Almost 2000 people visited the Stephenson 150 Project's Guildhall event last weekend featuring railway treasures from the Berwick Barracks museums, exhibitions by local history groups on the closed railway lines around Berwick, Wooler and Seahouses and exhibitions by the Stephenson Trust and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

The crowds were also greatly entertained by railway-related dramas performed by Chris Green as a Victorian warning of the 'Devil's contraption' the railway, and by Chris Cade (as the 'Railway King' himself, George Hudson) while children of all ages were fascinated by Iain Cameron's amazing, working model railway made entirely of cardboard, based on the Rainhill Trials of 1829 won by the famous Stephenson's 'Rocket'.

Some 50 people also visited the beautifully preserved Norham Railway Station Museum, a time capsule of the typical country railway station which has all but disappeared from the British landscape.

The Stephenson 150 project team are now looking forward again, to their third railway film night on Thursday, July 9 at The Maltings Theatre, starting at 7.30pm when the main feature film will be the classic John Buchan tale of espionage, 'The 39 Steps' – but which version of the movie is shown is entirely down to the audience!

Bernard Shaw, of the Stephenson Project explained: "We have available both of the truly classic versions of 'The 39 Steps'; the original, black and white 1935 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Robert Donat, and the 1959 colour version starring Kenneth More. They are both classics and we just could not decide which to show".

"Nobody directed a thriller like Hitchcock – but the colour of the later version is stunning, particularly in the railway scenes.

"So we are leaving it up to our audience to vote which should be shown, and they can vote by emailing their choice to us at stephenson150@googlemail.com; by telephoning us on (01289) 301760 or by casting their vote as they come into The Maltings just before the show starts. Whichever is chosen, it is guaranteed to be a classic which everyone will enjoy."
The supporting films are bound to bring back fond memories to those of a certain age.
Tim Kirton, of the Stephenson Project, added: "One of the support films is the 10 minute short 'John Betjeman Goes by Rail' from 1962, telling the story of a train journey by the great poet through Norfolk; I know there are many Betjeman fans out there and they will greatly enjoy this gentle film in which Betjeman's delightful personality and his affection for railways and architecture shine out."

"The second support programme is a railway-based compilation of those wonderful and fondly remembered 'Look at Life' newsreels routinely shown before the big features in Odeon and Gaumont cinemas in the 1950s and 1960s."

Shot in glorious 35mm colour, the 'Look at Life' films being shown trace the decline of steam and the rise of the new 'modern' railway in the 1960s.

Tim added: "Many people will not have seen these on a big cinema screen in 40 years and this is a rare chance to settle down with a choc ice and re-live those wonderful 'Look at Life' programmes. Those too young to remember 'Look at Life' are in for a treat."

The Stephenson 150 Programme has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through Your Heritage and Awards for All, the Institution of Civil Engineers, One NorthEast through the Northumberland Strategic Partnership, the Railway Heritage Trust and the Tweeddale Press through the Berwick Advertiser.

Tickets are still available for this show, priced at £4, from The Maltings Box Office, tel: 01289 330999. Tickets can also be bought on the night but advance booking is recommended as the shows are very popular.