TYNEDALESMAN
MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
NUMBER 154 SUMMER 2008SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY 25TH ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE PAGE
South Tynedale Railway 25th Anniversary: 1983 - 2008
by Steven DykeThe 25th anniversary of the opening of the South Tynedale Railway to passengers was celebrated on Wednesday 30th July 2008. Invited guests and Society members, (including several whose active involvement extends back 25 years or longer), assembled at Alston station around mid-day. They joined the 12.15 pm train, which was hauled by steam locomotive No. 6 Thomas Edmondson, suitably bedecked with a special 25th Anniversary headboard.
As it was a scheduled departure on an advertised operating day, some of the ordinary passengers turning up for the train seemed initially a little bemused, but then pleased to discover that they were travelling on such a significant occasion in the railway’s history.
Special Edmondson-style tickets had been produced for the anniversary, and the task of clipping them was undertaken by the train guard, Tom Bell, whose “career” as a qualified member of railway operating staff spans the entire 25 years of our passenger train operations.
After arrival at Kirkhaugh station, passengers assembled on the platform, where our chairman introduced the Society’s Patron, Lord Inglewood, who then gave a short speech to mark the occasion. He summarised the development of the railway over the years, thanked the members and other supporters for their contributions to its success and looked forward to its progress northwards.
Many photographs were taken to record the event, and fortunately, in this somewhat dubious summer, the weather managed to remain dry. On completion of the return journey to Alston, our guests were directed to the Alston House Hotel (which some members may still think of, by its former name of the Hill Crest), where an enjoyable buffet lunch was provided, with a suitably decorated 25th Anniversary cake as the centrepiece. Inevitably, there was much reminiscing over the activities of the past 25, or more, years.
One of our guests, was Malcolm Temple, who had been the manager of the Manpower Services Commission scheme, which was based at Alston Station prior to the opening of our line. He brought along a selection of photographs showing work that the scheme had undertaken on the station outbuildings, car park, picnic area and the bodywork of our first two carriages, (one of which had been included in the formation of the Anniversary train). Although only a few of those present had first hand knowledge of that era, it was interesting for all to see what is now probably a little-known contribution to the early success of the South Tynedale Railway.
At the risk of being repetitive of what has been said on other special occasions in the Society’s history, but nonetheless sincere, thanks are expressed to all who were involved in organising the 25th Anniversary celebrations and to all who have played a part in the Society’s achievements over the years.
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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 compilersMission Statement for the South Tynedale Railway:-
“To provide satisfaction for our customers and volunteers
by operating a friendly, safe and efficient narrow-gauge railway.”
© South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, September 2008.