Aln Valley Railway
The Aln Valley Railway is a standard-gauge heritage railway in Northumberland, based at the purpose-built Lionheart station on the western edge of Alnwick, steadily rebuilding the former North Eastern Railway branch from Alnmouth on the East Coast Main Line to Alnwick — a 3-mile branch that closed in January 1968, ending the medieval market town's rail connection.
The Aln Valley Railway Society was formed in 1995 after the original Alnwick station was redeveloped as the celebrated Barter Books antiquarian bookshop — one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Europe, itself a significant visitor attraction. Lionheart station was built from new on the Lionheart Enterprise Park on the western edge of Alnwick, and preserved passenger services began in 2014. The railway has since extended along the original alignment toward Alnmouth, with the long-term ambition to restore a through connection to the East Coast Main Line that would allow heritage services to run directly from the national network.
Alnwick's other visitor attractions — Alnwick Castle (used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films), Alnwick Garden, and Barter Books — give the town some of the most diverse visitor appeal of any heritage railway location in the north-east. The Aln Valley Railway sits within this broader visitor offer as the town's working historical railway element.
History
The Aln Valley Railway Society was formed in 1995 with the aim of restoring rail access to Alnwick after the loss of the original station (which had been redeveloped as Barter Books). Lionheart Station was constructed from scratch on greenfield land beside the trackbed, and the first passenger services operated in 2014. Extensions toward Alnmouth have continued in stages.
Original line history
The Alnmouth to Alnwick branch was opened in 1850 by the North Eastern Railway, with the magnificent terminus at Alnwick, designed by William Bell, opening in 1887. The branch was the start of the longer Alnwick to Cornhill (Coldstream) cross-country line. Cornhill services ended in 1930, and the Alnmouth–Alnwick branch closed to passengers in 1968.
Stations and infrastructure
Lionheart is a new-build station with extensive workshop and visitor facilities. Greenrigg Halt is an intermediate stopping point along the route.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line runs steam galas, dining trains, photographic charters and Santa Specials. Combined visits with Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden are popular among visitors to the area.
Visitor information
Lionheart Station is signposted from the A1 north of Alnwick, on the western side of the town. Alnmouth (on the East Coast Main Line) provides nearby access by National Rail, with onward connection by bus or taxi.
