TYNEDALESMAN

MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
NUMBER 154��SUMMER 2008

COVERS AND EDITORIAL PAGE

The Front Cover Photograph

The photograph below, is the one on the front cover of the latest issue of Tynedalesman magazine, it shows steam locomotive Thomas Edmondson awaiting departure from Kirkhaugh with the 25th Anniversary Special train. Photo by Dave Hewitt.

Editorial

Oh how times have changed! As we celebrate 25 years of the South Tynedale Railway, Steven Dyke looks back to the opening of the line.

Since that magic day the railway has expanded in length, locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, etc. Members have come and gone, legislation has changed and inflation has taken it’s toll.

So what of the next 25 years? By then I am sure that we will have reached Slaggyford, locomotives will have come and gone and sadly some of us will not be around to celebrate the occasion!

But how are we going to reach that magic date? The average age of our volunteers goes on upwards, costs go up, some at a frightening rate, also health and safety legislation will be more rigorously enforced. Can we expect volunteers to give of their time and their cars freely or is the time approaching where we may have to offer some assistance with travel costs? This idea may horrify some, but look around you. Major charities, including the National Trust are offering help with travel costs and for many members such assistance may well encourage them to come up to Alston more frequently.

We must also keep revisiting the question of recruiting and retaining new volunteers, as they are the real future of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society and in reality the ones who will see the Society through to its 50th Anniversary.

Mike and Claire Le Marie

The Rear Cover Photograph

The photograph below, is the one on the rear cover of the latest issue of Tynedalesman magazine, it shows the rare plant called “ Epipactis dunensis var tynensis”, an inland type of Dune helleborine and a member of the orchid family, which only grows at eight sites in England, including Alston station. Photo by Alan Gendle.

About Tynedalesman Magazine

Tynedalesman is the magazine of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society is published each Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The views expressed by individuals in this magazine may not necessarily reflect the official views or current policies of the S.T.R.P.S..

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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

Mission Statement for the South Tynedale Railway:-
�To provide satisfaction for our customers and volunteers
by operating a friendly, safe and efficient narrow-gauge railway.