Rail passengers could find it easier to explore the North Pennines AONB from this spring onwards as a further stretch of the Weardale Railway is set to open.
The 18-mile heritage line is part of the Stockton to Darlington line and connects the main rail network at Bishop Auckland to Eastgate in the North Pennines AONB. The six-mile stretch between Stanhope and Wolsingham was reopened to the public in May 2022.
And now, the railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope will reopen for the first time in three years following a restoration carried out by regeneration charity The Auckland Project. The charity acquired the 16-mile stretch of railway in January 2020 and has since been working to repair the line from and re-establish a regular service between the two towns.
Read more: This Morning chef to headline 2023 Bishop Auckland Food Festival as first celebrity chefs announced
The first service will run between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope on Saturday April 22 to coincide with the Bishop Auckland Food Festival, which attracted around 30,000 visitors in 2022. The intention is that visitors to the food festival will be able to use the re-established rail service to explore the Durham Dales, whilst residents of Stanhope and Wolsingham will be able to travel to the festival by train.
Wayne Dixon, General Manager of Weardale Railway, said: "Thousands of passengers have enjoyed a ride on the railway since we opened the line between Stanhope and Wolsingham in May 2023. This year we hope even more passengers will be able to enjoy our services, as we expand our timetable and extend the line to Bishop Auckland.
David Maddan, CEO Development of the Auckland Project described the reopening of the line as a "landmark moment". He added: "We have ambitious plans for the future of Weardale Railway, which we hope will benefit the residents of Weardale as well as those who wish to explore the beauty of the North Pennines AONB by train.
The Auckland Project hopes to re-introduce regular services from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope, with services operating on selecting weekends during the summer months in 2023. In the meantime, Weardale Railway Limited is operating its regular timetable between Stanhope and Wolsingham on selected dates throughout February, Marcha and April.
For more information, visit the websites of the Weardale Railway and the Auckland Project.
Have you visited the Weardale Railway since it reopened? Let us know!
Read next
Northumberland heritage railway celebrates busiest year yet in 2022 as it looks to expand further
Dozens of life-saving defibrillators installed at railway stations across North East
Secrets of Auckland Castle's Medieval history to be revealed on BBC2's Digging for Britain
See inside County Durham hotel which has welcomed first guests in two years following refurbishment
Five of the best scenic train rides to take in the beauty of North East England
