Enjoy travel on a steam locomotive hauled train on a typical north eastern light railway, on the oldest railway in the world (1725). Soak up the atmosphere of the world’s oldest operating engine shed (1854). Imagine horses heaving coal waggons as you saunter across the oldest railway bridge in the world (1727).
Passenger trains on the Tanfield Railway, run every Sunday, bank holiday and other special events, throughout the year. Trains are hauled by steam locomotives designed and built on Tyneside. Our wooden carriages are reminiscent of early railway days, developed in the north east and used by local colliery railways until the 1960s. Waggons, used to take coal from the Great Northern Coalfield to the world, are also run at Tanfield Railway.
Marley Hill is the engineering and restoration base of the railway. Marley Hill Engine Shed, the world’s oldest working engine shed, built in 1854, is open to visitors and also houses a vintage workshop, forge and wheel lathe.
The six mile round trip is through beautiful rolling countryside and a spectacular wooded valley. Causey Arch, the world’s oldest railway bridge, is adjacent to one of our stations and there are many pleasant walks in the area.
Food and comfort facilities are available at Andrews House and East Tanfield Stations.