A RURAL heritage line is sending out the message that it is back on track by encouraging dales residents to get on board.

The Weardale Railway, in County Durham, marked the end of troubled times with a low-key relaunch yesterday.

Patience is the key virtue for all rail enthusiasts and the volunteers, who are the lifeblood of the line, have it in spades.

The 100 or so active volunteers in the Weardale Railway Trust waited for two-and-a-half years for creditors to be paid after the company running the service went into administration.

After all that time, and with new operators ECT apparently running the railway like clockwork, long-suffering trust members hardly noticed when their celebration ride pulled into Stanhope Station an hour late.

The railway's managing director Steve Raine is relieved that, for the first time since trains started running again a year ago, he can safely look to the future.

To thank the people of Weardale, the railway is offering free ticket coupons at its stations and in the Stanhope and Durham Tourist Information centres.

It also hopes to get more young volunteers involved to join its youngest helper, 12-year-old Jordan Parker, who lives near Stanhope Statio, in Bondisle.

Mr Raine said: "We want to welcome old friends and new alike on board and send out a clear message that Weardale Railway is here to stay.

"We see Weardale Railway as having a great part to play in helping with regeneration plans for the area. It is a great relief to be able to move forward and make new plans."

The railway now owns the whole length of track from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate and will eventually link up with the main rail network.

The rail link is also crucial to the success of a proposed eco-village on an old cement works site at Eastgate.

Initial plans include improvements to Wolsingham Station, a visitor ticket promotion with the Weardale Museum and Killhope Lead Mining Centre, in Upper Weardale, and an enlarged special events programme.

ECT's Chief Executive Stephen Sears said: "We are a successful social enterprise company and we have a lot to offer the railway in terms of management skills, financial stability and expertise.

"We have kept thing ticking over, and it will be next year before we can really put some of our plans into action.

"There is nothing technically difficult about getting to Bishop Auckland but it will take time."

A community barbecue and volunteer open day will be held at Stanhope Station on Saturday, September 15 from 2pm to 5.30pm. A service taking prospective volunteers to Wolsingham leaves Stanhope at 2.15pm. Call 01388-526203 or go to www.weardale-railway.org.uk