FUNDING for two key appointments has moved railway enthusiasts' dream of opening up a redundant line a step closer.

The Weardale Railway Trust is taking on a project manager, Tyneside project engineer Tony Greeno, and outdoor works manager Dave Foxton, from Shildon, a steam fanatic who leads a group restoring rolling stock for the track, which has not seen passenger service for 50 years.

Their new office at Stanhope station will also be paid for by grants from the North Pennines Leader+ programme, the Countryside Agency (Rural Transport Partnership) and the Rural Development Programme (County Durham Economic Partnership/One NorthEast).

The trust is negotiating with line owner Railtrack to buy the line between Bishop Auckland and Eastgate, and hopes to be able to run demonstration trains later this year.

But its dream of a quick return to a full community service was set back in January, when the Strategic Rail Authority announced the nationwide closure of its Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, which would have provided essential funding.

In the meantime, membership of the trust has increased by more than a third, and volunteers have come forward to work on vehicles and clear overgrown track.

Spokesman Steve Raine said last night: "Now that we have a core of full-time staff, we can organise efficiently and safely the voluntary effort and develop the detailed work programme for the restoration of a train service.

"After all the news of closures in the Wear Valley over the last few months, we hope that we can build on our present momentum and be able to open a new facility which will provide both employment and benefit the local economy."

The trust is marking the 50th anniversary of Weardale's last passenger service with a transport festival on June 28 and 29.

Archivist John Askwith has put together a photographic record of the line, including a look back to 1953, with the help of passengers from the last train.

It opens at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Monday, continues until April 26 and moves to Shildon Library on May 3