The Storylines project, led by Sam Slatcher, commissioned local artists to engage with the communities along the Bishop Line and the wider Stockton & Darlington Railway to respond creatively to what the railway means to them 200 years after its birth.

Artists including Lizzie Lovejoy, Carmen Thomson, Harry Gallagher, Rowan McCabe, Becci Sharrock and Sam Slatcher travelled between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn, gathering stories from passengers.

Lady Sitting at a table in a train  writing on a train

These stories have being translated into poetry, songs and short stories. A collection of films have been made to capture some of the beautiful work below. Click on the films below to find out about Jill, Shams, Graham, Margaret and David and their links to our railway.

Some of the final pieces were performed at the celebration event at the Forum, Darlington on 27th September 2023.

Storylines was curated by Citizen Songwriters, Supported by Bishop Line CRP, Tees Women Poets, The Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, Tracks Darlington, and Lonely Tower Film & Media. Funded by Northern, Cross Country and Community Rail Network.

Performer on stage wearing blue shirt, playing keyboard, on screen behind is a picture saying artist on board
artist performing with right hand stretched out and folder in left hand, stage lighting behind
performer on stage with book in hand, screen behingd showing a picture of three figures as Darlington station
performer on stage with book in hand, keyboard to his right and screen behind with the word storylines in large font
performer on stage with look in hand and stage lighting behind