STR totem logo Timetables, Fares & Special Events
for the South Tynedale Railway
at Alston, Cumbria.

2009 Timetable, Special Events
and Fares Information
Helen Kathryn couples up to carriages at Kirkhaugh Station, 23 July 2005
STR Timetable leaflet 2009

The photograph above shows the German-built Henschel Riesa class 0-4-0 tank steam locomotive “Helen Kathryn” coupling up to the passenger train carriages at Kirkhaugh Station on Saturday afternoon 23rd July 2005. Being watched by the guard and passengers. Photograph by Stephen Carlton. During steam days, trains will be hauled by either this locomotive or either by the Polish 0-6-0 tender locomotive “Naklo” or the German built Henschel 0-4-0 tank locomotive “Thomas Edmondson”.

The South Tynedale Railway operates passenger trains along a two foot narrow gauge line between Alston, in Cumbria and Kirkhaugh, in Northumberland, which is 2¼ miles in length.

During 2009, train services operate between 10th April and 31st October as shown on the calendar shown below, plus Santa Special trains on the first three weekends in December and on the Monday (21st December) before Christmas.

This page shows the operating dates and times of the passenger trains on the railway and it includes details of fares and special events. Further details of forthcoming train services, special events and recent developments on the railway can be found on the South Tynedale Railway News page, which is updated regularly and this information may prove to be useful when planning a visit to the railway.

Please note that passenger trains no longer stop at Gilderdale station which was closed from Saturday 4th September 1999 when operation of the Gilderdale to Kirkhaugh stretch of line was officially opened.

If you are travelling to the railway by car, the railway is fairly easy to find, just follow the brown road signs in Alston and the surrounding area.

Bus Services in the Alston area are very infrequent, if you planning are travelling by bus, please see the bus timetable pages for a guide to the bus services in the area.

Intending bus passengers should also check for any changes or updates to bus service information with local Tourist Information Centres, or by telephoning the Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or by visiting the website at www.traveline.info prior to travelling. To ensure that they have the up to date bus service details, including the correct departure and arrival times, as bus routes and timetables are liable to alteration at very short notice.

The 2009 timetable leaflet is now available, as shown above, and copies can be obtained by either writing to the South Tynedale Railway, The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3JB, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope measuring at least 8.5 inches by 4 inches or 210 mm by 105 mm, or by sending your full name and postal address in an E-mail message to the South Tynedale Railway.

Scanned copies of some of the pages of the 2009 timetable and information leaflet, are available, as shown in blue text as links below. These can be downloaded using the Adobe Reader computer program, which is available for download free of charge from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com

2009 Train Services:-

  APRIL MAY JUNE
Mon     6 13 20 27        4 11 18 25     1  8 15 22 29   
Tues     7 14 21 28        5 12 19 26     2  9 16 23 30   
Wed  1  8 15 22 29        6 13 20 27     3 10 17 24      
Thu  2  9 16 23 30        7 14 21 28     4 11 18 25      
Fri  3 10 17 24        1  8 15 22 29     5 12 19 26      
Sat  4 11 18 25        2  9 16 23 30     6 13 20 27      
Sun  5 12 19 26        3 10 17 24 31     7 14 21 28      


  JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
Mon     6 13 20 27        3 10 17 24 31     7 14 21 28   
Tues     7 14 21 28        4 11 18 25     1  8 15 22 29   
Wed  1  8 15 22 29        5 12 19 26     2  9 16 23 30   
Thu  2  9 16 23 30        6 13 20 27     3 10 17 24      
Fri  3 10 17 24 31        7 14 21 28     4 11 18 25      
Sat  4 11 18 25        1  8 15 22 29     5 12 19 26      
Sun  5 12 19 26        2  9 16 23 30     6 13 20 27      


  OCTOBER DECEMBER
Mon     5 12 19 26        7 14 21 28   
Tues     6 13 20 27     1  8 15 22 29   
Wed     7 14 21 28     2  9 16 23 30   
Thu  1  8 15 22 29     3 10 17 24 31   
Fri  2  9 16 23 30     4 11 18 25      
Sat  3 10 17 24 31     5 12 19 26      
Sun  4 11 18 25        6 13 20 27      

Trains depart from Alston at the following times on the dates as coloured above:
Trains depart Alston Station at:-
11.00 am, 12.15 am,
2.15 pm and 3.30 pm. 		Trains depart Kirkhaugh Station at:-
11.30 am, 12.45 pm,
2.45 pm and 4.00 pm.
Special event day timetable:
To be confirmed, please enquire for details.
Santa Steam Specials:
Special timetable operates.

