A MISSING piece of railway history is being returned to the country's newest line by a group of enthusiasts.

A crane once used in the Wolsingham Goods Yard will be given pride of place on its old base alongside the Weardale Railway, in County Durham.

It disappeared many years ago and railway volunteers had forgotten where it had been taken.

With the reopening of the line on Saturday fast approaching, they asked The Northern Echo to help track it down.

Now it has turned up in the hands of the Darlington Railway Preservation Society, whose members have agreed that Wolsingham is its rightful home.

Chairman Barrie Lamb said: "We got it about 15 years ago when we heard it was going to be cut up. The station was in private hands and it was in danger of being lost.

"Now we feel it should go back where it came from. That is its proper home.

"It is important to preserve all our railways and we support what they are doing in Weardale.

"We all work together to get North-East railways back on the map and encourage people from all over the world to come and see where it all started."

Weardale Railway archivist John Askwith said: "This is excellent news. It is great that railway groups can work together like this. We had a tremendous response to our appeal."

Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate has made a series of checks on the line, which is expected to be classified as an operating railway from today.

The line officially reopens on Saturday morning with a ceremony at Stanhope Station, and a celebration journey from Stanhope Station to Frosterley and Wolsingham.

Fares on the first train 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.

For more details, call 0845- 600 1348 or (01388) 529566, or visit www.weardale-railway. org.uk