Richard Holden was super excited to be one of the first passengers on the Weardale Heritage line from Stanhope to Wolsingham.
Richard says of the journey:
"Absolutely delighted to join Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowden, David Madden from The Auckland Project and lots of tourists on the first stretch of the #WeardaleLine to be re-opened for Heritage yesterday.
"There are now trains running every Saturday between at 1100, 1300 and 1500 from Stanhope-Frosterley-Kingfisher-Wolsingham and back at 1130 1330 and 1530.
"It’s fantastic that this first step has been taken and they are already working on extending the Heritage service during the summer months and the line on which it can travel.
"My suggestion bid for a feasibility study via my ‘Restoring Your Railways Bid’ for the #Weardale line, backed by The Auckland Project and Durham County Council, will report this summer which is looking at the broader options for the whole line from Bishop Auckland and will include new ideas for active travel (cycling and walking) alongside the line and it’s route and for a ‘#Crook Spur’ with through passenger services from #Stanhope to #Darlington. Of course this will be alongside heritage services via the Weardale Railway Trust and Weardale Railway Heritage Services Ltd
"Massive thanks are due to all the volunteers and enthusiasts who have kept the line going. It’s great to see this heritage service operating again and I look forward to it having an even better future."
