Northern charity service tickets are on sale for a one-off passenger run on Sunday 22 February, when the operator will work a special trip along the Darlington line.

Northern charity service: Weardale Railway special
Photo: Northern

On Northern, the operator says the train will depart from Darlington station, travel out and back over the Weardale Railway, and then return to Darlington. It will be the first time the operator has run a service on a heritage rail line.

Weardale Railway heritage line and recent investment

First opened in 1847, the Weardale Railway is now a popular visitor attraction in County Durham, offering heritage journeys over a 16-mile route between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope. The line was saved from administration in 2020 by The Auckland Project, which has since backed essential repairs and other infrastructure improvements to keep the route operating for passengers.

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Railway 200 fundraiser and local charities

Northern says the trip is being staged as part of Railway 200 and will operate as a one-of-a-kind charity rail service. All proceeds are set to be donated to two local organisations: The Angel Trust, based in Bishop Auckland, and 123help4familys, based in Stanhope. The service also has a historical link, as it will follow a section of the route taken by the world’s first passenger train in 1825.

Jason Wade, a service delivery director at Northern, called it a rare chance to travel on a Northern train over the Weardale Railway and take in the scenery. He added that places are limited and encouraged people to book early, while also thanking volunteers for the work and planning needed to make the run possible.

Northern charity service timetable and stops

The published schedule shows a Class 158 unit departing Darlington at 09:46, calling at Newton Aycliffe at 09:57 and Shildon at 10:01, before arriving at Bishop Auckland West at 10:42. From there, it will continue along the Darlington to Stanhope route over the Weardale Railway, reaching Stanhope at 12:00. The train is due to leave Stanhope at 13:00 and call again at Bishop Auckland West at 14:00 before returning to Stanhope.

Later in the day, the service will depart Stanhope at 15:50, calling at Bishop Auckland West at 17:00, Shildon at 17:22 and Newton Aycliffe at 17:31, before arriving back in Darlington at 17:44. Tickets cost 25 GBP and are available via the Weardale Railway ticket page, with further service details also reported by Railway-News.

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