THREE descendants of the earliest railway pioneers met for the first time at a dinner celebrating the 193rd anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

They met on Saturday night in Darlington’s Central Hall beneath a large portrait of Edward “the Father of the Railways” Pease, and his 92-year-old great-great-great-grandson Lord Gainford had travelled with his family from his home in Scotland for the occasion.

He was joined by Bill Chaytor, of Croft, near Darlington, whose great-great-great-grandfather, Sir William Chaytor, was the first chairman of the railway. He owned the colliery at Witton Park, in south Durham, where the railway began.

The third direct descendant was Jane Hackworth-Young, the great-great-grand-daughter of Timothy Hackworth, who was the locomotive superintendent of the railway, when it opened on September 27, 1825, and whose work with the troublesome early locos enabled steampower to prove its worth.

The dinner was arranged by the Friends of the railway, a volunteer group which is championing the line’s heritage in the run-up to the 2025 bicentenary.

“It’s been a hugely valuable evening, as we’ve been able to show people how much progress is being made in preserving and promoting the railway, and how much more exciting potential it offers in terms of tourism, economic redevelopment and local heritage in the future,” said Trish Pemberton, chairman of the Friends.

Matthew Pease, Lord Gainford’s son, said: “We are very grateful to have been invited, and we are delighted to discover that there is so much interest in Edward Pease and the railway. It is something the family is hugely proud of, and it is very gratifying to find our ancestors are so highly regarded. We look forward to being involved in the commemorations leading up to 2025.”

The evening heard talks by Niall Hammond and Caroline Hardie, of the Friends, about the railway’s history and its potential, plus a presentation from John Anderson of Darlington council about works undertaken in the last year. It closed with Darlington mayor, Veronica Copeland, offering a toast to the railway.

She said: “I have learnt so much tonight, and I am delighted that everyone across the whole area is coming together to promote our unique heritage.”