IT was billed as the biggest - and last - major celebration of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first passenger line. An occasion to savour the sights and smells of a bygone age.

On the 175th anniversary of its opening, the eight-mile Shildon to Darlington line would once again carry steam locomotives.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors were expected to converge on County Durham, bringing with them millions of pounds in spending money.

Among them were North-East exiles Tom and Margaret Summers, both 68, of Letchworth, Hertfordshire. They were planning to make the 250-mile trip to see the cavalcade.

Yesterday, Mr Summers, a retired pattern maker who used to work in the Sunderland shipyards, said: "I'm really disappointed because I was really looking forward to it.

"It is different seeing these great steam locomotives in action instead of in a museum - it's the sound and the smell that is half the attraction.

"It was going to be the biggest thing of its kind in Britain and I would certainly have loved to be there. There may never be another chance to see so many great steam engines, all working, in one place. It is very sad.

"But we'll still come up. The North-East is still home - even after nearly 50 years away - and we'll find something else to do.''

Sadly, thousands of others will have to make alternative plans.

Huge successes had been made of previous similar events, including celebrations of the 150th anniversary 25 years ago, which are fondly remembered by many in the region.

Hotel bookings and interest had come from all over the globe for this year's celebration.

But now the dream is lying in tatters.

A potentially massive boon for the region has been lost, and shops, guest house owners, local councils and tourist attractions - for whom the event promised big spin-offs - will now be left counting the potential cost of the missed opportunity.

Just last month, the Cavalcade of Steam avoided derailment when VSOE, which runs the Orient Express, was replaced by Lancashire-based West Coast Railway Company as the train operator, due to logistical problems.

Darlington and Sedgefield councils had been among the parties backing the project and were in talks with Rail 2000 right up to the last minute.

Sedgefield District Council expected the event would attract more than 200,000 people over the August Bank Holiday.

Chief executive Norman Vaulks said: "We tried to help and support the project as much as we could and it is a matter of regret that this has happened."

Brian Stoker, chairman of Shildon's chamber of trade, said the announcement was a blow to the town, where people had been looking forward to the event.

"It's going to be a let down for a lot of people because they bought tickets," he said. "We are sorry that it is not coming."

Traders, however, had not been expecting to significantly benefit, as many visitors would spend their money on the site, rather than in the town, he added.

Darlington council leader John Williams said: "As far as Darlington is concerned, we are very keen to promote the town as the birthplace of the railways and the centre of a very vibrant region that's well worth visiting. Something like this is a very big blow to that."

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