As there are several operating railways and other venues of railway interest within the area of the North East England and Yorkshire we are taking this opportunity of listing brief details of these in the hope that these will be of interest and use to coach and tour operators. Whilst the Association will be please to offer advice and assistance it is recommended that operators first make contact with the venues listed below.

Issued by the

HRA, Travel Trade Liason, 8 Ffordd Dyfrig, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9EH Tel/Fax 01654 710344

• Bowes Railway
  One of the oldest former industrial railways in the UK, the unique feature of the Bowes Railway is that it has Britain's only preserved operational rope-hauled standard gauge incline which can be displayed to visiting groups by prior arrangement. Other features include a short steam hauled passenger train ride on a restored section of mineral railway (1½ miles); exhibition of the railway's 175 year history. Guided tours are available by arrangement.
  Bowes Railway website.

• Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Vintage Carriages Trust Museum of Rail Travel
  The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is operated entirely by volunteers, it has a fine collection of preserved locomotives and the railway recreates a typical branch line scene from the 1950's and early 1960's. The railway will be operating extra vintage trains during the August 26 to 28 weekend.
  The Vintage Carriages Trust Museum is adjacent to Ingrow Station on the KWVR.
  Keighley and Worth Valley Railway website and Vintage Carriages Trust website

• Middleton Railway
  This is a preserved section of 'the world's oldest working railway', authorised by the first railway Act of Parliament in 1758, and also the first standard gauge railway to be taken over by volunteers in 1960.
  Middleton Railway website

• National Railway Museum
  In addition to their usual extensive range of railway exhibits and activities, the Museum has arranged some additional activities during the period from Saturday 26 August to Wednesday 30 August. These will include:
  • Replica's of Stephensons Rocket and the Iron Duke will be in steam giving rides.
  • Footplate access to two famous locomotives - Evening Star and Mallard.
  • Deltic locomotive 55019 Royal Highland Fusiller
  • Green Arrow in steam for part of the weekend with footplate access.
  • Tours of the Warehouse in The Works
  National Railway Museum website

• North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish
  Beamish is a living and working experience of life as it was in the North of England in the 1800's and 1900's. A manor house, colliery village, a town and home farm can all be visited but items of particular railway interest are the Railway Station area (1913) plus the 1825 railway giving short rides behind the replica of Locomotion No 1. There is also an operating electric tramway.
  Special for weekend of 26 to 28 August - Demonstrations of 1803 Trevithic London Steam Road Carriage and 1833 Hancock Steam Carriage. Also, the rolling chassis of new replica locomotive Steam Elephant of 1815 will be on display.
  Beamish website

• North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  This 18 mile standard gauge line runs through the picturesque North York Moors National Park and is host to an extensive collection of main line locomotives.
  North Yorkshire Moors Railway website

• South Tynedale Railway
  A narrow gauge railway running 2¼ miles through the attractive scenery of the South Tyne Valley at the northern end of the Penninie mountain range. A new extension to Kirkhaugh opened in June 2000. A visit here could include very attractive road journeys (partly on Michelin scenic routes) from both Hexham and Darlington.
  South Tynedale Railway website

• Stephenson Railway Museum and North Tyneside Railway
  The Museum features locomotives and exhibits which illustrate the development of railways from the early days of waggonways. The associated North Tyneside Railway operates for 3 miles from the Museum.
  North Tyneside Railway website

• Tanfield Railway
  The Tanfield Railway is one of the oldest railways in the World as the route of the line dates back to 1725 with structures and buildings dating from the 1700's and the 1800's. The railway is therefore celebrating its 275th Anniversary in August 2000.
  Special events over the August Bank Holiday weekend will include a photographic display, vintage workshop in operation, special 'Farne Islander' vintage passenger train plus demonstration freight train.
  Tanfield Railway website