A NEW steam engine will roll into Weardale this weekend.

Weardale Railway Locomotive Preservation Group will take delivery of its first steam engine, called Norwood, on Saturday afternoon.

The group's members and volunteers have been restoring the line between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope for years.

Their work is part of a plan by Weardale Railway Company to reopen the line, last used by a passenger train in 1953, and run a daily service by the end of 2004.

Behind the scenes, preservation group chairman Dave Foxton and a team of volunteers meet most weekends to breathe new life into redundant vehicles.

Many will be on hand this Sunday, when the group holds an open day, to talk about the project or tell people how they can help.

Anyone interested is invited to the Wolsingham depot behind Weardale Steelworks, from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

The Norwood engine will be on display along with the Company's 141 Units, vehicles undergoing restoration and photo displays.

A similar open day was held by Weardale Railway Trust last year where Hilary Armstrong, MP for North-West Durham, was able to find out how the project was progressing.

At that events crowds gathered to enjoy attractions such as a steam wagon, traction engines, model railway, sales stands, photo displays and a pit memorabilia display.