The Tanfield Railway holds a unique place in history as the world's oldest railway, with origins stretching back to 1725 when wooden wagonways were first laid to carry coal from the County Durham collieries to the River Tyne. Today, the railway operates a 3-mile route through the beautiful wooded Causey Valley, hauling passengers in restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages behind a remarkable collection of industrial steam locomotives. The line passes close to Causey Arch, built in 1727 and recognised as the world's oldest surviving railway bridge. The railway is entirely volunteer-run and operates steam services on Sundays throughout the year, with additional services on Saturdays and some weekday specials. A visit to Tanfield is a journey not just through the landscape of the Durham coalfield, but through the entire history of the railway age itself.