00:01The manager of what is believed to be the world's oldest railway says that heritage
00:06attractions must keep evolving in order to survive. Tanfield Railway, which runs across
00:11Gateshead and County Durham, dates back to 1725 and now attracts around 30,000 visitors
00:18each year. After a dip in attendance during the Covid pandemic, visitor numbers rose by
00:2425% in 2024 and a further 5% in 2025. Manager David Watchman says more hands-on experiences
00:32are driving demand, with new opportunities to drive steam trains being introduced this
00:37summer alongside existing diesel experiences that are run largely by volunteers.
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