On 8 October 2026 in North Tyneside, two Tyne and Wear Metro drivers were reported to volunteer as steam locomotive drivers at the Stephenson Steam Railway, part of the Stephenson Museum’s heritage operation at Percy Main. The report by Rail Business Daily identifies the volunteers as Michael Darling, 36, of Monkseaton, and Rob Kitching, 35, of Durham, who operate the museum’s only working steam locomotive, Ashington Number 5, along a two-mile section of disused line. Both men are described as qualified steam train drivers and long‑serving volunteers.
The article states Darling has been a Metro driver for 13 years and a volunteer at the Stephenson Railway since age 17, and that he now serves as an inspector conducting assessments for other volunteers after a seven‑year qualification process. Kitching is reported to have eight years as a Metro driver and ten years volunteering at the Stephenson Railway, with previous experience at Beamish. The museum manager, Geoff Woodward, is reported to have identified volunteers as central to the railway’s operation. The heritage rides operate on a restored two‑mile stretch of the former Blyth and Tyne Line and are presented as an educational, family‑oriented attraction; the report notes a historical link with Metro test track work in the late 1970s that enabled the heritage railway’s creation. Specific commercial terms, project funding, and contractual relationships are not publicly disclosed in the source.
Lead
8 October 2026, North Tyneside, United Kingdom — Rail Business Daily reported that two Tyne and Wear Metro drivers volunteer as steam locomotive drivers at the Stephenson Steam Railway, part of the Stephenson Museum’s heritage operation at Percy Main. The report identifies the volunteers as Michael Darling and Rob Kitching and describes their roles operating the museum’s only working steam locomotive, Ashington Number 5, along a two‑mile section of disused line.
Verified facts
- Source and date: The account is from Rail Business Daily, published 8 October 2026. The information in this brief is drawn from that article.
- Individuals named: Michael Darling (age 36, of Monkseaton) and Rob Kitching (age 35, of Durham).
- Employment background: Darling is reported to have 13 years’ service as a Tyne and Wear Metro driver; Kitching is reported to have eight years as a Metro driver.
- Volunteer service: Darling is reported to have been a volunteer at the Stephenson Railway since age 17; Kitching is reported to have volunteered at the Stephenson Railway for ten years.
- Qualifications and roles: Both individuals are reported as qualified steam train drivers. The report states Darling took seven years to become a qualified steam train driver and is now an inspector who conducts assessments for other volunteers.
- Equipment and operation: The Stephenson Steam Railway’s only working steam locomotive is named Ashington Number 5. The heritage rides run along a two‑mile section of disused line at Percy Main, described as part of the former Blyth and Tyne Line.
- Visitor offering and audience: The report describes the rides as an immersive, educational, family‑oriented attraction that is popular with children and international visitors.
- Historical context: The article reports that steam trains ceased running in the region in the late 1970s and that the Metro test track work in the late 1970s enabled the creation of the Stephenson Railway when that track was vacated.
- Museum management: Geoff Woodward is identified as Museum Manager, Stephenson Steam Railway.
- Additional information: The museum’s information page is given as www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/stephensonsteamrailway.
- Not publicly disclosed: Any funding, commercial terms, ownership of Ashington Number 5, supplier contracts, operational budgets, visitor numbers, ride pricing, and formal agreements between Stephenson Steam Railway and Tyne and Wear Metro or other organisations are not publicly disclosed in the source.
Organizations and responsibilities
- Stephenson Steam Railway / Stephenson Museum: Reported as the operator of the heritage railway at Percy Main and custodian of the working steam locomotive Ashington Number 5. The museum is reported to run heritage railway tours over a two‑mile section of disused line.
- Michael Darling: Reported to be a Tyne and Wear Metro driver with 13 years’ service, a long‑serving volunteer at Stephenson Steam Railway since age 17, a qualified steam train driver, and an inspector responsible for assessments of other volunteers.
- Rob Kitching: Reported to be a Tyne and Wear Metro driver with eight years’ service and a volunteer at Stephenson Steam Railway for ten years; reported to have prior experience driving trains at Beamish.
- Geoff Woodward: Reported as Museum Manager, Stephenson Steam Railway, who is reported to have emphasised volunteers’ role in delivering the visitor experience.
- Tyne and Wear Metro: Identified indirectly as the employer of Darling and Kitching; no contractual or operational responsibilities between Metro and the Stephenson Steam Railway are disclosed in the source.
Operational and commercial context
- Reported operational linkage: The article reports a historical link between Metro test track activity in the late 1970s and the subsequent establishment of the Stephenson Railway on vacated track alignment, specifically a two‑mile stretch of what was the Blyth and Tyne Line. This is presented as the circumstance that enabled the heritage railway’s route; the statement is reported information from the article.
- Volunteer contributions: The museum manager is reported to have stated that volunteers’ passion, knowledge and enthusiasm are central to delivering the heritage railway experience. The article reports volunteers undertake roles including driving the Ashington Number 5 and conducting assessments for other volunteers.
- Visitor experience and positioning: The article reports the heritage rides are positioned as educational and family‑oriented, with the claim that visitors from a broad demographic attend; specific attendance figures, revenue, ticket pricing and commercial partnerships are not disclosed.
- Unreported commercial details: The source contains no first‑party disclosure of funding sources, contractual arrangements, operating budgets, or formal relationships between Stephenson Steam Railway and Tyne and Wear Metro or other organisations.
Sources
- https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/metro-drivers-voluntary-work-celebrates-the-age-steam/ — Rail Business Daily
Disclosure
This RailZoom Intelligence Brief is an original synthesis based on the cited public source. Details not confirmed by a first-party announcement are identified as reported information. For overseas project development or industry intelligence cooperation, contact RailZoom.
