South Tynedale Railway.

Ooohhh

Pleased to see that news about Naklo.


And a piece of information - If you like old British motorbikes, some of the AJS & Matchless Owner's Club annual rally participants are visiting on Saturday, 30th August 2025, and travelling on the 13:00 train.

I'm part of the team hosting the rally, but not on any of my m/bikes ...

 

Couple of shots of Naklo back in play

 

Not quite sure that the full story is in the public domain, but in appears that the STRPS Trustees have evicted "Woolys" from the Crossing Cafe wef the 30thJan2026.

I'm very surprised, as I was looking forward to eating there on Sunday ...

and especially given the trouble / length of time it took to get anyone half decent even to apply, after Dug & Kim retired - they stayed on for another year to help out.

 

Railway posted a response, stating un paid utility bills. Truth will come out at some point.

 

The info I have seen indicated that those bills were paid, in full, if a little late but before the so-called final deadline.

It doesn't help that it's winter - a notoriously hard time for cafes - and the level crossing to the car park & hence access to the ST Trail / walking route have been shut so stifling the passing trade.

 

At t

At this point not sure. But either way not good. Truth will come out eventually.

 

Aye, there's always at least two sides to any story.

But the present optics of the situation are that this was handled very sub-optimally, especially from locals point of view.

 

Inclined to agree. Local pages really arent happy about it.

 

Are there going to be any visiting locos for the galas in the first 2 weekends in July, does anyone know please?

 

Website says
Ogwen and Cegin: https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/event/saturday-4-july-2026-13-00/

 

Thanks for your prompt response

 

Plus Howard

 

I braved public transport and the damp weather on Saturday to make a brief first visit for the gala.

Not the intensity of activity you'd normally expect at such an event, but this friendly place has a genuine light railway feel (balcony end coaches help), and even in damp low cloud the scenery is stunning. Alston is a gem of a town too. A place to spend a longer time in the future.

With a great forecast for the upcoming 2nd weekend, anyone going, enjoy!

 

Did only Howard turn up as visiting loco? Are the departures just the normal three? is there anything like a demo freight? their website doesn't offer anything? Thanks, thinking of going Saturday, couple it with 34067 on the Cumbrian if the fire risk doesn't squash it.

 

Three departures as per website. Only Howard visiting, which stayed on Alston end, top and tailed with home locos - last departure had all 3 (as a last minute decision). Some diesel moves in Alston Station between trains, but no freights. They did post a timetable with allocations and moves on their facebook page which is publicly accessible. No doubt they'll post again for weekend.

 

This is a small operation that struggles with support , a bit hard to provide extra departures and freight.

 

Thanks for the replies, I have read elsewhere they struggle for support being located to where they are, That's why we intend to support them. I'm going to scrap the mainline steam over Shap even if it's on time it means I would only get to travel on/see the 3pm departure, need to get there for the 10.30 to make it worth while. Nice pre-event for the up and coming annual Thelkeld bash at the end of the month, no details other than the dates on their site yet.

 

I struggle to support them after their shoddy treatment of Barber

 

I hate to open that can of worms again but yes, I would agree that they alienated a lot of people through that. A shame, as I'm sure it's a lovely railway otherwise.

 

I went years ago, and it was freindly and fun, I don't deny, and in a beautiful part of the world - but I just can't square up in my head what they did for a railway that does appear to struggle when in my mind there'd have been other priorities to spend money on.