Join Tanfield Railway this September for the Diesel Pioneers Gala, a standout event in our Tanfield300 and Railway 200 celebrations! Taking place on the 20th and 21st of September 2025, this gala is a tribute to the industrial diesel locomotives that played a vital role in Britain’s railway heritage.
Discover the power and versatility of our industrial diesel collection with all operational home fleet diesels in service, a mix of passenger and freight trains running throughout the weekend, opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of historic diesel locomotion and fantastic photographic opportunities across our historic railway and stunning locations like Marley Hill Engine shed.
Tanfield Railway, operating between Sunniside in Gateshead and East Tanfield in County Durham, is the world’s oldest railway, dating back to 1725. It is now a 3 mile volunteer-run heritage line that operates steam and diesel hauled trains, offering visitors a journey through centuries of railway history. As well as preserving an important collection of North East locomotives and rolling stock, the railway is home to the historic 1854-built Marley Hill engine shed and the renowned Causey Arch, the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge.
Tanfield traces its history back to over 100 years before the Stockton and Darlington Railway, when it was originally built as a waggonway to transport coal from the North East’s rich coalfields to the River Tyne. Using wooden rails and horse-drawn waggons, it was a pioneering development in railway history, laying the groundwork for future advancements in rail transport.