Police investigate theft from the world's oldest railway

More than £20,000 of restoration fittings to the world's oldest railway have been stolen in Gateshead.

Northumbria Police has launched an investigation after copper pipework and brass fittings were stolen from the Tanfield Railway’s Sunniside base on Tuesday 28th April 28.

It's now thought the restoration of a 116-year old steam locomotive at risk. Officers say it was a targeted attack during lockdown and the parts were of great importance to the railway museum, for the restoration of the “Horden” locomotive salvaged from Horden Colliery.

Tanfield Railway Trust chairman, Derek Smith, said: