The Weardale Railway has announced that they have deferred their reopening until 2022.

The railway previously said that it was their intention to run a limited Christmas service this year, with a decision in October 2021 after work was completed on the infrastructure and rolling stock.

However, Weardale Railway Limited management has said that whilst good progress has been made on this work, it has not been possible to complete the necessary work in the timeframe and it will not be able to run any trains at Christmas.

Wayne Dixon, Operations Manager at WRL, has confirmed though, that it is hoped that remedial works will be completed in time for the railway to reopen in February 2022.

For the Christmas services, the Weardale Railway Trust was going to provide the diesel multiple units for these services, which would have been operated by Trust volunteers.

Work is ongoing to restore the BR Class 108 unit to operational condition, and whilst they have made good progress, this too is yet to be completed.

Kevin Richardson, Trust Chairman, has thanked Trust members who came forward to volunteer for the Christmas trains.

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Discounts, videos, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
Weardale Railway
Visit their website