Feature, Freight News, Sea

Two centuries of travel

[ September 29, 2017   //   Chris ]

Railway enthusiasts will argue into the small hours of the morning about the world’s oldest railway station, but one with a good claim is Heighington – on what used to the Stockton and Darlington railway, which opened in 1825.

K Line has just made a donation for its restoration.

And the connection between a Japanese shipping line and pioneering railways? K Line is bringing in the body shells for the latest generation of inter city passenger trains via north-east ports to the Newton Aycliff plant of Hitachi Rail Europe, just up the line.

To raise funds, K Line arranged a guided tour of one of its largest ro ro ships, Global Highway at Tokuyama/Kudamatsu Port in Japan on 20 March. Donations collected from participants were supplemented by donations from K Line and other private companies.

The station is reported to be in need of a little TLC – violunteers from the Newton Aycliff plant are among those helping with its refurbishment -, but it did at least escape the Beeching ‘axe’ and is still open after 192 years.

Tags: K Line