STEAM enthusiasts have officially launched a historic railway van which played an important role in transporting millions of tons of coal to the North-East’s ports.

The unique brake van was unveiled at the Tanfield Railway, near Stanley, today (Sunday February 22) following the completion of the most comprehensive overhaul of its 69-year lifespan.

Built in 1946, before nationalisation of the coal industry, at the Philadelphia workshops of the Lambton Hetton and Joicey Collieries near Houghton-le-Spring, brake van No 7 spent over two decades ensuring that coal trains safely made their way to the River Wear.

Bringing up the rear of trains running over the route from Penshaw to Sunderland, guards would use the brake vans hand brake to control the speed of trains and ensure a smooth journey.

It was later transferred to Seaham where it worked with trains serving collieries in the area.

Preserved by volunteers from the Tanfield Railway in the 1980s, the van began to show its age in the early years of the 21st Century.

About 18 months ago volunteers set about repairing No 7, using over a tonne of timber to replace damaged and rotten components on the wooden chassis and body.

The brake van will be a vital element of demonstration coal trains being run all day on Sunday as part of a special event on the Tanfield line to recall the important role that the railways played in transporting goods before the coming of the motorway.

Tanfield Railway trustee, Derek Smith, said: “Coal train brake vans might not be the most glamorous artefact our rich railway heritage has produced, but in many ways that’s what makes No 7 more important.

“It was built and operated by men dedicated to ensuring that the regions coal made it to ships as quickly and efficiently as possible… men with skill and talent who took great pride in their work. This brake van is a lasting tribute to them all.”

The brake van featured in working demonstrations all day.