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Volunteers unearthing railway history

Tom Burgess
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
BBC A large rectangular area of ground has had the top later cut away and there is a tape set up around the perimeter. A wheelbarrow can be see in the background along with various tools for clearing the ground. A group of volunteers in orange hi-vis jackets can be seen resting nearby.BBC
The archaeological dig is part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 200-year anniversary celebrations

Volunteer history buffs have been given permission to dig in a park along the line of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway Line.

The community archaeological dig has the "unprecedented" honour of uncovering the track bed in Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees.

Dr Emma Watson, who is leading the project, said they want hope to discover how the track bed was constructed, but any other forgotten paraphernalia found would be very exciting.

"If we could find a milestone or a datestone that would be very exciting," she said.

A group of 16 volunteers standing in a line in the park, half of them are wearing orange hi-vis jackets. They are all smiling and happy.
Volunteers have booked up the digging slots over the weekend

Richard Neal, a volunteer for Tees Archaeology, said digging for two days had been "very rewarding".

"I knew the railway came through here back in the day but I was not sure where it was.

"I have found a couple of rusty nails and yesterday we came across what looks like an old path."

Dr Watson said: "We are trying to find if there is any remnant of the track bed left and whether they were using oak or stone sleepers.

"We have a unique opportunity here, we have no idea what we are going to find this week."

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