The Railway was set up originally as a joint venture between QE2 Country Park Railway Society and Wansbeck District Council in 1993.

The railway then ran under various guises until its eventual closure in 2018

In 2023 a new group formed as a wellbeing group (Man shed). As the group grew in size and due to their extensive knowledge and skills, it became apparent to the volunteers that the revival of the abandoned derelict railway was a viable option given time and substantial funding.

They created a new group “Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway (WNGR)” and have begun this journey. With support, and the drive and determination of the volunteers,” the Phoenix will rise from the ashes!”

As a group, we are a diverse organisation with many skills ranging from administration, mechanical and electrical engineering. we also include welding engineers, carpenters, plumbers, track installation engineers and mental health counsellors, skills gained from experience in HM Forces, local industry, Network Rail, NHS and Nuclear industries.

By far the biggest job we have to do is completely re-lay the track and this is a considerable cost as the whole line from the Museum Halt to the Lakeside Halt needs to be lifted and new sleepers laid then new ballast laid to conform to the current rail safety standards.

The challenge now is to raise the considerable sum of money to allow us to do this essential work before we can run any trains.

Other tasks we are continuing to work on are the upgrading of the electrical installation to the ticket office to ensure safe operation, recommissioning of the 3 available engines and various electrical modifications. Repairs to the passenger carriages including electrical systems and the replacement of various signals and lights which have suffered from vandalism during the railways dormant era.