s tribute to Locomotion 200 is more than just a celebration—it’s a journey through time, showcasing how the innovation and determination of the Stephensons shaped not only the region but the entire world.