A light at the end

of the tunnel

THE North-East is guilty of shunting its rich railway heritage into the sidings.

It should be a proud, gleaming asset. Instead, much of it is rusting, decaying, hidden, and in grave danger of being forgotten.

"Treasuring Our Railway Heritage" is the title given to our campaign aimed at making the region wake up to the huge potential of owning the world's first steam-powered railway.

Perhaps that awakening is finally beginning. Yesterday, in Darlington, councillors discussed a five-year plan to transform Darlington Railway Centre and Museum from an uninspiring, drab place into a tourist attraction capable of firing young and old minds.

That £3.5m plan would lead to a bid for World Heritage Site status, encompassing an original stretch of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

At one end of that stretch would be the revamped Darlington museum, with Shildon's Timothy Hackworth Victorian and Railway Museum at the other.

With the latter about to be greatly enhanced by an offshoot of the National Railway Museum, the time to capitalise on a golden opportunity is now.

It will not be a short journey. Vision must be coupled with a sound business plan to ensure that the financial structure is in place to make it all worthwhile. All of that will take time and patience.

We hope the plans which have been unveiled come to fruition. Indeed we hope that the momentum continues to build and that neighbouring local authorities and associated public bodies see the need to work as partners.

The railways changed the world - they were born in our region. Let's not forget it.

THE death of Wayne Neilson, aged just 31, will touch many people.

Wayne, a gifted artist, died in his mother's arms after fighting a freak illness for six years.

His family's sadness has been eased by the knowledge that he was able to die at home in Bishop Auckland, in a specially-equipped suite built through the generosity of an army of fundraisers.

All those well-wishers - no matter how much or how little they may have given - should take pride in the part they played in easing the suffering of a special young man.