Suez donates disused Teesside EfW railway for reuse

The disused railway track will be used to repair parts of the Wensleydale line that have worn way. The line is one of the oldest heritage lines in the UK and is 22 miles long.  

It goes from Scruton in the Vale of Mowbray to the village Redmire and is a popular tourist attraction, carrying around 50,000 passengers every year. Suez said the disused track “will go a long way in keeping the railway maintained for future use and prevents the dis-used track from becoming scrap”. The track is redundant and does not form part of the active line near the site. 

Neil Guest, a volunteer on the Wensleydale Railway said: “We’re very grateful to Suez for donating the rail sidings. The donation is a significant contribution to the maintenance of the Wensleydale Railway and will assist in safeguarding the railway for future generations to enjoy.”

Replacing worn sections of the line will help keep trains running for years to come

• Steve Patterson, Suez

Installation

To facilitate the transport and installation of the donated railway track, Wensleydale Railway has partnered with construction company A Cowley & Sons. Their collaboration ensures that the disused track is “carefully removed from Teesside and relocated to its new home on the Wensleydale Railway”. Work on the track removal began in early May 2023 and is scheduled to be completed this month. 

Steve Patterson, regional director north for Suez recycling and recovery UK said: “We’re pleased to give the disused rails from our Tees Valley facility a second life on the Wensleydale Railway.  Replacing worn sections of the line will help keep trains running for years to come, giving people access to the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, as well as providing a great opportunity for volunteers to support the maintenance of the railway whilst learning new skills.” 

The donation of 2.5 miles of disused railway track from Suez to the historic Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire marks a “significant step in preserving and maintaining this beloved heritage line,” Suez said.