The scent of hot oil and coal smoke will hang heavy over County Durham this May as Tanfield Railway, the world’s oldest railway, marks its 300th anniversary with the Great North Festival of Railways. This month-long celebration, running every weekend from 3rd to 26th May 2025, promises to be a pilgrimage for steam enthusiasts and families alike, offering a rare chance to witness living history in motion—from Belgian steam trams to Britain’s oldest working locomotive.
A Lineup of Mechanical Royalty
At the heart of the festival are the star locomotives, each with a story etched in soot and steel:
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No. 8 Lucie: A 1890 Belgian vertical-boilered steam tram, visiting from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, will puff along Tanfield’s tracks on 17th–18th May. Originally built for Brussels’ streets, this quirky engine—featured on TV’s The Yorkshire Steam Railway—showcases the global reach of British rail innovation.
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Furness Railway No. 20: Built in 1863, this is Britain’s oldest operational standard-gauge steam engine, appearing on 3rd–5th and 9th–10th May. Its riveted iron frame and archaic design offer a visceral glimpse into the Industrial Revolution.
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Home Fleet Heroes: Tanfield’s own Stanley (1920) and Twizell (1891) will haul vintage carriages, while heritage diesels like Tyne Improvement Commission No. 35 add diesel-era grit to the roster.
More Than Just Trains: A Festival of Sights and Sounds
Beyond the engines, the festival immerses visitors in railway life:
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Live Music: A Hop, Skiffle & Jump band will perform at East Tanfield Station on 3rd May, blending folk tunes with the clatter of wheels.
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Hands-On History: Kids receive free Edmondson tickets and Tanfield300 flags, while colouring activities and print-making workshops unfold in Andrews House’s waiting room.
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Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Explore the 1854 Marley Hill Engine Shed, the world’s oldest working shed, where volunteers polish brass and share tales of restoration.
Why Tanfield’s Legacy Matters
Opened in 1725 as a horse-drawn waggonway for coal, Tanfield predates the Stockton & Darlington Railway by a century. Its Causey Arch—the world’s oldest railway bridge—still stands as a testament to the North East’s engineering prowess. The festival honours not just the tracks, but the generations of workers and volunteers who kept them alive.
Plan Your Visit
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Tickets: Adults £18, children (5–15) £5, under-5s free. Unlimited ride passes (£40) offer year-long access.
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Don’t Miss: The Legends of Industry Gala in June, another highlight of Tanfield’s anniversary year.
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Getting There: Marley Hill Station (NE16 5ET), with bus routes X30/X31 or a 5-mile trip from Dunston rail station.
Final Whistle
The Great North Festival of Railways isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a living, breathing museum, where the past chuffs into the present. Whether you’re riding behind Lucie, tracing the grooves of Causey Arch, or simply soaking in the camaraderie of fellow rail fans, Tanfield’s 300th birthday is a milestone worth celebrating. All aboard for history!
Image credits: Tanfield Railway, Durham Magazine
Original source: The Northern Echo
