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The oldest railway line in the world celebrates the success of the double prize.

Tanfield Railway, which dates back to 1725, has been recognized at the Heritage Association (HRA) awards 2025.

Volunteer Elis Campbell, 23, was awarded the Lord Folkner Award Young Volunteer of the Year.

The volunteer of Danfield Eliza Campbell gathers the “Young Volunteer of the Year” award by Lord Folkner (Image: Panfield Railway)

The diesel locomotive, Ribblesdale Cement No 6, was also highly praised for restoring back to the work order in the Diesel & Electric category.

The awards ceremony took place in Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on Saturday, February 8th.

More than 200 employees and volunteers from different railway lines, tram roads and mobile actions groups attended the event.

Ribblesdale Cement No (Image: Panfield Railway)

HRA awards celebrate high achievements or innovation in almost every aspect of the recovery, conservation and operation of Heritage Railway and Tramway.

D -Ja Campbell, a longtime volunteer at Tanfield Railway, was recognized as her “exceptional contribution” for both the commercial and engineering side of the railway line.

It began voluntarily in 2017 and has gained experience in numerous roles, from working in retail and catering to constant maintenance and restoration of locomotives.

Ribblesdale Cement No (Image: Panfield Railway)

MS Campbell now works as a Network Rail signal, but continues to take time to Tanfield Railway.

G -Ja Campbell said: “I am very grateful that I was examined and presented for Lord Folkner Young Volunteer of the Year, and to accept the award means a lot to me.

“I have received incredible support from friends and colleagues of Tanfield Railway volunteers all the time and I hope this affects the incredible roles that women play in keeping the railway railway and inspiring the younger volunteers include. ”

The volunteer of Danfield Ellis Campbell while training to become a firefighter at one of the Park Locomotives on Railway Transport (Image: Panfield Railway)

Tanfield Railway’s Ribblesdale Cement No 6, John Fowler’s Diesel Mechanical Locomotive 0-6-0, built in 1960, is also recognized at the awards.

He was given highly commendable in the category of diesel and electricity.

Originally used to transfer cement wagons to Ribblesdale Cement Works to Clitheroe, it was transferred to Tanfield Railway in the early 1990s and recovered by volunteers after spending 25 years out of use.

Steam Locomotive NCB No.49 with a passenger train of Colliery, which is passing on the Panfield railway line, the most old railway line in the world of the northeast (Image: Panfield Railway)

The restoration began in 2018, with volunteers undertaking a full mechanical repair, including the Leyland Albion engine, the gearbox and the vacuum braking system.

The entire electrical system was replaced and the authentic cabin controls were provided and installed.

David Wachman, General Manager of Tanfield Railway, said: “We are incredibly proud of Eliza for winning the Lord Folkner Award Young Volunteer of the Year and volunteers who played such a vital role in the restoration of Ribblesdale Cement No. 6.

(Image: Panfield Railway)

“Getting these confessions in such a competitive year is a real testimony to the dedication, passion and skills of our volunteers.

“The work they invest in preserving the Panfield railway line and its history is remarkable.

“When we enter our 300th anniversary, these awards serve as a fantastic reminder of what we can achieve together and the importance of maintaining the heritage of our industrial railway for future generations.”

The Executive Director of Heritage Association Seve Oates said: “The Lord Folkner Award for Young Volunteers is always one of the most contested honors we give at the HRA Annual Awards.

“But the Judicial Committee for this year’s HRA awards thought that Eliza was clearly highlighted in a very strong area.

“They were impressed with her dedication, flexibility, and thought that her career progression as a network rail signal would be the inspiration for many other young volunteers in the whole United Kingdom.”

The Panfield Railway, operating between Sunizide in Gateshead and Eastern Durhade, is three miles of volunteer inheritance, which operates trains with steam and diesel, offering visitors a journey through the centuries of railway history.