Bowes Railway

A colliery railway at Springwell in Gateshead, described as the world's only standard gauge cable railway. The earliest section was designed by George Stephenson and opened on 17 January 1826; the line ran 15 miles when completed in 1855, with a six-mile middle section of rope-worked inclines. Renamed in 1932 after the Bowes-Lyon family, then major shareholders, it was granted museum status in 1976. Guided tours Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and 1pm, £5 adults, £3 children, booked by text. Bicentennial programme in 2026.