We welcome families at South Tynedale Railway and have gathered information on this page which we hope will be useful for you before you travel.
Ticket Information
We recommend that you pre-book your tickets online. These tickets are Rover tickets for return travel from Alston to Slaggyford, however you can travel all day if you wish.
One Way Tickets and Station Hoppers
One way tickets and station hopper tickets are only available to purchase from the ticket office at Alston on the day of travel. For one way journeys or for station hopper journeys which include boarding or alighting at Kirkhaugh or Lintley, please purchase your ticket on the day of travel from the booking office at Alston or the Little Buffet Car at Slaggyford. All journeys from Slaggyford should be bought on the day from the Little Buffet Car at Slaggyford station.
Price per adult (aged 18+)
Price per child (aged 3-17)
Price per infant (under 3)
Price per dog
Rover Tickets
Buy one ticket and travel all day! All tickets purchased online are Rover tickets which are valid for return journeys from Alston to Slaggyford, but also allow you to travel all day if you wish.
These tickets are also available from the ticket office on the day of travel, however, it’s always best to book ahead as some services do get very busy.
Price per adult (aged 18+)
Price per child (aged 3-17)
Price per infant (under 3)
Price per dog
Registered Carers
Please buy your tickets from the ticket office on the day of travel and bring proof of your registration to receive a 50% discount. Please let us know if you require space for a child’s wheelchair by emailing enquiries@south-tynedale-railway.org.uk
STRPS Members, HRA members and Rail Riders Club
Please buy your tickets from the ticket office on the day of travel, if a service is fully booked you may have to travel on an alternative service but we will always do our best to accommodate you.
Travel from Slaggyford
Please purchase all tickets for travel from Slaggyford from The Little Buffet Car at the end of the platform at Slaggyford station.
If the Buffet Car is closed please speak with the Guard and pay for your travel at Alston
The Crossing Cafe
Marie and Steve run Wooly’s at the Crossing Cafe along with a small team of dedicated staff and offer traditional homemade hot and cold food all made to order and a range of homemade cakes. There is also a range of hot and cold beverages.
The cafe is dog friendly.
The cafe is currently open Tuesday to Sunday 9a.m to 5p.m.
Please Note: For all table bookings and catering requests please contact Marie by emailing woolyscafe@hotmail.com
The Little Buffet Car
The Little Buffet Car at Slaggyford station is open when trains are running.
Operating timetable and booking system
| ALSTON DEPART | 10:30 | 13:00 | 15:00 |
| KIRKHAUGH* | 10:45 | 13:15 | 15:15 |
| LINTLEY* | 10:53 | 13:23 | 15:23 |
| SLAGGYFORD ARRIVE | 11:05 | 13:35 | 15:35 |
| SLAGGYFORD DEPART | 11:30 | 14:00 | 16:00 |
| LINTLEY* | 11:40 | 14:10 | 16:10 |
| KIRKHAUGH* | 11:48 | 14:18 | 16:18 |
| ALSTON ARRIVE | 12:05 | 14:35 | 16:35 |
*Please note trains will not be stopping at Kirkhaugh or Lintley this season, both are request stops so please let the guard know when you board the train that you wish to alight at a request stop. To board at either Kirkhaugh or Lintley please raise your hands to signal to the driver that you wish to board.
All journeys are for travel from Alston to Slaggyford and return.
We have large car parks at Alston and Slaggyford with ramps to the platforms, station buildings, (with the exception of the signal boxes) are fully accessible and there are baby change facilities at both stations. Staff will be very happy to help you with your buggies and prams and if a member of your party has access needs we haul an accessible coach on every journey. Please note the car park at Slaggyford is unsuitable for large coaches as the access road is very narrow. To read more about accessibility please click here.
The HUB museum, run by Alston Goods Shed Trust is well worth a visit. It is run by a team of volunteers and is open as and when volunteers are available. There is a small entrance charge. Phone 01434 381609 or check their facebook page for more details.
Alston town centre with its cobbled street, narrow alleys and quaint shops is worth exploring and is just a short walk from the station. Please be aware that Alston is the highest market town in England and the hill leading up to the Market Cross is steep!