TRAIN enthusiasts may have plenty of web space devoted to their needs but the North-East's own achievements in rail history have been somewhat neglected - until now.

In an attempt to put the Stockton & Darlington Railway back on the world stage where it belongs, The Northern Echo has this week launched a special website as part of the campaign Treasuring Our Railway Heritage. At www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/railway, readers can find out the latest news on the campaign, enjoy in-depth articles on the region's rail history, take part in the heritage debate by e-mailing letters and find out about the events being organised to celebrate the railway's 175th anniversary.

From our website readers can also visit the other specialist rail websites.

Those include www.railcentre.co.uk, where there is plenty of information about the Age of Steam, including photographs of steam locos and another chance to take part in an online debate about The Northern Echo's campaign.

And the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum also boasts an online presence at www.drcm.org.uk where the attractions at the centre in North Road, Darlington, can be seen. The site also includes online exhibitions such as the current selection from photographer Andy Elliott.

Another North-East visitor attraction, The Timothy Hackworth Victorian & Railway Museum in Shildon, Co.Durham, can also be found online at www.hackworthmuseum.co.uk.

There are also plenty of exhibitions detailed at the website for the National Railway Museum in York (www.nmsi.ac.uk/nrm) which claims among its exhibits a lock of Robert Stephenson's hair.

l If you have a subject you would like investigating on the web, please e-mail your suggestion to Sarah Andrews.

Previous columns from The Cyber Space can be found at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/leisure/cyber.html