The pride and passion of a band of volunteers has kept the age of steam alive in Alston and the North Pennines for more than 40 years.
And steam train fans will be in for a real treat this summer at the South Tynedale Railway, when a special guest will be the star of the show at the annual steam gala.
The gala will be graced by a rare historic steam locomotive, built during the First World War to help troops on the front line.
Hunslet 1215 was one of 145 of its kind. Built in Leeds on the orders of the War Department Light Railways, it left the Hunslet works in August 1916, for the journey to the Western Front.
It was used at Boisleux-au-Mont near the front line at Ficheux and survived the war, being brought back to Leeds where Hunslet sold it to an engineering firm in Australia.
It was then sold to a sugar mill company and spent its working life on the sugar cane railways.
It was repatriated to the UK in 2005 thanks to the War Office Locomotive Society, which managed to acquire it, and it is now based at the Apedale Valley Light Railway in Staffordshire.
Hunslet 1215, along with South Tynedale Railway’s fleet of locomotives will be taking passengers along the scenic route through the North Pennines during the steam gala, which will run over two weekends on July 5 and July 6 and July 12 and July 13.
The Alston-based steam loco, Green Dragon, built at Hunslet in 1937 will be in action over the weekends, as well at the Polish-built Naklo built in 1957, and diesel and electric locos.
Activities for children will be taking place during the gala including a treasure hunt.
The railway is also home to an exhibition charting its history. The exhibition room overlooks the engineering shed, where work takes place to maintain the rolling stock.
The line between Alston and Haltwhistle was closed by British Rail in 1976, but in 1983 a section of it was reopened by a group of heritage train enthusiasts.
Forty three years on, narrow gauge steam and diesel trains run along the five-mile track via, Kirkhaugh and Lintley, to the beautifully-restored station at Slaggyford, with its signal box, waiting rooms and a siding where a buffet car offers refreshments.
The station at Alston is Grade II-listed and also has a compulsory cafe and large car park for visitors.
The station is also a popular location for walkers and cyclists to join the 23-mile South Tyne Trail – much of it follows the route of the railway line.
South Tynedale Railway always welcomes new volunteers for all roles.
The railway opens for the season on Saturday, April 5.
For more information visit https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/
