Guests attending the 2025 Community Rail Awards are invited to enjoy a free return journey on a Class 31 heritage locomotive from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope.

Alongside the gala event – which takes place in Newcastle on Thursday 13 March – community rail partnerships in the region are showcasing many heritage, railway and cultural attractions in the North East.

This is a great chance for UK-wide colleagues to see first-hand, the wonderful work Bishop Line CRP, Tyne Valley CRP and Esk Valley Railway Development Company do to support communities and their railway.

This free event, organised by Bishop Line CRP, runs on Friday 14 March.

The train departs at 11:30 from Bishop Auckland West (the start of the heritage Weardale Railway line), and passengers will enjoy a leisurely journey along the line and through the dales to Stanhope, capturing many iconic beauty spots along the way. The train will return to Bishop Auckland West in time for the 15:27 train to Darlington.

Buy your tickets here – hurry, spaces are selling fast!

Find out more about the other added value supporting ‘fringe activities’ on offer here.