South Tynedale Railway
The South Tynedale Railway is England's highest narrow-gauge railway — a 2 ft gauge heritage line running 5 miles between Alston (875 ft above sea level) in Cumbria and Slaggyford in Northumberland, through the wild and remote upper valley of the South Tyne in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The line follows the trackbed of the former North Eastern Railway branch from Haltwhistle — itself one of the most scenically dramatic standard-gauge branches in northern England — relaid at narrow gauge after the standard-gauge closure in 1976.
Alston is the highest market town in England, and the railway's elevated position gives the journey through the South Tyne valley a character quite different from the lowland heritage railways of the south: exposed moorland, stone-walled fields, the dark peat hills of the Pennines, and the river below carrying the peaty water of the upland watershed. The operating section crosses the Thorngreen Viaduct — a stone structure inherited from the NER branch — and passes through the lonely hamlet of Gilderdale before reaching Slaggyford, with long-term plans to extend further down the valley toward Lambley and the spectacular Lambley Viaduct.
The STR's collection of 2 ft gauge steam and diesel locomotives includes examples from the UK, Europe, and South America — the eclectic international character typical of the narrow-gauge preservation world, where suitable motive power is sought wherever in the world working examples survive.
History
The standard-gauge line closed in 1976, the last surviving rural branch in the North East. The South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1973 with the original aim of saving the standard-gauge railway, but after closure the trackbed was relaid as a 2 ft narrow-gauge tourist line, opening to Gilderdale in 1983. Subsequent extensions reached Kirkhaugh (1999), Lintley (2012) and Slaggyford (2018), bringing the total length to 5 miles.
Original line history
The Haltwhistle to Alston branch was built by the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway and opened throughout in 1852, later passing to the North Eastern Railway. Engineered by Sir George Barclay-Bruce, the line included the magnificent Lambley Viaduct across the South Tyne, a 110 ft high, nine-arch sandstone structure (preserved today as a footpath). The line served the lead-mining communities of Alston Moor and remained in service longer than most rural branches because of the difficulty of road access in winter.
Stations and infrastructure
Alston is the headquarters, with the original NER station building and goods shed. Slaggyford, opened in 2018, is also an original NER station and has been beautifully restored.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include steam galas, "lead mining heritage" weekends, photo charters and Santa Specials. The line is a popular stop for visitors touring Hadrian's Wall and the North Pennines AONB.
Visitor information
Alston is reached via the A686 from Penrith or the A689 from Brampton. The station is at the south end of the town. Walking and cycling on the South Tyne Trail follows the line.
