South Tynedale Railway

With Hunslet 0-4-2 No.1842 Howard visiting the South Tynedale Railway for two weekends in July, and with enough interest shown, I’m pleased to confirm a short-notice photo charter on Monday 13th July 2026.

The railway runs from Alston, Cumbria through the South Tyne Valley to Slaggyford, Northumberland, along part of the former Haltwhistle–Alston branch. This provides a good mix of open countryside and rural lineside locations.

No.1842 Howard is a Kerr Stuart Brazil class locomotive built by Hunslet in 1936, originally built for the 3ft British Aluminium railway at Lochaber near Fort William “Puggy Line”, where it ran as Lady Morrison. It has since been regauged to 2ft and is now based at Statfold Barn Railway.

Plan for the day:

Morning: Howard will be used to shunt freight wagons and create scenes in Alston yard, and (subject to confirmation) on a short section of the line near Alston

Afternoon: Travel to Slaggyford with passenger stock

Return journey: Several planned run-pasts at selected locations

With many thanks to the South Tynedale Railway. Please note this is very much a new type of event for the railway, so the format is being kept simple. If successful, further charters may be organised in future with home fleet and other visiting locomotives.

Additional information:

Attendees will need to bring their own lunch, as the café will be closed

Standard safety requirements (including high-vis) will apply