Guiding Principles

The guiding principles of the Tanfield Railway are crystallised around 3 initial points linked to what the railway aims for, and agreed by the Company and the Trust in 2010.

These principles are:

1. Show what would have been seen in the period 1920-1950 (this would be predominantly steam).

2. Focus on industrial and minor railways.

3. A North East of England focus with items used or built in NE.

Decision Making

No decisions shall be made until after having ensured the decision’s compliance with the three Guiding Principles.

Supporting Information

Style:

Precedents : The styles adopted must follow verified examples from the past that comply with our Guiding Principles.

Brand: The World’s Oldest Railway.

Genre: Railway and/or industrial.

Colours: Green and Cream except as dictated by the need to comply with the actual colours previously used on restored items.

Signage: Green and Cream with lettering of a type compliant with the Guiding Principles.

Form:

Precedents: The forms adopted must follow verified examples from the past that comply with Guiding Principles. 

Spatial Issues: There shall be clear demarcation between areas occupied by incompatible groups, such as Historical areas versus interpretive areas versus commercial/amenity/utility areas. Non-Historic areas must not impose on Historic areas, including in visual respects.

Structures: The locations of structures shall be by agreement between the governing parties.

“Shapes”: Scale, proportions, profiles etc. shall reflect the Guiding Principles.

Materials: Materials shall reflect the Guiding Principles.

Detail: The details of all items are no less important than the generality.

Practice:

Precedents: Practices must follow verified examples that comply with Guiding Principles.

Nothing shall be done that will undermine the presentation of the historic items at the railway or compromise the railway’s reputation for gravitas in regard to preservation.

Running of services: To be reflective of the Guiding Principles in respect of locomotives, carriages and waggons used.

Terminology: The titles, names, language, jargon, colloquialisms and other terminology used in written materials and speech shall reflect the Guiding Principles.

Events: Those events held for commercial reasons shall not impose any decoration or other compromising material on historic items including locomotives, carriages and waggons and the Marley Hill Engine Shed.

Dress Code: Staff and other persons working shall be dressed in a fashion reflective of the Guiding Principles.

Regulatory compliance: Compliance will be adopted but, where conflict with any other provision of this document exists, the regulations shall be challenged to ensure that the “compliance” is actually strictly required by legislation, i.e. “compliance” will not be automatic.

The Guiding Principles shall be relaxed where necessary for the 1725 waggonway.

Message:

Philosophy: Recreating the past to the extent of an immersive experience – the good and the bad. Not just the material of the past but the character, behaviour and feel of it.

Interpretation: Discrete – not impacting on the sights, sounds and feel of the historic elements. Physical interpretation facilities shall be installed in distinct (likely adjacent) locations.

Education: Focused on the Guiding Principles.

Inspiration: Our regional railway, industrial and technical heritage as well as the associated lifestyle of people who created it and lived through it.

Amended 12/10/20