RAIL enthusiast have organised a touring exhibition which opened in County Durham yesterday.

Maps, model trains, photographs and old British Rail uniforms all feature in the display, for which railway heritage organisations throughout the county pooled their resources.

Libraries and environmental group Groundwork West Durham have also helped with the collection, which can be viewed at Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre, County Durham, until Saturday, August 31.

It will then travel to North Road Museum, Darlington, Timothy Hackworth Museum, Shildon, Wolsingham depot, and then Spennymoor Library.

The event is based on the branch line between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, which crosses parts of the historic Stockton and Darlington Railway, and the line which runs through Weardale.

Organisers hope the event will promote attractions along the line and increase support for plans to revive a section of disused railway.

Weardale Railway Trust is trying to reopen the Weardale railway, between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and members of the Weardale Loco Preservation group have been restoring old rolling stock.

They hope to operate a daily service by 2004, which it is hoped will attract new business to the area and boost tourism.

On Thursday, August 29 there is a slide show and talk on the Weardale and Heritage Line.

Tickets cost £1 and must be booked. Telephone James or Claire on (01388) 662666 or call at the centre, in the Market Place, which is open from Thursday to Saturday, between 11am and 4pm