Northern to run service along heritage railway line for the first time

Northern will run a service along a heritage railway line for the first time, to raise money for charity. Tickets are now on sale for the service, which will set off from Darlington station on Sunday, 22 February and complete a return trip along Weardale Railway before heading back to Darlington.

Northern has been working closely with Weardale Railway to organise this event.

The railway, which opened in 1847, is a popular tourist attraction and allows visitors to travel on heritage trains along a picturesque 16-mile route. It runs between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope in County Durham.  

In 2020, it was saved from administration by The Auckland Project, which has since provided significant investment to fund essential repairs and infrastructure improvements.

Northern will be running a Class 158 train along the line and it will call at a number of stations, including Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope. 

Tickets are being sold for £25 and the proceeds will be donated to two local charities: The Angel Trust, based in Bishop Auckland, and 123help4familys, based in Stanhope. 

The special train is being run as part of Railway 200 – the nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.   

When the service runs between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, it will follow part of the route taken by the world's first passenger train, back in 1825. 

Jason Wade, a service delivery director at Northern, said: “This is a very rare opportunity for people to travel on a Northern train along the Weardale Railway and enjoy some stunning scenery.  

“There are a limited number of tickets, so if you’d like to join us on board please book now to avoid missing out.

“It has taken a lot of hard work and planning to get to this point and I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered to help make this happen.  

“We’re really excited about this service, as it will be the first time Northern Trains has operated a passenger train on a heritage railway line and we have a chance to raise money for two fantastic local charities.” 

Claire Gibbons, general manager at Weardale Railway, said: “This is a truly special moment for the Weardale Railway.

"Welcoming a Northern service onto our heritage line for the first time celebrates both our railway’s rich history and its future, while giving more people the chance to experience this beautiful part of County Durham — all while supporting local charities.”

Jane Ruffer, chief executive at The Auckland Project, said: “The Weardale Railway is a vital part of our region’s heritage and community, and this partnership with Northern is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through collaboration.

"It’s a rare and exciting opportunity for passengers, and one that helps ensure this historic line continues to thrive for generations to come, while also raising much-needed funds for local charities.”

The service will depart from Darlington station at 9.46am and call at Newton Aycliffe (9.57am), Shildon (10.01am) and Bishop Auckland West (10.42am), before travelling along the Weardale Railway and stopping at Stanhope (12.00pm).

The service will complete a trip along the full length of the heritage railway line, departing from Stanhope at 1pm and calling at Bishop Auckland West (2pm) before returning to Stanhope. 

It will then depart from Stanhope at 3.50pm and call at Bishop Auckland West (5pm) Shildon (5.22pm), Newton Aycliffe (5.31pm) and Darlington (5.44pm).

Tickets can be purchased here: Buy Northern Service to Weardale 22 Feb 2026 Tickets online - Weardale Railway

Spanning 18 miles, from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate, and operating 16 miles between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope, Weardale Railway is a heritage line that connects communities while celebrating County Durham’s rich railway history.

The Weardale Railway is part of The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity transforming Bishop Auckland into a leading visitor destination through its unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, and gardens.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.