Claire Gibbons, who joined the railway three years ago as a senior community liaison officer, will now lead the historic line.
The railway, which spans 18 miles from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate, and operates 16 miles between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope, is a heritage line that connects communities while celebrating County Durham’s rich railway history.
Ms Gibbons will oversee the railway’s continued development, focusing on enhancing its heritage tourism offering and working towards the restoration of passenger services to Weardale.
These efforts will ‘create employment and training opportunities while boosting tourism and economic regeneration in the region’.
Ms Gibbons said: “The Weardale Railway is a real hidden gem, and I’m thrilled to be leading it into an exciting future.
“When I first joined three years ago as senior community liaison officer, I knew little about trains, but working closely with them and even a chance to drive one, I was hooked.
“I can’t wait to work with the community continuing to deliver fantastic events and experiences that showcase everything this beautiful railway has to offer.”
Rescued from administration by The Auckland Project in 2020, the railway has since benefitted from more than £3 million in investment, including essential repairs and infrastructure improvements.
Operational heritage services and events on the Weardale Railway have been revived, including afternoon teas, wine and cheese trains, and the popular Santa Express.
With 2025 marking the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR200), Ms Gibbons will lead a series of celebrations, including community clean-ups, the planting of 200 bulbs at each station, and 200 native trees and shrubs along the route.
The Weardale Railway will also welcome rail tours as part of The Railway 200 Special, including journeys from Carnforth and London Kings Cross to Stanhope in autumn 2025.
As part of its growing visitor offering, Weardale Railway also provides hands-on driver experiences, giving rail enthusiasts the chance to take the controls of its Sentinel Locomotive, a 1993 Daw Mill workhorse, boasting 325 brake horsepower, an 8-cylinder Rolls Royce engine, and a 1,500-tonne hauling capacity.
The experience includes expert instruction, a six-mile round trip through stunning Weardale landscapes, and a commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.
The Weardale Railway is part of The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity transforming Bishop Auckland into a leading visitor destination through its unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, and gardens.