Take a Ride on the World’s Oldest Railway in Gateshead

All aboard! Are you looking for a fun, family day out? Or perhaps you’re a train enthusiast? Then Tanfield Railway is just the ticket! As the oldest railway in the world, sit back in your unique vintage Victorian carriage and enjoy a trip into the past as you are gently pulled along by a lovingly restored, steam locomotive.

Originally constructed to transfer coal to the River Tyne, when the Tanfield Railway was built in 1725 it was a revelation. Its massive engineering was unlike anything else in that era, or since the Roman Empire for that matter! It was a sign that the industrial age was arriving, and the world would never be the same. In the 1960s a small group of friends decided that something must be done to save the North East’s railway heritage. Since then, the Tanfield Railway has been rebuilt and preserved by passionate volunteers.

Let off some steam and enjoy a six-mile round trip through the beautiful rolling countryside and a spectacular wooded valley. Then, after your adventure fast track to the station’s cafe, a beautiful Victorian tearoom, and enjoy a drink and a snack.

• Trips last 2-3 hours
• Tickets cost £30 per compartment (maximum of 6 people per compartment)
• Be aware that steam locomotives may have hot surfaces and emit sudden loud noises!