A cathedral service will be held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
Durham Cathedral will host a choral evensong later to commemorate the opening of the line on 27 September 1825.
Dean of Durham Philip Plyming, who will be leading the service, said the event will celebrate north-east England as a “place of ingenuity and innovation”.
Niccy Hallifax, festival director of S&DR200, said it would be “another very poignant special moment” after a weekend of events celebrating the bicentenary, including a recreation of the maiden journey on the line.