Nearest Heritage Railway to Hartlepool

[crispy1978]

Am going away for a long weekend near Hartlepool next month and wondering if anyone knows of the nearest heritage railway to there?

I've found the Wearside from Wolsingham to Stanhope - is there a closer one?

 

[ainsworth74]

There are plenty around (Weardale, Wensleydale and NYMR are probably the largest). I think you might find the North Tyneside and Tanfield to be a bit closer than the Weardale (or at least easier to get to) but both are bit on the short side (they're only a couple of miles the other three are fifteen plus).

There is also the Bowes Railway if you fancy something a bit different.

 

[crispy1978]

There are plenty around (Weardale, Wensleydale and NYMR are probably the largest). I think you might find the North Tyneside and Tanfield to be a bit closer than the Weardale (or at least easier to get to) but both are bit on the short side (they're only a couple of miles the other three are fifteen plus).

There is also the Bowes Railway if you fancy something a bit different.

Thanks. I've done Wensleydale earlier in the year, and NYMR is on my doorstep which I've done plenty of times.

Will have a look at North Tyneside, Tanfield and Bowes is intriguing me too!

 

[Simon11]

I always find this useful to check nearby places:

http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php

 

[crispy1978]

I think Tanfield is the one which is interesting me most.

Riding the train is important to me - Bowes doesn't seem to run the weekend I'm up there and the North Tyneside wasn't ticking the boxes for me.

 

[sprinterguy]

The Tanfield Railway is a great little line in my opinion. Despite it's relatively short length it still feels like you get a proper journey out of it. The open balconies on some of the coaching stock - home built bodies on older frames, I think - add interest.

I much prefer it to the Bowes or North Tyneside Railways, personally. There's some pleasant and undemanding little walks can be made through Causey Woods and over the 1725 built Causey arch adjacent to its namesake station if you were so minded, including a nice easy little circuit down towards East Tanfield and back.

 

[crispy1978]

Definitely doing the Tanfield next Sunday! Looking forward to it

I like the slightly unusual nature of the timetable as well so you get plenty of opportunity to explore off-piste if you like too!
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Has anyone done the Tanfield? I get the impression you can walk between the stations to visit some of the other bits of scenery (Causey Arch for example). Which bits are most worthwhile exploring? We don't want to walk it all, but if there are aspects which would improve our day we'll happily look at them!

 

[sprinterguy]

To add a bit more detail to my previous post, you can walk between any and all of the stations on the Tanfield Railway as they are all linked by footpaths, however the most attractive section is through Causey woods between Causey Arch and East Tanfield. You can either undertake an undemanding circular walk from Causey Arch station, passing over the 1725 built arch which is located just outside of the station, or do it linearly between East Tanfield and Causey Arch stations (or vice versa).

 

[crispy1978]

To add a bit more detail to my previous post, you can walk between any and all of the stations on the Tanfield Railway as they are all linked by footpaths, however the most attractive section is through Causey woods between Causey Arch and East Tanfield. You can either undertake an undemanding circular walk from Causey Arch station, passing over the 1725 built arch which is located just outside of the station, or do it linearly between East Tanfield and Causey Arch stations (or vice versa).

Excellent, thank you. Quite like the idea of seeing the arch. All dependant on the weather on Sunday I guess!
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Did the Tanfield yesterday.

Thought it was a fantastic little set-up, run by a very good set of volunteers, including a lot of youngsters which is great to see.

Was pulled by two steam trains (No. 2 and Sir Cecil A. Cochrane)

They had a little cafe in the Marley Hill sheds which I think was on the first day in anticipation of their gala weekend next week - very reasonably priced.

Would thoroughly recommend this to anyone.