Tanfield Railway, the world’s oldest railway, is proud to announce the visit of a truly unique locomotive from overseas as part of its major May event, the Great North Festival of Railways. The eye-catching vertical boilered steam tram Lucie, built in 1890 by the John Cockerill Company of Seraing, Belgium, will be in operation across two special weekends: 10–11 May and 17–18 May 2025.
Lucie will join Tanfield’s home fleet and fellow visiting engine Furness Railway No. 20, offering visitors the rare opportunity to ride behind a historic lineup of Victorian and early industrial locomotives during the railway’s Tanfield 300 anniversary programme.
Originally built to operate on the East Brussels Tramway, Lucie went on to work at a Belgian coal mine, where she likely earned her name from one of her drivers. The locomotive is now part of the Middleton family’s collection, based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is well known to viewers of the popular television series The Yorkshire Steam Railway, which follows the work of Paul “Piglet” Middleton and the NYMR team.
Lucie’s visit also highlights an important international connection in railway history. The John Cockerill Company, her builder, produced the pioneering Le Belge in 1835—the first locomotive constructed in Belgium, built under licence from the British firm Robert Stephenson & Co on Tyneside. Le Belge was one of the earliest locomotives to run in continental Europe, and remained in service until 1869. Lucie’s presence alongside Twizell, Tanfield’s 1891-built Robert Stephenson locomotive, powerfully commemorates the spread of North East railway innovation across the globe.
Tanfield Railway General Manager, David Watchman, said:
“Lucie’s story, and her link to the pioneering work of Tyneside engineers like Robert Stephenson and how North East railway engineering and technology spread across the globe, perfectly captures the spirit of our Tanfield 300 celebrations. We’re thrilled to welcome her to Tanfield for two weekends.”
Alongside steam-hauled services, Tanfield will host heritage display stands, model railways, traditional music and guided tours.
Tanfield Railway, located in Gateshead and County Durham, operates a three-mile heritage railway running steam and diesel trains throughout the year. Dating back to 1725, the railway was originally built to transport coal from North East England’s rich coalfields to the River Tyne. Today, it is a heritage attraction, preserving and showcasing North East industrial railway history.
Tanfield Railway’s Tanfield300 celebrations will continue throughout 2025, with events including the Legends of Industry Gala in June, showcasing the best of Britain’s industrial railway heritage.
Tickets and timetables for the Great North Festival of Railways are available now at: tanfield-railway.co.uk/train-rides/great-north-festival-of-railways