STR totem logo Northern England’s Highest
Narrow Gauge Railway
at Alston, Cumbria.
The Internet Guide to
the South Tynedale Railway.
25 years of passenger trains from Alston -
30th July 1983 to 30th July 2008.
Trains operating between Alston and Kirkhaugh.
Thomas Edmondson with train at Alston on Saturday 30th September 2006

The photograph above, shows the recently overhauled German built, Henschel 0-4-0 tank steam locomotive “Thomas Edmondson” at Alston Station with a passenger train for Kirkhaugh, on Saturday 30th September 2006, during the Gala Weekend event. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre. This steam locomotive has been repainted in a new olive green livery with red buffer beams. It has been fully overhauled and restored to working order with grant money from The National Lottery, Heritage Lottery Fund.

STR Timetable leaflet 2008

A brief introduction to this internet site.

You are reading the official internet pages of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, which maintains and operates the South Tynedale Railway at Alston, in Cumbria. Alston Station is 875 feet or 267 metres above sea level, therefore this railway line is marketed as “Northern England’s Highest Narrow Gauge Railway”.

All readers of these internet pages are reminded that all of the links to either other pages of this internet site, or to other external internet sites are shown in blue text, which are not underlined. Therefore please click on the blue text to access these.

Different parts and pages of this internet site can be accessed from the links window, which should be shown at the left hand side of each page. If the links window to the left hand side does not appear, for example, if you have used a search engine (such as Google, Yahoo, etc) to access this page, please click on this link - www.strps.org.uk (or by clicking on the South Tynedale Railway logo which is shown at the top of this page,) to reload this internet page.

Some information about the railway.

The South Tynedale Railway operates narrow gauge passenger trains along a 2¼ mile line along the scenic South Tyne valley between Alston, in Cumbria and Kirkhaugh, in Northumberland.

During 2008, train services operate on certain dates between 21st March and 30th October, also “Santa Special” trains will be operating on the three weekends and on the Friday before Christmas in December. See the timetable page for more details. Copies of the 2008 timetable and information leaflet are now available from Alston Railway Station, see photograph of front cover of the timetable leaflet opposite. (You can also click on the timetable leaflet photograph to access the railway timetable page of this internet site.)

The track of the railway is built to the British two foot gauge or the metric equivalent of 610 mm. The narrow gauge line is built along part of the railway trackbed of the former 13 mile long standard gauge Haltwhistle to Alston branch, which was closed by British Rail on 1st May 1976.

2008 will be the 25th year of narrow gauge passenger train services from Alston. Passenger trains have been operating from Alston Station since 30th July 1983. From that date until December 1986, train services operated along a mile long length of line between Alston and a temporary terminus, named Gilderdale Halt. The line has been extended since by a further half mile to another terminus at Gilderdale, and was later extended again by a further three quarters of a mile to the present station at Kirkhaugh which was opened to passengers on 4th September 1999. The previous station at Gilderdale is currently closed.

Future extension of the line from Kirkhaugh to Slaggyford.

It is hoped to extend the line by another 2¼ miles from Kirkhaugh to Slaggyford, an appeal for funds has been launched to raise £400,000, to cover the costs of track materials, viaduct work and the renovation of Slaggyford Station building and platform, where there is road access for the future potential passengers from Slaggyford village. Please contact the railway for a Slaggyford Appeal brochure, all donations are welcome and will be gratefully received.

Latest News on the Kirkhaugh to Slaggyford extension.

Since May 2007, a working party consisting of several of the railway’s volunteers, have started the groundwork to level part of the old railway trackbed, north of Kirkhaugh station and to lay several lengths of track. It is the intention to continue the track laying up to the Lintley Viaduct, about a mile north of Kirkhaugh, which will form phase one of the extension. The Lintley Viaduct will have to be surveyed and any necessary work to the structure carried out, before track can be laid over it, to continue with phase two of the extension of the line towards Slaggyford.

At present, working parties are planned to continue work on the extension of the line on the second weekend of each month. Using totally volunteer labour to carry out the work required, means that no time limit can been set for the completion of the line to either Lintley Viaduct, or to Slaggyford.

Timetable leaflets and membership applications.

The 2008 timetable and information leaflet for the railway is now available. Copies can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope measuring at least 8½ inches by 4 inches or 210 mm by 105 mm to the South Tynedale Railway, The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB or by telephoning the railway on 01434 381696 and the timetable leaflets will be despatched as soon as possible.

The South Tynedale Railway is managed, maintained and operated by volunteers of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society. New members and volunteers are always welcome, either to assist with the operation and maintenance of the railway, or with the organisation of special events, or to help with publicity and fundraising for the South Tynedale Railway at Alston. Full training can be given where necessary.

An application form for membership of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society is included on all South Tynedale Railway timetable and information leaflets.

