A MAN who has helped pioneer the return of rail travel to a Northern dale after an absence of more than 50 years has died only weeks before the first train is due to run again.

Gil (Gilbert) Chatfield had suffered from cancer for some time. He was 70.

The former travel agent, along with milkman John Woods and shopkeeper Steve Richmond were among a group of people who had the vision in 1989 of re-opening the Weardale railway, in County Durham, to passenger services.

Tragically, all three of them have not lived to see their dream become a reality.

But, by attracting the likes of construction company chief Sir William McAlpine and pop music boss Pete Waterman to join the Weardale Railway Trust, they helped raise the funding needed to re-open the rail line.

Brian Morris, managing director of the Weardale Railway Company, which will operate the heritage line, said: "Gil was the pillar of the trust, giving his time and effort freely and without complaint.

"His enthusiasm for the project was inexhaustible. It is so sad that he was not able to survive for just a few more weeks to see his dream realised."

Mr Chatfield, a bachelor, who liked to be known as The Fat Controller from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, was born in Dartford, Kent. Throughout his life he had a passion for railways and the travel industry.

He started work with Thomas Cook in London, then moved North to work for the former Hunting Lambert travel agency, in Newcastle. He also worked in the British Rail ticket office at Newcastle's Central Station.

His brother, John, recalls how he was so keen to please customers that he was ticked off by his bosses for "being too helpful".

When he retired to live in a cottage next to the former post office in Frosterley, in Weardale, Mr Chatfield became deeply involved in the Weardale railway project.

It had been planned that Mr Chatfield would flag off the the first passenger train to run on the Weardale line for 51 years. This will travel between Stanhope and Wolsingham on Saturday, July 17. It is planned to eventually extend the service to Bishop Auckland and Eastgate.

John Asquith, archivist for the Weardale Heritage Line, said: "The re-opening of the line was Gil's ultimate goal - a dream he had for so many years. It's so sad he hasn't been able to realise that dream."

Mr Chatfield's funeral takes place at Durham crematorium tomorrow, at 2pm.