WHEN the first regular passenger train for 50 years steams out of a rural station next weekend, it will carry a tribute to a steam stalwart who died without seeing his dream of reopening a redundant line fulfilled.

Retired milkman John Woods was one of an original band of determined volunteers who, in the early 1990s, set about restoring services to the Weardale Railway, in County Durham.

Following his death in 1999, his fellow volunteers in the Weardale Railway Trust pledged that his name would be carried with pride on the first locomotive to steam out of Stanhope, his home town.

A headboard is being painted for the engine, one of two waiting at the line's depot at Wolsingham for Saturday's opening ceremony.

Yesterday, locomotive NER P3 0-6-0 No 2392 arrived on loan from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to join Tanfield Railway's Newcastle-built Robert Stephenson Hawthorn Austerity 0-6-0ST, ex-NCB No 49.

Both will be in steam on Saturday pulling carriages containing invited dignitaries and fare-paying passengers on six-mile return trips between Stanhope and Wolsingham.

Mr Woods' widow, Lillian, and members of his family have been invited to join in the celebrations.

Steve Raine, chairman of the Weardale Railway Trust, which has worked with Weardale Railways Ltd to restore the service, said: "Although I never met John, I know he was the driving force at the beginning of the attempt to reopen the line.

"It was his energy and enthusiasm that made the whole project possible in the early days. His contribution will not be forgotten."

Mr Woods, along with his daughter Katharine, was one of the founder members of the trust's forerunner, the Weardale Railway Society, which was supported by pop impresario Pete Waterman and construction boss Sir William McAlpine, still the railway company's chairman.

When Prince Charles was shown an exhibition of plans for the line, he told Mr Woods of his wish to ride on a train.

Katharine said: "The railway meant a lot to him, and it means a lot to us that he has been remembered."

Seats are available on Saturday's first return run between Stanhope and Wolsingham, which sets off at 11.15am. Fares are £30 for adults, £18 for children, and include special presentation bags. Normal fares are £5 return for adults, £4 senior citizens and £3 children, or ask for family rates.

To book or for further details, call 0845 6001348 or (01388) 529566.