In addition, a number of heritage lines now see regular freight operations.
The Weardale Railway is a similar attempt to provide a commercial heritage line, so far with mixed success.
It reopened as a heritage line in 1985.
However, the planned tramway will be operating with a different track gauge to the original, and so cannot be seen as a "heritage" line.
Passenger services on the heritage line were operated throughout 2006 and 2007 by a Class 117 diesel multiple unit.
As of 2010, car 21 is still the only streetcar that has been restored to serve the heritage line.
Three others (59098, 59099 & 79441) went to heritage lines but have now been cut up for spares.
It closed on 2 March 1968, and the heritage line utilises 2.5 km of track along the branch's old route.
This is also an advantage when working out the cost of transportation to the heritage line, many of which are isolated from the national rail network.
A heritage line operates in Charlotte, North Carolina and will become a part of the city's new transit system.