Volunteer-run railway future secured with lease

Railway enthusiasts have been granted a 25-year lease to continue the restoration of a track.

The group took over Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway, in Ashington, in 2024 and had asked Northumberland County Council for a workable lease so they could officially submit funding applications and ease the financial challenges of the modernising work.

Group member, Christine Heath said the work was almost complete and she hoped the railway can open to the public around Easter 2027.

A spokesperson for the council said it had given the group £15,000 to refurbish the the lakeside platform and £5,000 to restore rolling stock.

Heath said the Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway group has 20 regular volunteers who initially met up to tinker with old engines, but "then got a bit ambitious" and decided to "restore the whole track".

The one kilometre-long (0.62 mile) track had fallen into a state of disrepair since it closed in 2018.

Northumberland County Council own the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park and the group said lease discussions started in 2024, but the initial terms were too expensive.

Heath said terms were finally reached in September with the help of law firm Muckle LLP.

"Without the lease we could have been evicted at any time should the council have chosen to do that, which would have meant all the hard work was for nothing," Heath said.

"But it also means we weren't ever able to apply for funding because without the security of the lease, nobody will fund you.

"It just gives you a bit of breathing space."

Heath said they were "adamant" to open to the public next year because they have had "that many setbacks and that many hurdles" thrown at them.

A council spokesperson said: "We look forward to seeing the railway open in the coming months."

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