n-gage.io, a specialist in creating attractions management software for the visitor attractions and hospitality industries, has announced a new contract with Tanfield Railway, a heritage railway experience celebrating its 300th anniversary in County Durham.
Dating back to 1725, Tanfield Railway holds the title of the world’s oldest railway. It was constructed to transport coal from the mining collieries in the Tanfield area of County Durham to the River Tyne for shipment. Today, guests can take a six-mile round ride on lovingly preserved locomotives and Victorian carriages through County Durham’s sweeping countryside.
The new Tanfield Railway visitor experience smartphone app helps visitors and railway enthusiasts maximise their heritage railway experience.
Given the volunteer team’s reputation and passion for restoration, the heritage railway engaged attraction experience specialist n-gage.io to explore how mobile technology could play a more significant role in its passenger experience strategy and introduce various interactive features in a new mobile app.
Boosting engagement
The SaaS platform’s highly adaptable guest mobile app and sophisticated attraction management software give the local team the tools and data insights they need to improve visitor experience and real-time engagement.
The railway will use the app to educate visitors, passengers, and the community about its history, industrial railway collection, and 300th anniversary. The software’s innovative mobile app trails feature lets passengers enjoy interactive heritage experiences while walking and travelling along the line.
Along with providing information on its most recent campaigns, event programs, and experiences, the railway also intends to use the app to inform its sponsors and supporters about its important restoration and conservation efforts. Through customised and targeted notifications, the team will also leverage important data insights to enhance engagement and optimise campaigns to assist boost funding.
At the Heritage Railway Association Awards 2025, the railway was recently honoured with two awards. The HRA awards honour achievement or innovation in nearly every facet of the operation, maintenance, and restoration of historic railroads and tramways.
An enhanced digital experience
“We’re delighted to launch our new Tanfield Railway App and offer our visitors and passengers an enhanced digital experience,” says David Watchman, general manager at Tanfield Railway.
“n-gage.io has developed a software platform and mobile app that’s helping the attraction industry to transform their approach to visitor engagement, whilst delivering business critical insights to help improve operations and drive revenue growth, something which is so vital to us in the industry.
“The technology will certainly help us to enhance the heritage railway experience and deliver another form of digital media around the restoration and conservation work of the organisation. We believe the software and app to be a game changer for the heritage railway industry when it comes to raising awareness of our work and delivering a more personalised experience.”
“We’re delighted to be supporting the work of the iconic Tanfield Railway,” says Bryan Hoare, CEO of n-gage.io. “The team are renowned for their vital restoration work, and it’s great to know our technology is playing a part in helping to transform the heritage experience of the world’s oldest railway line, whilst giving the Tanfield team the tools they need to help improve operations and drive revenue growth.
“During 2025, Railway 200 celebrates 200 years of the modern railway, so what better time for us to be supporting the industry with our technology.”
Last year, n-gage.io exhibited at both the 2024 EAZA Conference in Leipzig, Germany and the AZA conference in Calgary, Canada.
The post n-gage.io helps Tanfield Railway to transform the heritage railway experience appeared first on Blooloop.