Tanfield Railway

Tanfield Railway is the World's oldest railway, dating back to 1725. Join us for an unforgettable journey on a vintage steam train with unique Victorian carriages and lovingly restored locomotives, for a three-mile trip through the beautiful rolling countryside and spectacular wooded valley.

Dating back to 1725, a whole century before the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the line was built to transport coal from collieries in the Tanfield area to the River Tyne for shipment - fuelling the nation and the world!

Today the railway - rebuilt, maintained and operated by dedicated volunteers - is a showcase for the North East's rich railway heritage. Experience steam locomotives built by legendary Tyneside concerns such as Robert Stephenson & Co, carriages just like those that carried miners to and from work and waggons that took coal on its journey from the Great Northern Coalfield to the world!

Steam trains operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday throughout the year.