If you wish to join the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, you may alternatively, print out a copy of the membership form, complete it and send it to the Membership Secretary with your subscription payment.

New members and active volunteers are always welcome.
Come and join us as a volunteer.

The number of members of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society varies but is usually between 250 and 300 each year. Out of the total membership, the railway only has about 50 working members, those who volunteer to operate the trains - either as guards, signalpersons, steam locomotive crew and diesel drivers, or to assist with locomotive and rolling stock maintenance and restoration, or to assist with the organisation of the special events which take place each year, or to carry out any other necessary tasks either on or on behalf of the railway.

More members are always needed as active volunteers, during each year, to assist with either the operation of trains, or with the organisation of special events, or with catering, fundraising, publicity, or giving assistance in Alston Station shop. More help is also needed with other work on the railway, such as trackwork, building maintenance, locomotive and rolling stock maintenance and renovation, painting (of anything from carriages to signal posts) and gardening along the line. There is always something that you could do to help the railway and new members, especially as active volunteers are always welcome. Training can be given where necessary. You can spend as much time or as little time volunteering as you wish.

If you wish to assist with any of the above tasks on the railway, please telephone 01434 381696, or e-mail strps@hotmail.com

Visit the historic town of Alston, only 5 minutes walk from the railway.

Tourist Information in the surrounding areas:-

All tourist information enquiries about places to visit in the Alston area and bookings for local accommodation should now be addressed to the Alston Information Centre, The Town Hall, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3RF. Telephone (01434) 382244, Fax (01434) 382255. E-mail address: alston.tic@eden.gov.uk - Further information about Eden District Council who currently operate the information centre can be found on the Internet at the following address: www.eden.gov.uk

For tourist information covering Northumberland County which starts approximately 2 miles north of Alston and includes the Tynedale Area around Slaggyford, Lambley, Haltwhistle and Hexham areas - please see the Visit Northumberland County website at www.visitnorthumberland.com

For tourist information within the county of Cumbria and the Lake District - please see the Cumbria Tourist Board website at www.golakes.co.uk

Other places to visit in the Alston area:-

For details about other places to visit in the Alston area, please contact the Alston Information Centre or alternatively visit the following websites:-

South Tynedale Railway Announcements

2008 Train Services

In 2008, passenger train services will recommence between Alston and Kirkhaugh from Good Friday 21st March 2008.

See the timetable page for details of the operating dates, fares and special events for 2008.

2008 Timetable leaflets are now available from Alston Station.

The next special event will be the ...

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July 2008

Bring the children along with their teddy bears for a Railway Picnic.
A snack bag will be provided for every child.
With a train ride between Alston and Kirkhaugh.

Further details, including train fares and times will be announced nearer to the date of this special event.

Items for sale - available from Alston Station shop:-

  • Please note:- “South Tynedale Railway - Visitors Guide” book now sold out. A new edition is being prepared and is now expected to be available by Easter 2008, to commemorate 25 years of narrow gauge trains at Alston (30th July 1983 to 30th July 2008).

  • The book - “Tickets Not Transferable - The Photo Album of a Tyneside Train Spotter” by Les Turnbull - Now available whilst stocks last. Includes black and white photographs of steam trains in the North East of England during 1956 to 1960 and some of further afield. Printed and published earlier this year, locally in Hexham, Northumberland! 186 pages for £9.99, postage extra.

  • The second edition of “The Alston Branch” book, written by Stanley C. Jenkins, published by The Oakwood Press is still available, covering the history of the Haltwhistle to Alston branch line. Copies can be obtained from Alston Station shop, the cover price is £8.95.

  • Other published books about the Newcastle to Carlisle line. Part 1 - From Newcastle to Hexham and Part 2 - From Hexham to Carlisle. Both published by Middleton Press. Both parts includes photos of lines past and present and part 2 includes the Haltwhistle to Alston and the Lambley to Brampton Junction branch lines. Telephone for availability and price.

  • Any of the above items can be ordered by post, for payment of an additional postage charge. Please enquire for details.

Railway Webrings and Other Sites:-

In order to speed up the loading of this page, these are now shown
on a separate Webrings and links page.

Visitor Numbers and E-mail address:-

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The South Tynedale Railway can be contacted by E-mail at strps@hotmail.com

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For more information about the South Tynedale Railway,
please contact:-

THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,
Registered Office Address:-
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone 01434 381696.
Talking timetable - Telephone 01434 382828.
Registered Charity No. 514939.
Limited by Guarantee: Company Registration No. 1850832 (England).

E-mail enquiries - please click on links below:
South Tynedale Railway information - Send e-mail to South Tynedale Railway
STRPS membership information only - Send e-mail to Kathy Aveyard
Tynedalesman information only - Send e-mail to Tynedalesman compilers

This page was last updated on 25th March 2008.
© South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2008.