S&DR200 Lucy Pittaway’s artwork for Northern Echo

The artwork, based on one drawn up in 1875 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the railway, will appear wrapped around a special edition of The Northern Echo next Saturday, and will also be available to purchase as limited edition prints and souvenir items.

It will become the ultimate keepsake of the bicentenary.

Lucy is renowned for her warm landscapes featuring brilliant colours and, of course, cuddly sheep and, at the request of the Echo, she has created her own view of the scene made famous by John Dobbin, showing Locomotion No 1 crossing the Skerne Bridge on the opening day –September 27, 1825 – of the railway.

“When the Echo asked me to create a piece of art for the anniversary, I knew I wanted to bring the story to life in my own way,” says Lucy. “The famous Skerne Bridge had to be part of the scene, and I was inspired by Dobbin’s painting of the very first journey back in 1825.

“My work often uses bright colours and sometimes a few familiar characters – you might spot a sheep or two – so expect a traditional scene with a modern, playful twist… and of course a rather special train will be making an appearance.”

Artist Lucy Pittaway with her painting which has been commisioned to celebrate S&DR200 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Gavin Foster, the editor of The Northern Echo, said: “We are delighted that Lucy has come on-board our celebrations of the railway that got the world on track.

“We knew we had to do something extra special to mark the anniversary and Lucy’s image is exactly that – people will want to keep and cherish next Saturday’s paper as a way of saying ‘I was there’.

“So make sure you order your copy today!”

The paper on Saturday, September 20, will also feature a super-size Memories supplement looking back on the other great celebrations of the railway anniversary in 1875, 1925 and 1975

In 1975, 300,000 people watched a cavalcade of steam engines travel along the original trackbed of the railway, and our publication comes at the start of the week when thousands of people are expected to see a replica of Locomotion No 1 recreate the opening day journey between Shildon, Darlington and Stockton.

The rail industry has thrown its weight behind the anniversary, starting its Rail200 campaign, which recognises how the S&DR marked the birth of the modern railway.

Lucy said: “I’m so delighted to be part of this historic project. To think that passenger travel as we know it today began right here in our region is something to be incredibly proud of, and it feels only right to mark such a milestone.”

For Lucy, who was the official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire, it is not the first time she has produced a piece of work drawing on railway history. She is the daughter of legendary Middlesbrough footballer Willie Maddren and she grew up beside the trackbed at Middleton St George.

“The anniversary holds a personal connection for me,” she says. “Many years ago, while studying at Darlington College of Technology, I won a competition to design a tea towel celebrating Locomotion No 1.

“It feels really special to now be creating artwork for such a significant anniversary all these years later, at a time when my creative journey has come full circle.”

Lucy’s work will be available on her website, lucypittaway.co.uk, with her view of the opening of the railway available on cushions, tea towels and notepads. She has galleries in Brompton-on-Swale, Richmond and Yarm, as well as in Keswick and Harrogate.

Don’t forget to order your copy of Saturday, September 20’s paper from your newsagent today.