Please note that there is no road access to or from Kirkhaugh Station.

  • On uncoloured (white background) days shown on the above calendar, no train service will operate.
  • Trains will depart from Kirkhaugh 30 minutes after the Alston departure times.
  • Refreshments may be available on certain dates from a buffet coach on the train - either during the journey or before departure of the train from either Alston Station or Kirkhaugh Station (subject to availability of catering volunteers).
  • The journey takes about 15 minutes in each direction.
  • Train services will not operate during November 2009.

The South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, being a voluntary organisation, will make every effort to maintain its advertised train service, but reserve the right to cancel or alter any train and accept no liability for any loss, inconvenience or delay thereby caused.

The South Tynedale Railway is managed, maintained and operated by volunteers of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society. New volunteers are always welcome. Membership application forms can be obtained from the Railway Shop at Alston Station, or by writing to the Membership Secretary, c/o The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB or by printing out, completing and posting the membership application form included on the Membership pages of this internet site, or hand it to the booking clerk in the Railway Shop at Alston Station.

2009 Steam Days:-

Steam trains will run on the following dates (subject to availability of staff and steam locomotives):-

It is possible that a steam locomotive might operate on other days. Please telephone two days in advance to enquire.

  • April: 10th to 13th;
  • May: 2nd to 4th and 23rd to 25th;
  • June: 6th and 7th, 13th and 14th, 20th and 21st, 27th and 28th;
  • July: 4th and 5th, 11th and 12th, 18th and 19th, 25th and 26th;
  • August: 1st to 31st
  • September: 5th and 6th, 12th and 13th, 19th and 20th, 26th and 27th;
  • December: 5th and 6th, 12th and 13th, 19th to 21st.

2009 Special Events:-

Other special events will take place on the railway during 2009, in addition to Santa Specials shown below, but full details of these have not yet been confirmed.

When details are finalised, full details of the other special events being staged during 2009, will be added to either this page or to the News page of this website during the year. Alternatively, details can be obtained during the year by telephoning Alston Station on either 01434 382828 for the talking timetable, or 01434 381696 for other information.

  • Saturdays 5th, 12th & 19th/Sundays 6th, 13th & 20th/Monday 21st December - “Santa Specials”.
    All aboard for a seasonal train ride, followed by a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto.
    Ticket price includes a visit to Santa Claus and a present for each child, plus seasonal refreshments for all.
    No advance booking required.
    Trains depart Alston at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
    Return Fares: Prices to be confirmed.

For further details about the railway, train services or special events, please contact:-

South Tynedale Railway, The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone: (01434) 381696 or talking timetable (01434) 382828.

2009 Fares:-

  • Return Fares: Adult £5.50; Child (3 to 15 years) £2.50; Family £15.00

  • Single Fares: Adult £3.30; Child (3 to 15 years) £1.50

  • All Day Ticket: Adult £9.00; Child (3 to 15 years) £4.00; Dog 50p

  • Dog Ticket: 50p per single or return journey.

  • Bicycle: 50p per single or return journey. Bicycles will only be carried if there is space available. Please check with the guard.

Family ticket is for 2 adults and up to 3 children.

Children under 3 years of age travel free, except during some special events.

Discounts for pre-booked parties of ten or more passengers (except for special event days).

Different fares will apply during special event days - please enquire for details.

Bicycles will only be carried if there is space available. Please check with the guard.

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

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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 20th December 2008.
© South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2008.