Bowes Railway makes volunteer plea
AN APPEAL for volunteers and specialist assistance has been issued by the Bowes Railway as it looks to reinstate demonstration trains for the first time in several years ahead of its bicentenary in 2026.
The plea was made in a written response addressing concerns expressed to The RM regarding the future of the railway, the preserved part of what was once a 15-mile route conveying coal from County Durham collieries to the River Tyne.
Straddling the boundary between Gateshead and Sunderland, the Bowes Railway is listed by Historic England as a scheduled monument and features what is believed to be the world’s only preserved standard gauge rope haulage system.
It suffered a severe loss of income when it was unable to stage large-scale annual events as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, and has also seen a decline in the number of active volunteers since the pandemic.
Vandalism
Sources close to the railway say that in recent months they have begun to fear further for its viability due to vandalism and attempted break-ins. They also claim that numerous building and site repairs are required, along with the clearance of dense undergrowth and shrubs from the trackbed.
One source told The RM that two steam locomotives had now “lain idle for over four years with no known attempt to fund repairs”, adding that the lack of any operational engines was a major drawback as it looked to attract more visitors.
Responding on behalf of the Bowes Railway Company Trustees, Dave Hall told The RM that there was “a continual struggle around achieving the goal for running demonstrations of the rolling stock”, which was down to a lack of both funding and railway operations knowledge among the volunteers and the board.
A small pool of enthusiasts has been supporting the maintenance of the five locomotives on site, but Mr Hall explained that, to date, none had been restored to operational condition. He said that the board was in “ongoing dialogue” with the Railway Inspectorate regarding safety and training needs.
The trustees say the charity remains financially viable and that site security action is being taken following specialist advice.
Having obtained grants for some repairs, they continue to carry out regular safety audits and are asking volunteers to identify needs for general repairs which they will seek approval to complete under scheduled monument regulations.
They told The RM that issues with overgrown track are being addressed and that further offers of assistance are welcome.
Historic England
Having been paused due to the pandemic, Historic England confirmed that discussions with the railway have resumed regarding the next steps for repairs and maintenance. It says it takes the task of protecting the site “very seriously” and is keen to work with the Bowes Railway Company to introduce a Heritage Watch scheme, involving volunteers and members of the community acting as “the ‘eyes and ears’ of the local police service.”
The RM contacted Sunderland City Council (which leases the eastern end of the trackbed and the main site at Springwell to the railway) and Gateshead Council (the owner of the western end of the route) to ask about their roles in ensuring the Bowes Railway’s future, but their responses were still awaited as this article went to press.
■ Any individual, group, or business who may be able to offer general help or input with training and expertise as the railway assesses the task of returning locomotives to operational condition and resuming train movements is asked to contact Ritchie on 07813 774564.