Haltwhistle to Alston - a BBC film from 1970

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From 1970 - British Rail Closure Haltwhistle - Alston Line

"British Rail threatens to close the scenic Haltwhistle to Alston rail line. Is anyone bothered?"

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-british-rail-closure-haltwhistle-alston-line-1970-online

‘It seems tragic, and I suppose George Stephenson would turn in his grave, but it does look like another railway line is rapidly going to go into extinction.’ Tyne Tees TV^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) reporter Brian Shawcross travels the quaint South Tyne Valley rail line from Haltwhistle to Alston, threatened with closure, and interviews the few passengers in a near empty train. One woman claims this picturesque route is a magnet for tourists with cine cameras and there will be protests if it is axed.

Six years later in 1976, 5,000 people turned out to ride the last train to run on the scenic 13-mile route of the Haltwhistle to Alston line, which first opened back in 1852 when the track was completed across the spectacular Lambley viaduct. On a wet Saturday morning in May, Alston Station rocked to the sound of 70s disco music, a mock coffin and wreathes were left on platforms along the route, and two pipers played a lament as the final train departed (on time) at 9.09pm. It was the last surviving passenger branch line in rural North East England. Much later, the market town of Alston became the inspiration for the quirky fictional northern town of Royston Vasey in the popular BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) comedy League of Gentleman.

I have memories of this line - visited 3 or 4 years before its closure as part of an all line rover - train from Carlisle, change at Haltwhistle for a trip up and back to Alston.   Memory of a quiet (over quiet!) , middle of the day train, lovely scenery with a chance to ride behind the driver ... and slow progress at one point as we 'chased' sheep down the line.  A magnificent viaduct, back into Haltwhistle, and connection into the main line train on to Newcastle.

[Electric train]

A similar programme could have been made about many lines closed at that time, Bourne End - High Wycombe needed about the same amount of subsidy to have kept it open.

[eightonedee]

You can still ride part of the route. The Alston end of the formation is now occupied by the South Tynedale Railway, a narrow gauge (2ft gauge) seasonal line with some steam operation. One of the lesser known heritage railways, but worth a look if you are in that part of the country. The area generally is worth a look, with great scenery, and wildlife too in Upper Teesdale to the east.

[bradshaw]

A few miles away in Weardale is the Killhope Lead Mining Museum which is well worth a visit. Further down is Stanhope and the Weardale Railway. Lesser known is Rookhope, served by four buses a day from Stanhope. There is the remains of an inclined railway here and a good walk around the hillside edge back to Eastgate.

I managed to travel on the Alston branch in 1967, spending the return journey in the guard’s van in conversation with him.