Rare steam locomotive Dora has arrived at the Tanfield Railway ahead of their Steam Gala this weekend.

Dora, built in 1927, is one of the few surviving locomotives built by the Avonside Engine Company and has never been seen in the North East before.

The locomotive is usually based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and will appear at the Legends of Industry gala alongside 6 of Tanfield’s locomotives.

There will be an intensive timetable running from the 19th to the 21st of June, with plenty to enjoy across all the days of the event.

More information about the gala and tickets can be found on their website.

“Locomotives built in other parts of the country were never that common in the collieries, shipyards and works of the North East, mainly because there were so many being built locally. But occasionally local industries did turn to the likes of Avonside when they needed engines in a hurry, or when the price was favourable.

“Bringing Dora to the North East will give us the chance to see how Avonside locomotives compare for the first time in decades. It will also give our visitors the chance to see an Avonside saddle tank at work in County Durham for the first time since the 1960s.”

Tanfield Railway General Manager, David Watchman