Historic moment as railway hosts steam 'legends'

A VISITOR favourite that is the oldest of its kind in the world is offering people a unique opportunity this week to see three 'railway legends' in one spot.

- BARBARA HODGSON

Tanfield Railway, which runs from Gateshead to County Durham, is currently hosting a stay by a very special guest which it describes as a 'historic moment. Tanfield - which is the world's oldest railway, dating back to 1725 - now has on show Britain's oldest working steam locomotive and it is offering rides to passengers.

The Furness Railway No. 20 came steaming into Tanfield just ahead of the Bank Holiday and it will be back in action there over this coming weekend. The 1863 standard gauge loco is playing a starring role as part of the Great North Festival of Railways which, as previously reported, celebrates Tanfield Railway's 300-year anniversary.

It is appearing alongside Tanfield's own historic fleet which includes Twizell - Robert Stephenson's 1891 steam loco which has just been restored - and Stanley, now newly-unveiled after a repaint. Their current get-together is described by the venue as a "once-in-a-lifetime meeting of railway legends".