One hundred and fifty years ago, on 15 September 1830, a single gunshot sent eight trains off on a 32-mile journey from Liverpool to Manchester to mark the opening of the world's first steam-hauled passenger service.
Popular group Fivepenny Piece join the celebrations on the tracks of the world's oldest passenger station - the Manchester terminus of Stephenson's great railway experiment.
Liverpool-born actor/playwright Colin Welland points out some of the great engineering achievements as he travels along the 32 miles of track forged at the birth of the railway age.
Musical arrangements
FIVEPENNY PIECE, PETE LINGWOOD Drums PHIL BARLOW
Sound EDDIE MAGRATH
Producer BARRY BEVINS. BBC Manchester