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This is a joint meeting with the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers

When the North Eastern Railway organised the 50th anniversary Jubilee celebration of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1875, it elevated a largely colliery focussed railway to international status and created a fictitious narrative of history.

Using recently discovered archival and archaeological evidence, the author argues for a different interpretation, which gives more weight to the railways which had existed for more than 200 years before the opening of the S&DR.

It considers the ideas of William Thomas, voiced in 1800, for a novel railway system to transport not only minerals but also merchandise and people. Thomas’ ideas reached fruition at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830, which provided the model for other railways across the world.

About the Speaker

Les Turnbull graduated in history at Durham University and worked as a schoolmaster, university lecturer and senior education adviser. Upon retirement he became a volunteer at NEIMME where now serves as a member of Council.

Les has written several books on the history of mining and his particular interest, the early railways of the Great Northern Coalfield. He is frequently called upon to lecture both within the region and beyond.