The Museum tells the story of the “Wear Valley Extension Railway” which was constructed between 1893-5 to try to revive the dale’s fortunes after the closure of its lead-mines.

The story is vividly brought to life through the newspaper articles which related the celebrations surrounding the ‘Cutting of the First Sod,’ by Sir Joseph Pease, on October 21st 1893.

There are striking resemblances to the situation today, with the re-opening of the Weardale Railway as a tourist line between Wolsingham and Stanhope, following closure of the Eastgate Cement Works.