There is probably quite a difference between driving one of the state-of-the-art new Tyne and Wear Metro and a steam locomotive but two staff members from the Metro do that as they volunteer at the Stephenson Steam Railway.
The Stephenson Steam Railway is located in North Tyneside and the original Metro test track was to be found here. It is also home to one of two original Metrocars which are now in preservation (4001 with 4019 at the North East Land Sea and Air Museum).
But for Michael Darling and Rob Kitching it is the historic steam locos at the railway that sees them spend countless hours helping to keep alive the railway heritage in the region.
Michael, aged 36 from Monkseaton, has been a Metro driver for 13 years and has volunteered at the Stephenson Steam Railway since he was 17. He said: “I’ve always had an interest in trains ever since I was a child. It’s a niche hobby that not many people get to do. I get a lot of pleasure from it. It’s both exciting and interesting.
“It’s such a pleasure to be a steam train driver. There is always so much going on when you’re on the footplate. You have to use your brain constantly because they are sensitive pieces of machinery.
“The heritage tours we run are educational. Steam trains stopped running in our region in the late 1970s. It’s important that people still get to see them, experience travelling on them, and learn about our region’s railway heritage. After all, we gave railways to the world thanks to George Stephenson.
“I think it’s important we are doing what we are doing at the museum, which is entirely voluntary, as it keeps the heritage alive, celebrating steam trains in their heyday. We get visitors from all walks of life and from all over the world.
“It took me seven years to become a qualified steam train driver. I’m now an inspector and do all the assessments for our other volunteers. It’s incomparable to driving the new Metro trains. I love doing both.
“Our steam train rides take in a two-mile stretch of what was the Blyth and Tyne Line. It’s a steep section of line. It was rebuilt for the Metro test track in the late 1970s. When that was vacated it allowed the Stephenson Railway to be created.
“There is a nice link with the Metro, because without the Metro test track the museum may not be there today. We offer an affordable heritage railway experience which families can come and enjoy. They never leave disappointed. It’s a great day out.”
Rob, aged 35 from Durham, had been a Metro driver for eight years and has been a volunteer at the Stephenson Railway Museum for ten years. He commented: “There’s always been a family interest in trains and that has passed down to me. I worked at Beamish, driving trains there. That opened the door to my role at Stephenson and helped to pave the way for me to become a Metro driver.
“Steam trains are just amazing. I like the engineering of them, and being able to appreciate something that was been hand built so many years ago and is still working today.
“They are part of the heritage of the North East, and are testament to how our region led the way with this technology.
“I love driving the steam loco. It’s great to see visitors come and enjoy it too. Railways are in the blood of our region. It’s nice to be part of something that celebrates it for future generations.”
- Find out more about the Stephenson Steam Railway at https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/stephensonsteamrailway