American company takes over heritage railway (From The Northern Echo)

American company takes over heritage railway

1:12pm Friday 5th September 2008

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AN American rail company has taken over a troubled North-East tourist line.

Iowa Pacific Holdings, which operates six passenger and freight railways in the US, has bought a 75 per cent stake in the Weardale Railway, County Durham.

It takes over from the London-based ECT Group, which has offloaded all its rail operations.

The Americans are known to be keen to extend the Weardale line to Bishop Auckland, establishing a link with mainline services and creating a heritage loop with Darlington and the Locomotion rail museum at Shildon.

At present the railway covers a five-mile route between Wolsingham and Stanhope Stations.

Ed Ellis, president of Iowa Pacific, said: "We believe in the community rail model and look forward to developing freight, tourist and passenger services on the two railways, and to sustained, profitable growth.

"The experienced staff and management in both the UK and US will be able to add value in all locations.

"In addition, we are excited about the support from other stakeholders, particularly at the Weardale Railway, who are making it a vital attraction in the community."

Ian Gardner, chairman of the Weardale Railway Trust, said: "It's been a long few months.

"The Trust look forward to working with Ed Ellis and his team, in driving the project forwarding getting the line open to Bishop Auckland and reconnected to the main line as well as developing the services we can offer to our visitors."

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