Thieves steal more than £20,000 of metal fittings putting restoration of 'world's oldest railway' at risk

Northumbria Police has launched an investigation after copper pipework and brass fittings were stolen from Tanfield Railway’s Sunniside base.

Thieves hit at the Gateshead site on Tuesday, April 28 and made off with metal worth more than £20,000, police say.

The incident means that the restoration of the steam locomotive, salvaged from Horden Colliery and aged around 116-years-old, is now at risk due to the cost.

Detective Constable Shaun Atherton, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a targeted theft where thieves preyed on a charitable organisation during lockdown.

“The copper piping and brass fittings taken are antique and the parts are of great importance to the railway museum for restoration of the “Horden” locomotive salvaged from Horden Colliery.

“This theft has not only put back this historic restoration but left the Trust, who manage the railway, feeling dispirited and devastated during an already difficult situation fraught with financial losses from visitor income.

Tanfield Railway Trust chairman, Derek Smith added: “Our volunteers have put thousands of hours into the restoration of Horden.

“Before the lockdown, it was only weeks away from hauling trains for the first time since 1972.

“The theft will put that back months and cost more than £20,000; money that we can ill afford at a time when we have no income.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force via the “report an incident” page and quote log 300 280420.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.