Aln Valley Railway to mark 60th anniversary of branch line closure with special event

Aln Valley Railway is marking the 60th anniversary of the ending of British Railways' steam passenger trains on the Alnmouth to Alnwick branch line.

There will be a frequent service of steam trains for passengers between Lionheart station and Greenrigg Halt on the weekend of June 20-21.

A steam train arriving at Alnmouth station from Alnwick almost 100 years ago. (Credit: Aln Valley Railway archive/Bill Hampson)

placeholder image — A steam train arriving at Alnmouth station from Alnwick almost 100 years ago. (Credit: Aln Valley Railway archive/Bill Hampson)

There will also be steam traction, vintage carriages and the North Eastern Railway Directors’ Coach – a luxurious Victorian saloon which was built in 1896 and has been lovingly restored by Aln Valley Railway volunteers.

To evoke the history of the branch line, which carried both passengers and freight, steam locomotive Renishaw will haul goods wagons during the day. There will also be the opportunity for a limited number of ticket holders to ride in the Directors’ Coach.

On the evening of June 20, further steam hauled trains carrying both passengers and freight will be running, including a photographers’ special.

The branch line was closed in 1968 and the track was removed. Aln Valley Railway has been restoring the line over the last 14 years, with plans in place to extend it from the current terminus at Greenrigg Halt (halfway to Alnmouth) all the way to Alnmouth Station.

This commemoration, together with a celebration of diesel locomotive Shirley’s 75th birthday, follows on from last year’s celebration of the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Alnmouth to Alnwick branch line.