Tanfield Railway in Colour
The Preservation Years
Published on 15. March 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
96 pages
978-1-3981-2483-7 (ISBN)
Description
In 2025 the Tanfield Railway in County Durham celebrates its 300th anniversary, having been constructed in 1725 as a wagonway to carry coal from the North Durham coalfields to the River Tyne. By the 1960s it was in the hands of British Railways before volunteers took over early the following decade. Since that time the heritage railway has developed as a centre for the preservation of industrial locomotives, which operate over a 3-mile section from East Tanfield to Sunniside. Notable locations along the route include Causey Arch, the first bridge built to carry a railway in 1726, and Marley Hill, the oldest continuously operating engine shed, built in 1854. Although constructed for the transportation of coal, passenger trains now run regularly for visitors on Sundays, between March and October, and in December, the North Pole Express takes eager children to visit Father Christmas. Train enthusiasts are also catered for with demonstration coal trains and an annual gala weekend. All these events are possible due to the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers of all ages who ensure that traditional skills are passed from one generation to the next.
Henry Elliott and Dave Hewitt illustrate Tanfield's story as a heritage railway with stunning photographs and informative captions.
Henry Elliott and Dave Hewitt illustrate Tanfield's story as a heritage railway with stunning photographs and informative captions.
Reviews / Votes
'Overall, a very pleasing illustrated record of what has been achieved during half a century of Tanfield Railway preservation.' -- The Railway Magazine, July 2025More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chalford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
180 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
308 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3981-2483-7 (9781398124837)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Henry Elliott was born in the North East of England and has been photographing railways for the last thirty years. He has travelled all over Britain for material, some of which has been published by magazines such as Steam Railway and Heritage Railway. Dave Hewitt was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire and quickly became a rail enthusiast. He became interested in railway photography after taking early retirement from a teaching career, beginning with his local heritage railway, Tanfield. He has visited many lines in England and Wales and over the last twenty years has made at least one trip a year to North America to photograph trains in the US and Canada. He is a volunteer at the Tanfield Railway.