Railway of the Year 2026, and the World's Oldest Railway
Tanfield Railway, Marley Hill, Burdon Plain A6076, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE16 5ET
Tanfield - early railway history in NE England
• 1620s horse-drawn wooden waggonways from pits to staiths, then keels to collier brigs
• 1720s Grand Allies - civil engineering on a grand scale, using earth, wood & stone, now with grade 1 listing
• 1840s Brandling Junction - speculative modernisation with iron rails & rope haulage, to new docks & staiths
• 1850s & 1880s modern steel railways with steam locos; building the world's oldest engine shed & signalbox
• 1970s the revived passenger-carrying Tanfield Railway
• 2020s designing & building a new storage shed in an early style
(Please note that train travel is NOT included. It is a chargeable option.)
Timings
- Sunday 13 September:
- Open 10am - 4pm with a variety of tours & activities.
- Thursday 17 September:
- Open 10am - 4pm with a variety of tours & activities.
- Sunday 20 September:
- Open 10am - 4pm with a variety of tours & activities.
Location & directions
Tanfield Railway, Marley Hill, Burdon Plain A6076, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE16 5ET
- Directions:
- On Sundays, Go North East X30 hourly buses from Newcastle stop outside the entrance. X30, X31 & X32 connect Newcastle to Tanfield Railway at Marley Hill approx. every 20 mins on weekdays.
- Contact on day:
- Derek Smith
- Telephone number:
- +447969146642
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Between covered, hard, level areas there are rough paths, slopes and raised rails. open to the elements.
Additional information
Train travel is not included in this event. Light refreshments are available.
- Max number of people:
- 10
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s)
