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

2008 Timetable, Special Events
and Fares Information
Helen Kathryn couples up to carriages at Kirkhaugh Station, 23 July 2005

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 2008, train services operate between 21st March and 30th October as shown on the calendar shown below, plus Santa Special trains on certain days in December.

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 and either telephone the bus company, or the contact the Traveline on 0870 608 2608 or visit the website at www.traveline.org.uk prior to travelling, to check the departure and arrival times, as these may be altered at very short notice.

The 2008 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 2008 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

2008 Train Services:-

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

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


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

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.
Please note:- There is no road access
to or from Kirkhaugh Station.
Special event day timetable:
Please enquire for details.
Santa Steam Specials:
Special timetable operates.
  • Please note that on uncoloured (white background) days, no train service operates.
  • 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.
  • The journey takes about 15 minutes in each direction.
  • Train services will not operate during November 2008.

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.

2008 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.

Please note that during prolonged warm and dry spells of weather, trains may be diesel hauled, to minimise the risk of lineside fires.

  • March: 21st to 24th;
  • May: 3rd/4th/5th/24th/25th/26th;
  • June: 1st/8th/15th/22nd/29th;
  • July: 5th/6th/13th/20th to 24th/27th to 31st;
  • August: 3rd to 7th/10th to 14th/17th to 21st/24th to 28th/31st;
  • September: 1st to 4th/7th/14th/21st/28th;
  • October: 25th and 26th;
  • December: 6th/7th/13th/14th/20th/21st/22nd.

2008 Special Events:-

The following special events will take place on the railway during 2008:-

  • Good Friday 21st/Saturday 22nd/Easter Sunday 23rd/Easter Monday 24th March - “Easter Egg Hunt”.
    Find the clues, answer the questions and win an easter egg.
    Return fares for this event are - Adult £6.00, Child (3 to 15 years) £4.00.
    Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children) £19.00.

  • Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th July - “Teddy Bears’ Picnic”.
    Bring your favourite bear along and travel on the train with our resident Teddy Bears!
    Ticket price includes a snack pack for every child.
    Trains depart Alston at 11.00 am, 12.15 pm, 2.15 pm and 3.30 pm.
    Return Fares - Children (aged 3 to 15 years) £4.00, Adults £6.00
    Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £19.00.

  • Wednesday 30th July - “Our 25th Anniversary”.
    Help us celebrate the opening of the narrow gauge railway 25 years ago.
    A special timetable will apply.

  • Saturday 2nd/Sunday 3rd August - “25th Anniversary Gala Weekend”.
    See our three steam locomotives operating all day on passenger trains.
    Also behind the scene tours of the workshop and locomotive shed.
    First train departs Alston at 10.15 am and then at regular intervals until 4.30 pm.
    Normal fares apply.

  • Saturday 25th/Sunday 26th October - “Halloween Fancy Dress Specials”.
    Come in fancy dress. Witches, wizards and ghouls especially welcome.
    Spooky goody bag for each child.
    Trains depart Alston at 11.00 am, 12.15 pm, 2.15 pm and 3.30 pm.
    Return Fares - Children (aged 3 to 15 years) £4.00, Adults £6.00
    Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £19.00.

  • Saturdays 6th, 13th & 20th/Sundays 7th, 14th & 21st/Monday 22nd 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: Children (aged 2 to 15 years) £8.00, Adults £8.00.

For further details about the railway and train services, either on the above special event dates and throughout the year, please contact:-

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

2008 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 2nd June 2008.
© South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2008.