A historic monument, owned by Northumbrian Water, is expecting to welcome thousands of people through its doors this weekend for its first ever miniature road, rail and model engineer event.
Tees Cottage Pumping Station in Darlington is offering visitors everything this Victorian water works has to offer and the rare chance to see it in full operation.
Built in 1849, the volunteer-run museum which is full of engineering history, once supplied drinking water to Darlington and the surrounding areas.
Louise Hunter, Corporate Communications Director at Northumbrian Water, said: "Tees Cottage Pumping Station is a great place to visit and is full of fascinating heritage right here on our doorstep.
"We′re immensely proud of this historic landmark and of the partnership we have with the volunteers, who work hard helping us to preserve this special place for generations to come."
This opening of the site will offer visitors the rare chance to see behind the scenes, from watching the giant water pumps in action, seeing the miniature railway, admiring the iron work in the smithy, to relaxing in the tea room, seeing the various miniature traction engines, railway engines and model engineering displays.
Lee Bailey, Club Secretary of the Cleveland Association of Model Engineers, said: "We′re a proud partner of Tees Cottage Pumping Station, where we operate the miniature railway during public opening weekends and it′s a privilege to continue to support this wonderful historic site.
"We are really excited about our first joint event this weekend, which will see some fantastic examples of superb miniature traction and railway engines, along with various model engineering displays."
Tees Cottage Pumping Station still has two original pumping engines with one being the largest preserved example in Europe and are superb examples of Victorian architecture.
Chairman David Smart, who has being volunteering at Tees Cottage Pumping Station for the last six years, said: "Our volunteers are working hard to get everything ready for this opening weekend and are looking forward to welcoming visitors through our doors.
"It′s a great opportunity for people to see behind the scenes of this wonderful Scheduled Ancient Monument, as there is so much to see and do!"
Tees Cottage Pumping Station is open to the public from Saturday, 14 to Sunday, 15 September 2019 between 11am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm. The site is located next to the River Tees on Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 8FT.
There is a small entrance charge of £5.00 for adults, £4.00 for concessions and children under 16s go free when accompanied by an adult. All money raised during opening days is invested into the continued improvements to this ancient monument.
For more information about Tees Cottage Pumping Station please visit, www.teescottage.co.uk or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.