society did eventually succeed in buying part of the line, with a narrow-gauge railway opened on the former alignment of the line between Alston and Gilderdale in 1983. The line has since been extended across the border into Northumberland, and now operates along a section of the former Alston Line from Alston to Slaggyford. The line was opened in stages, reaching Gilderdale in December 1986, Kirkhaugh in September 1999, Lintley Halt in April 2012, and Slaggyford in June 2018. It is the eventual aim of the South Tynedale Railway for the narrow-gauge railway to serve the length of the former Alston Line, restoring the rail link between Haltwhistle and Alston. However, the track bed has been severed at two points near to the junction at Haltwhistle, by the A69 Haltwhistle Bypass and the removal of a former bridge on a minor road nearby. The South Tynedale Railway regularly runs a steam service, using a pair of German-built Henschel engines, named Helen Kathryn and Thomas Edmondson. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, services are not running for the 2020 season (as of November 2020). See also Brampton Railway Newcastle and Carlisle Railway South Tynedale Railway References Sources External links Rail transport in Northumberland Rail transport in Cumbria Railway lines opened in 1852 1852 establishments in England Railway lines closed in 1976 1976 disestablishments in England