DMU Operations: North Eastern Region
Alston Branch
This 13 mile line linked Haltwhistle (Northumberland, 34 miles from Newcastle) on the Newcastle-Carlisle line with Alston (Cumbria).
DMUs were introduced from 27 September 1959, with Alston shed closing that day[1]. The sets were supplied by South Gosforth depot in Newcastle. Class 101 Met-Camm sets were the dominant type used, Class 108s were not uncommon. Between May 1965 and early 1966 a German Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus was trialled on the branch without success. When South Gosforth had some GRC&W Class 100s in the late 1960s these appeared on the branch, sometimes as part of a hybrid set.
The line closed on 3rd May 1976 with the last train running on the 1st. Part of the line is now the narrow gauge South Tynedale Railway. The station links on the route diagram below go to the "Disused stations" website.
Videos — here are some links to YouTube videos featuring DMUs on the line:
1963 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrtu_uhstU
1974 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OthgHnMpGQk
circa 1976 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8hTqWKd1J8
Timetables
The timetable was incorporated into that of the Newcastle-Carlisle line, a selection of which are shown below. If you have any others that can be added here please get in touch.
13th June to 11th September 1960
This measured 4 1/2" x 6" when folded with the front and back being the same, opening to be a stapled booklet
PDF Download
12th June to 10th September 1961
This measured 4 1/2" x 6" when folded with the front and back being the same, opening to be a stapled booklet
PDF Download
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
This measured 4 1/2" x 6" when folded with the front and back being the same, opening to be a stapled booklet
PDF Download
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
June 15 until September 6, 1964
September 6, 1964 until November 1, 1964
Images
1960
A Met-Camm DMU in Alston station in 1960. Stuart Mackay Collection.
25th June 1963
A scene from Alston railway station - still with overall roof and adjacent shed, on Tuesday 25/06/1963. A Met-Camm DMU is awaiting the return to Haltwhistle. Graeme Phillips Collection.
7th October 1965
A Met-Camm DMU forms the 1.45pm Haltwhistle service seen awaiting departure from Alston station on 7 October 1965. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th October 1965
The 1.45pm Alston-Haltwhistle service formed of a Met-Camm DMU is seen at Lambley station on 7n October 1965. Stuart Mackay Collection.
6th December 1965
German railbus E79964 in Alston Station on 6 December 1965. Stuart Mackay Collection.
8th September 1967
A Class 108 DMBS (50604) / Class 100 DTC combo is seen at Alston after arrival with 1200 ex-Haltwhistle on Friday 08/09/1967. It would be be nearly nine years before the branch closed in May 1976. Graeme Phillips Collection.
14th September 1967
E51210 waiting departure from Alston with 2G63, the 4.10pm to Haltwhistle, on 14th September 1967. Keith Long.
14th September 1967
A Met-Camm DMU with car No E51210 closet in Alston station with 2G63 the 16:10 to Haltwhistle on 14 September 1967. David Rhodes.
June 1968
GRC&W DMBS E51125 is working with a Met-Camm DTCL when seen coming off the viaduct that crosses the River South Tyne at Lambley whilst heading to Alston in late June 1968. Michael Mensing.
June 1968
A Met-Camm DTCL / GRC&W DMBS (E51125) hybrid set in Lambley station in late June 1968 with a Haltwhistle - Alston service. Michael Mensing.
27th June 1968
A set formed of a Met-Camm DTC and GRC&W DMBS crosses a viaduct two miles north of Alston, on June 27, 1968. Michael Mensing.
27th June 1968
On the afternoon of 27 June 1968 a Met-Camm DTC / GRC&W DMBS hybrid set (both with window bars on the passenger doors) is seen at Slaggyford on the Alston branch. Michael Mensing.
12th May 1970
A Class 101 DMU - in an early version of BR blue livery - is seen at Featherstone Park with 1613 Alston-Haltwhistle at 1637 on 12/05/1970. Graeme Phillips Collection.
December 1970
Alston station with a Met-Camm DMU, December 1970. The terminus of the former Haltwhistle to Alston branch line, which closed in 1976. Ed Fulton.
December 1970
Alston station with Met-Camm DMU, December 1970. The terminus of the former Haltwhistle to Alston branch line, which closed in 1976. Ed Fulton.
summer 1971
A two-car Met-Camm DMU in Alston station. It has Tynerail stickers on the cab which probably dates it to summer 1971. Stuart Mackay Collection.
31st July 1972
A two-car Met-Camm DMU departs from Slaggyford station on the Alston branch on 31 July 1972. Ed Fulton.
11th November 1972
A two-car Class 101 Met-Camm DMU in the Alston platform at Haltwhistle in the fading light of 11 November 1972. Doug Nicholls.
Unknown date
A three-car Class 101 set crosses Lambley Viaduct on the Alston branch, date unknown. Stuart Rankin.
Unknown date
A Class 101 set at Lambley station on the Haltwhistle - Alston line. Date unknown. Stuart Rankin.
References
- ⋏ p391 December 1959 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)