South Tynedale Railway, Alston, Cumbria

South Tynedale Railway.
Train services between Alston and Kirkhaugh.
[train-photo]

Come to Alston, in Cumbria and enjoy a leisurely train ride along the beautiful scenery of the South Tyne Valley, trains run between Alston Station, which is 875 feet above sea level, and Kirkhaugh, in Northumberland, following part of the route of the old Haltwhistle to Alston branch line.

The attractive scenery of the North Pennines, now designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be viewed from the railway. The trains are hauled by preserved steam and diesel locomotives, which are of either British or overseas origin.

Alston Station has a pleasant riverside setting and the train tickets are sold from the restored Victorian station building. Souvenirs, books, videos, confectionery, ice cream and soft drinks are available in the railway shop. There is free car and coach parking, a picnic area and toilets. There are refreshment facilities, which are not operated by the railway, at Alston Station and in the town of Alston, which is only five minutes walk from the station.

The return train journey to Kirkhaugh may be done in 50 minutes, but it is far nicer, on a fine weather day, to spend a little time at Kirkhaugh, to sample the contents of the refreshment van, and perhaps stay for a picnic. The station at Kirkhaugh has no road access, but it may be reached by the lineside foootpath from Alston.

A carriage with access for wheelchair users is available. Advance booking is recommended, telephone 01434 381696. A wheelchair accessible toilet is available at Alston Station.

Other attractions located near Alston Station, but which are not operated by the South Tynedale Railway include:-

The Hub. An exhibition of transport memorabilia and related artefacts, which is housed in the restored Alston Goods Shed building, which is located opposite Alston Station.
The Alston Model Railway Exhibition Centre, operated by Townfoot Models, which includes six model railway layouts, including a well stocked model shop selling a range of new and second hand model railway items, tools and materials. This is located in one of the industrial units near Alston Station. There is an admission charge payable for admission to view the model railway layouts. Telephone 01434 382100 for further details and to check opening times.

The fascinating history of this former lead-mining area may be further explored by visiting the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre or the Killhope Lead Mining Museum in Weardale.

The photograph above shows the Polish 0-6-0 plus tender steam locomotive "Naklo" with four carriages and a guards van at Kirkhaugh Station in June 2003. (Photograph by Daniel McIntyre). During steam days, trains will be hauled by this steam locomotive.

About the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society

The Haltwhistle to Alston branch line, was opened by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company in 1852, and was closed by British Rail on 1st May 1976. The South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society was formed in April 1973 and, although unable to save the original standard gauge line, it succeeded in constructing and opening a narrow gauge line along part of the old trackbed, and passenger trains have operated along it from 30th July 1983 which has brought trains back to Alston, helped by grants from various sources and by the invaluable support of the Society membership.

Construction, operation, maintenance and management of the railway depends heavily on the voluntary work of Society members. New members are always welcome, to assist with railway operation, restoration and construction work, fund-raising and publicity. The Society's Volunteer Liaison Officer will arrange the appropriate training for those who wish to become actively involved. Membership application forms are available from Alston Station.

For further information about the Society, please contact the South Tynedale Railway at Alston Station, in writing or by phone - the address and telephone number details are shown at the bottom of this page, or see the membership page.

The Society is a Corporate Member of the Heritage Railway Association, which was formerly known as the Association of Independent Railways and Preservation Societies.

How to get to Alston:-

Road access from surrounding areas is by five scenic routes which converge on Alston, these being as follows:-

The A689 road from either Brampton or Haltwhistle in Northumberland; or from Stanhope in County Durham.
The A686 road from either Hexham or Haydon Bridge in Northumberland; or from Penrith in Cumbria.
The B6277 road from Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale, in County Durham.

These roads provide links with all of the North Pennines Dales, the Lake District to the west, and Hadrian's Wall and Northumberland National Park to the north.

Alston Station is located just off the A686 road, north of Alston town centre. Look for the brown and white direction signs on roads into Alston.

Details of how to get to Alston by public transport is shown below.

Getting to Alston by Public Transport:-

The following bus services are expected to operate during 2005:-

Haltwhistle Railway Station - Alston.
Mondays to Saturdays only, change vehicles at Halton-lea-Gate on most journeys.
Carlisle - Alston.
Mondays to Saturdays only.
Durham - Alston.
Saturdays and August Bank Holiday Monday only between July and September only.
Newcastle - Hexham - Alston - Penrith - Keswick.
The full service between Newcastle and Keswick operates between July and September only. Outside that period journeys only operate between Newcastle or Gateshead Metrocentre, Hexham and Alston, there are no services between Alston and Penrith or Keswick and there are no journeys on Sundays.
There are also some local bus services between Alston, Nenthead and Garrigill.

All bus services are infrequent and can vary seasonally. Passengers are advised to check times and dates of operation before travelling. During the Summer months details of public transport throughout the North Pennines area are published in a "Across the Roof of England" timetable brochure obtainable from Tourist Information Centres in the area. For information on all public transport in Northern England, telephone the Traveline on 0870 6082608 (calls charged at the National Rate) or visit the website at www.traveline.org.uk.

Details of bus services can also be found on the bus timetable pages.

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

THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone 01434 381696. Talking timetable - Telephone 01434 382828.
(Answerphone service available when Alston Station shop is closed.)
Registered Charity No. 514939.

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 Liesel Metz

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