In this, the first of a two-part episode, the Rail and Road Pod hears about how heritage railways are safely returning for passengers and how one particular railway has delivered improvements over the last year.

To discuss, the Pod is joined by Ian Skinner, Office of Rail and Road’s Head of Non-Mainline and lead for Heritage Railway safety; Steve Oates, chief executive of the Heritage Railway Association; and Michael Proctor, chairman of Aln Valley Railway in Northumberland.

Across Britain, there are more than 200 heritage railways. These are 'lines of local interest', museum railways or tourist railways that preserve, recreate or simulate railways of the past; or demonstrate or operate historical or special types of motive power or rolling stock.

For more information on how the Office of Rail and Road regulates the health and safety of heritage railways visit: https://www.orr.gov.uk/about/who-we-work-with/railway-networks/minor-heritage-railways 

To learn more about the Heritage Railway Association visit: https://www.hra.uk.com/ 

To plan a visit to Aln Valley Railway, see: https://www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk/