The Alston Line was a single-track branch line, which linked Haltwhistle in Northumberland with Alston in Cumbria. The line was constructed in the early 1850s by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, opening in stages. Construction of the line was completed in November 1852, following the opening of Lambley Viaduct. Since the line's closure, a section of the line has since reopened in stages between Slaggyford and Alston, with heritage services operated by the South Tynedale Railway. History The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was formed in 1829, opening to passengers in stages from March 1835. A branch line from Haltwhistle to Alston and Nenthead was first considered in 1841, with the line authorised by an Act of Parliament in August 1846. It was later decided that a line operating as far as Alston was sufficient, with the amended route approved by a further Act in July 1849. In March 1851, the 4½-mile section from Haltwhistle to Shaft Hill (which was later renamed Coanwood) was opened to goods traffic, with passenger services commencing in July 1851. The 8¼-mile section of the line between Alston and Lambley opened to goods traffic in January 1852, along with a short branch to Lambley Fell, with passenger services commencing in May 1852. Construction of the branch line was completed in November 1852, following the opening of the, now Grade II* listed, Lambley Viaduct over the River South Tyne. Route The line ran from a bay platform at Haltwhistle, where it met with the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway. From Haltwhistle, the line diverged south towards the Alston Arches Viaduct over the River South Tyne. The impressive stone structure, designed by Sir George Barclay Bruce, is now Grade II listed. Between Haltwhistle and Featherstone Park, there were two unadvertised calling points, at Park Village and Plenmeller Halt. A platform was extant at Plenmeller Halt from the early 1920s until the late 1940s, however trains regularly stopped to allow passengers to board and alight long after the halt's official closure. No such facilities existed at Park Village. From Plenmeller Halt, the line climbed at a gradient of 1 in 70 to Featherstone Park. At this point, the line passed close to the Grade I listed Featherstone Castle. At Coanwood, the line was 4 miles from the junction station at Haltwhistle. Before serving Lambley, where the line met the Brampton Railway until 1953, the line crossed the imposing Lambley Viaduct.