The Auckland Project, a North East charity, has announced that they have purchased the Weardale Railway.
The charity has also launched a campaign to reopen the western section of the Stockton to Darlington Railway, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2025.
The first phase of the Project has been completed with the purchase of the 20-mile line, which runs from Bishop Auckland to Weardale.
The heritage railway was built in 1847 and has been bought out of administration.
The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity which looks for opportunities and investment into the Bishop Auckland area.
The Project believes that the purchase of the Weardale Railway will be a catalyst for change.
The charity has no experience of running trains, and to deliver a full train service from Darlington to Weardale would require a partnership with a train operating company, for example, Northern Trains Limited (Northern).
This partnership could lead the way in demonstrating that the Beeching Cuts in the UK could soon be reversed.
The Project will work with Durham County Council and will continue to use the expertise provided by the staff of the former Weardale Railway Community Interest
Company and volunteers of the Weardale Railway Trust, who operated the Summer heritage service on behalf of its previous US owner.
Potential partners could be the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion, Shildon, and means a new era for the railway is born.
Fifty new roles will come with the takeover for the Weardale Railway Ltd, taking the number of opportunities across The Auckland Project to more than 1300.
What did the officials say?
David Maddan, CEO of The Auckland Project, said:
“The North East's magnificent industrial heritage offers a unique opportunity for change. By linking with other major transport infrastructure projects and working with partners, including the dedicated team at the Weardale Railway Trust, we can ensure an immediate impact is felt right across the Tees Valley and throughout County Durham.”
Jonathan Ruffer, Founder of The Auckland Project, added:
“This is the latest initiative to restore vibrancy to the region, giving visitors a wide range of experiences around the Castle at Auckland, the Kynren nightshow, the Spanish and Mining Art Galleries – something for everyone. And soon they'll be able easily to arrive by train!”
Kevin Richardson, Chair Weardale Railway Trust, added:
“We at Weardale Railway Trust were initially disappointed when the previous owners announced the decision to offer Weardale Railway for sale. We had enjoyed a successful relationship, which has been beneficial to both parties. However, the arrangement had not been without its difficulties, particularly given the six-hour time difference between Chicago and the UK.
We were delighted, therefore, to learn that The Auckland Project had taken over ownership
of the railway. To bring the line back into local ownership will, we feel, be a major positive
step. We believe that doing so will encourage local people to join us in preserving this
important part of our local heritage.
“We have followed the progress of The Auckland Project with great interest. Here we have
an organisation, which has already proven at Bishop Auckland what commitment and vision
can achieve. Their aspirations for the railway going forward are very impressive and we look forward to working with them to take the Weardale Railway into the next chapter of its
fascinating history.”
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That’s Certainly Good News
I always knew the Wonderfully ”Well-Restored” Weardale Railway would find the sort of buyer that’s keen to keep alive this ”Eagerly-Must-Visit” Heritage Railway as part of North-Easterly Culture and County Durham’s Tourism Industry too.
I (myself) still hope to visit this ”Heritage Railway” for a train ride ”in-person” up and down the line/course of the River Wear someday … I’d look forward to it.
I hope the Weardale Railway survives – and thrives! The eventual passenger potential is enormous, a far cry from 1953 when services were withdrawn. The Weardale Railway is the western end of of the current former Stockton & Darlington Railway’s operations (from Redcar to Bishop Auckland), the whole route being both historical and an essential travel option today. A ‘seamless’ journey from/to Stanhope (and eventually Wearhead?) to Darlingon and the East Coast Main Line would bring great benefits to the region.