Preserved Railways of the North East: Tyneside and the Birth of the Railways

Railways were born in this region and today volunteers work on heritage lines to showcase all aspects of the railways in this rich and varied area. South of the River Tyne, the long-established Tanfield Railway recreates authentic scenes from the industrial past alongside its historical neighbour, the Bowes Railway, which has the only remaining rope-hauled line in the country. The Beamish Museum takes the visitor back in time to 1825, 1913 and the 1950s, the attractions including railways of the period on three different sections of track. Whilst at Shildon, which was on the original Stockton to Darlington line, an offshoot of the National Railway Museum has been developed on the site of the old wagon works and hosted the ‘Great Gathering’ of the six remaining A4 Pacifics.

All these lines and museums are explored here through stunning photographs that capture a bygone age in a variety of settings, both pastoral and industrial.