Heritage Open Days at Tanfield Railway
Sunday 14th, Thursday 18th & Sunday 21st September 2025, 10.30am – 4pm
Join us for Heritage Open Days 2025 at Tanfield Railway and discover over 300 years of history at the world’s oldest railway. Entry is free of charge.
This year’s national theme is Architecture – an invitation to explore the buildings, bridges, and structures that surround us, uncovering the stories, makers, and materials that shaped them. From grand monuments to modest working buildings, the theme looks at:
- Buildings and Structures – from Gibraltar bridge and Andrews House station to Marley Hill sheds and workshops, exploring the heritage and purpose of what has been built.
- Makers and Materials – the people who constructed these buildings, and the bricks, stone, timber, iron, and other materials they used.
- Design and Construction – how the Tanfield Railway and their structures have been created, adapted, and rebuilt over time.
Find out more about the national programme on the Heritage Open Days website.
What’s On
Creative Activities (Sundays 14th & 21st September)
Join a local artist in Marley Hill Carriage Shed and take part in drawing workshops inspired by the shapes and colours of Armstrong Whitworth built diesel locomotive D21.
Guided Tours: From the 1700s to the Future
Take a walking tour starting from Marley Hill Carriage Shed and explore centuries of railway architecture and construction. Along the way you’ll discover:
- Gibraltar Bridge
- Andrews House Station
- Marley Hill Carriage Shed
- 5-road storage shed
- Plans for our future storage shed
Discover the 1854 Marley Hill Engine Shed
Step inside the world’s oldest working engine shed. Explore how it was built, the different materials used, and the roles of those who constructed and rebuilt it – from its original design through major reconstructions in the 1930s and the 2020s.
On the Footplate
Climb aboard the footplate of one of our locomotives and learn about the role of the driver and fireman, as well as the controls that power the locomotive.
Kids Activities
Children can get involved with hands-on activities inspired by railway design and construction:
- Draw Your Own Engine Shed – choose your favourite materials, from stone or brick to wrinkly tin or roof tiles, and design your own railway building.
- Colour Your Steam Locomotive – Victorian steam locomotives were often painted in elegant and elaborate styles, just like many buildings and architecture of their time. What colour scheme would you choose for your own tank engine?
Thursday 18th September Only – Footplate rides onboard diesel locomotive TIC No.35 (11am – 2.30pm, 18 years+)
Step aboard our diesel locomotive Tyne Improvement Commission No.35 for a short footplate trip. 18 years and over. Footplate rides start and finish from Andrews House station.
Thursday 18th September Only – Behind the Scenes at Marley Hill Signal Box (11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm)
Step inside Marley Hill Signal Box and discover why it was built here, how it was constructed, and the crucial role of the signalman in keeping trains safe.
Trains and Refreshments
- Sundays 14th & 21st September: Heritage train rides will be running throughout the day (additional charge applies), with refreshments available from Andrews House Station and East Tanfield Station.
- Thursday 18th September: A non-train operating day. Light refreshments will be available from Marley Hill Carriage Shed Canteen.