AFTER nearly 200 years, descendants of the original railway pioneers have been reunited to promote the historic line that their forefathers were instrumental in creating.
Matthew Pease, the great-great-great-great-grandson of Edward “Father of the Railways” Pease has become the President of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, while Jane Hackworth-Young, the great-great-grand-daughter of Timothy Hackworth, has become the organisation’s Vice-President.
Edward Pease was the driving force behind the railway, which is regarded as the birthplace of the modern railway, and Timothy Hackworth was the Superintendent Engineer when the line opened on September 27, 1825.
Niall Hammond, Chair of the Friends, said: “We are delighted that two people bearing such famous railway names, who also have a deep interest in the line’s achievements, have come on board at this crucial time as we seek to preserve and promote the S&DR in the build-up to its 200th anniversary which is just four years away.”