Quiet victory as railway reopens

Aug 17 2006 By Neil Mckay, The Journal

There was little fanfare when a tourist railway reopened after 20 months yesterday, but passengers were still keen to take their seats on board the first train.

The Weardale Railway in County Durham was given approval earlier this week to carry passengers again after it was closed down by a cash crisis.

With a new operating company, Ealing Community Group (ECT) in charge, the line is running three diesel trains a day between Wolsingham and Stanhope until the end of the summer holidays.

Jon Hummel, the railway's deputy chairman, said the reopening was deliberately low key because ECT were aware that creditors to the previous company had still to be paid - and because only two coaches were operating. Nevertheless, there were around 30 visitors on the platform waiting to ride on the first train out of Wolsingham yesterday, including Bernard Johnson, 73, from Hilton Road, Bishop Auckland, and his grandson Michael Laverick, 16, of Finchale Drive, Newton Aycliffe.

Michael said: "We came on the first train when the services started in 2004 and when we heard trains were starting again we decided to come along for the ride. I am delighted to see trains back on this line."

Steve Raine, managing director of Weardale Railways, and one of the few people involved who were connected to the previous, ill-fated regime, said he planned to extend services to Bishop Auckland - and provide a link to the East Coast Main Line at Darlington within five years.

Trains will run seven days a week until September 3, leaving Wolsingham at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The buffet at Stanhope Station is open daily until September 3, from 11am-4pm, then will be in operation on weekends when trains are running during the winter.