Northumbrian Railways

Alston Branch

13.5 mile single track line from Haltwhistle (Newcastle & Carlisle Railway) to Alston, with 4 intermediate stations at Featherstone Park, Coanwood (originally called Shafthill), Lambley and Slaggyford.

• 1846 Newcastle & Carlisle Railway are authorised to build a branch to Nenthead on 26 August.
• 1849 Second Act authorises the N&CR to abandon the line beyond Alston
• 1851 Haltwhistle to Shafthill opens for freight in March and on 19 July for passengers.
• 1852 Alston to Lambley opens for freight on 5 January. Line opened throughout on 17 November with the completion of the Lambley viaduct.
• 1955 Goods service withdrawn from Coanwood and intermediate stations become unstaffed halts.
• 1959 Alston engine shed closed, 27 September.
• 1960 Goods service withdrawn from Lambley and Slaggyford.
• 1963 Goods service withdrawn from Featherstone Park.
• 1965 Goods service withdrawn from Alston on 6 September.
• 1966 "One engine in steam" working introduced and signal boxes closed in October.
• 1976 Last train ran on 1 May, line closed on 3 May.
• 1983 South Tynedale Railway (2 foot gauge) re-opens a section of the line from Alston to Gilderdale.
• 1999 Line extended to Kirkhaugh (2.5 miles).