2006 Community Rail Festival 22-24  September centred on Darlington 

This year's Community Rail Festival will take place in Darlington and the North East over the Weekend of September 22-24, having been held very successfully in Norwich last year. The event is co-ordinated by ACoRP and is funded by Northern Rail, GNER and Trans Pennine Express. Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council, Wear Valley and Sedgefield District Councils and the National Railway Museum are major sponsors of the three day event.

The festival will include: 

1] Station gala at Darlington Bank Top station featuring heritage and modern diesel / electric traction; family events incl. miniature railway, music and theatre, displays from the railway industry, community groups and local authorities. 

2] Heritage event at Locomotion [Shildon] with several main line locomotives in steam and a wide range of events on site. 

3] Mini galas at stations between Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Saltburn with enhanced Northern service on Saturday and Sunday with on-train events. 

The programme organised by the Weardale Railway at Bishop Auckland Station is as follows: 

a] Historic display of Bishop Auckland Station photos, local Railways and quarries/mines. Former railway employees present.
b] Live Music.
c] Miniature Steam Railway.
d] Steam Road vehicle.
e] Catering and refreshments.
f] Bus connection: Bishop Auckland to Wolsingham for Weardale Railway.
g] Railfest website is: www.communityrailfest.org.uk

 4] ACoRP's annual Community Rail Awards Dinner will be held at Locomotion Shildon, on Friday evening September 22nd.