Join us today and help rebuild a railway

Annual membership of our Society is available to persons of all ages. Even if you do not intend to participate as a hands-on volunteer, literary and moral support is welcome. Subscription prices are: Ordinary £10; Junior £6 & Family £12.

Gift-aiding your subscription will ensure more cash reaches our funds and at no additional cost to you. Why not explore this option on the form.

For help on membership matters, contact Chris Freeman on 01665 720182 or e-mail him at: membership (at) avrs.co.uk

For help on gift aid matters, contact Tom Spence on 01665 572028 or e-mail him at: Tom (at) redview.co.uk

BACKGROUND

The branch from Alnwick to Alnmouth closed in 1968. It has been said that the figures used to 'prove' the branch unprofitable and force its closure were biased ? an all too common occurrence in those days of Dr Beaching's railway cuts. These figures included such tactics as relaying part of the line to increase the branch 'costs' and restricting the branch revenue to the Alnwick?Alnmouth portion of any ticket bought to reduce the 'income' (irrespective of whether that ticket was bought for Newcastle, London or wherever). In fact, a strong case can be made that the branch was economically viable even in those days.
Be that as it may, times have changed. The upsurge of tourism within Northumberland, together with the proven viability of other preserved railways throughout Britain, means that the rebuilding of the Alnwick-Alnmouth branch would create a tourist attraction of great potential, as well as an amenity that would benefit both the town and the district. THE PROJECT
The aim is to rebuild the railway from Alnmouth to Alnwick (using the existing track?bed) and to operate it as a Light Railway under the auspices of a Limited Company, supported by the Aln Valley Railway Society.
As preservation railway projects go, rebuilding a 4 mile line is not that huge. (The Festiniog Railway in Wales, for example, is currently starting a 21 mile extension.) Nevertheless, it will take a lot of finance, skill, and help to turn the idea into reality.
However, the basic criteria in place are so favourable (in fact, criteria most tourist railways would kill for!) that a feasible plan should be possible:
1. At one end, a main line connection, with popular seaside resort nearby; at the other end, a bustling market town with a major tourist attraction (Alnwick Castle).
2. Ideal preservation line length of under 4 miles. (Longer lines sometimes have difficulty making the revenue chargeable equal the operating costs. This is because most people on a day out will happily part with a few pounds for a short trip, but balk at f 10 or f 15 for a longer trip, even though the value per mile is the same.)
3. A healthy utilitarian potential, i.e. local people could actually USE the railway to make London or Edinburgh connections.
In addition to the above criteria, there is one other factor that would be of great benefit to the town: the railway station is at one end of the town, the castle is at the other. This would force all rail?borne visitors through the town, which helps the general spread of prosperity.
There is no major tourist railway in the country which attracts leas than 100,000 visitors per year (North Yorks Moors Railway, 150,000; Severn Valley, 240,000, etc.) so action now could create an interesting and exciting attraction that could secure the future for Alnwick, Alnmouth and the surrounding area for many years to come.
But making the railway happen will not be easy. Railways are expensive to build, operate and maintain ? even with volunteer assistance and support. Main funding will come from many sources, including EEC grants and Millennia or Lottery grants. But private funding and support, in the form of membership, sponsorship, and commercial input will be vital.