Weardale Railway saved by Auckland Project - with plans to link up to mainline

[Jeff Smith]

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... t-17932101

County Durham heritage railway had been put up for sale by its American owners earlier this year

A heritage railway in the North East has been saved by a charity that is aiming to transform a town in County Durham - with plans to eventually link it to the mainline railway.

The Auckland Project, which was launched by billionaire Jonathan Ruffer after his purchase of Auckland Castle and the Zurbaran paintings in 2011, has bought the Weardale Railway, which stretches from Bishop Auckland into the heart of Weardale.

The railway was put up for sale by its American owners, Iowa Pacific, earlier this year. It has now been bought out of administration, and the Trust has launched a campaign to reinstate the western section of the historic Stockton to Darlington Railway, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025.
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