This article was put together to further illustrate the fine talk on the Alston Branch Line given to the Heddon Local History Society on Monday 9th February by John Gillott.
Branch train for Alston stands at Haltwhistle by Roger Cornfoot (1964)
Introduction from Wikipedia
The Alston Line was a 13.5-mile (21.7 km) standard gauge branch line railway that operated in the counties of Northumberland and Cumbria in England. Starting at its junction with the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway line at Haltwhistle, the line ran to the town of Alston. An 1846 Parliamentary Act authorised a line as far as Nenthead, providing an outlet for the lead mines in the Alston area, and plans were made to connect with railways further south. When the decision was made to terminate the branch at Alston, a further act was needed in 1849.
Initially the line opened in stages: from the junction to Shafthill (later renamed Coanwood) in 1851, and from Alston to Lambley in 1852. The full opening of the line awaited the construction of Lambley Viaduct, and was achieved later in 1852.
Initially the line opened in stages: from the junction to Shafthill (later renamed Coanwood) in 1851, and from Alston to Lambley in 1852. The full opening of the line awaited the construction of Lambley Viaduct, and was achieved later in 1852.
Lambley Station & Viaduct. Photo A Curtis (2015).
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