The original line is probably most famous as being the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives when they were first introduced in 1833.The area was linked with a prestigious and long list of railway heritage, with several railway-related works and engineering facilities to be found throughout the network.
The Weardale and & Teesdale Network faithfully recreates the main lines and branch lines around the area as they were between 1950 and 1960, just before the Beeching closures, recreating almost all of the 100 miles of rail lines between Durham City, Darlington, Middleton-in-Teesdale and Wearhead.Much of this extensive railway network and many of those famous landmarks suffered at the hands of Dr Beeching, whose sweeping changes to the British rail network in the 1960s closed many of the branch lines to passenger traffic.Classic BR green liveried diesel traction is also represented, in the guise of the Class 08, Class 25, Class 37 and Class 101, along with Mk1 blood and custard coaching stock and a number of freight wagons, including a 21t Mineral Hopper, 16t Mineral Wagon, Five Plank Mineral Wagon, Six-Wheel Milk Tanker, Presflo Bulk Powders Wagon, 20t Bitumen Tank Wagon, 20t Toad E Brake Van and 10t Cattle Van.Train Simulator: Weardale & Teesdale Network Route Add-On As collieries closed and freight traffic reduced, by 1980 there was virtually nothing left of the famous routes as they were once known.