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Northern England’s Highest Narrow Gauge Railway at Alston, Cumbria. |
the South Tynedale Railway.
Steam and diesel hauled trains
between Alston and Kirkhaugh.
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 is painted in 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.
Some information about the South Tynedale Railway.
The South Tynedale Railway operates steam and diesel hauled passenger trains, along a 2� mile line from Alston, in Cumbria to Kirkhaugh, in Northumberland, along part of the very scenic South Tyne valley.
The railway is operated and maintained by volunteer members of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society. 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”.
During 2009, train services operate on certain dates between 10th April and 31st October, also “Santa Special” trains will be operating on the three weekends and on the Monday before Christmas in December. See the timetable page for more details. Copies of the 2009 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.
2009 will be the 26th 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 2� 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.
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 2009 timetable and information leaflet for the railway is now available. Copies can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope measuring at least 8� 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.
About the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society and membership.
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.
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 work on the railway. This includes train operating duties, such as guards, signalpersons, steam locomotive crew and diesel drivers, or assisting with locomotive and rolling stock maintenance and restoration. Other work includes assisting with the organisation of the special events which take place each year, or helping with other necessary tasks either on or on behalf of the railway, including dealing with paperwork, such as correspondence and with the publicity of the railway and forthcoming special events.
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. Help is always required with various tasks throughout the year on the railway, which includes 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 at any time during the year. 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 [email protected]
Items for sale - available from Alston Station shop:-
- The latest fifth edition of the “South Tynedale Railway - Visitors Guide” book is now available from Alston Station shop, price �2.00, postage extra.
- 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.
Visit the historic town of Alston, only 5 minutes walk from the railway.
- For details about the historic town of Alston and what to see around the town, including photographs - please see the Alston page of �The Cumbria Directory� website.
- For details of the history of the town of Alston and surrounding area - see the Answers.com/Wikipedia webpage about Alston.
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: [email protected] - 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:-
- The EdenStay website at www.eden-in-cumbria.co.uk
- or the North Pennines area website at www.northpennines.org.uk
- or the Alston area pages of the Edge Guide to Cumbria and the Lake District website at www.edgeguide.co.uk/cumbria/alston.html
Visitor Numbers and E-mail address:-
Number of visitors to this page from 1st January 2008.
The South Tynedale Railway can be contacted by E-mail at [email protected]
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.