With an ultimate aim of joining coast to castle, the Aln Valley Railway is to be built along the disused trackbed that runs from Alnmouth station to Alnwick. There are several obstacles that have worked against us since the fruition of the project, but we are finally getting under way.
Now that issues with the footpath are out of the way, we are designing our new station to be built at the Lionheart Business Park in Alnwick, planning our track laying and preparing our rolling stock at our Longhoughton Goods Yard site, whilst our planning expert is progressing our planning application.
Latest News:
The Link Magazine Spring 2009
Last modified on 2009-06-29 21:24:02 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The Link Spring 2009
AVRS AGM Minutes 21.5.2009
Last modified on 2009-06-29 20:24:23 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The well-attended meeting took place at the Pottergate Centre in Alnwick on 21st May.
The Committee Report was presented by the Chairman, Kay Seymour-Walker. He congratulated the AVRS team (William Stafford, Dave Shell and Craig Owen) that had retained the ‘Flat Bottom Trophy’ in the annual quiz against the Gunnerton Railway Circle. He then reported on the repurchase of the Alnmouth cottages by the Alnwick Council and the forthcoming creation of the new car park on the down side of the main line. The Society had been well represented at events held at Shildon, Brunton, Rothbury and the Chain Bridge Honey Farm. New plans had been drawn up for the proposed Lionheart Station and were available for inspection at the Meeting. Donations of a Portakabin and a caravan to the railway were welcomed. These would, in the first instance, serve as a station building and messroom respectively. (Other matters will be referred to in the Chairman’s Report elsewhere in The Link.)
Tom Spence presented his Treasurers Report for the accounts of both the Society and the Trust. These were adopted and Mrs Catherine Sanderson was appointed as Accounts Examiner for the next year.
An election took place for the vacancies on the Committee which arose as a result of ‘on rotation’ retirements and as a result of two persons indicating that they did not wish to continue in their present posts. Those elected, or re-elected, were Neil Brison, William Stafford, Chris Freeman and Mark Hayton.
Michael Smithson, the Aln Valley Trust Secretary, then made a presentation on the relationship between the Trust and the Society, and answered various questions from the floor. There was some lively debate! He referred specifically to the problems which had arisen in drawing up the Lease with the Northumberland Estates for the trackbed and proposed station site. He invited interested parties to put their names forward as new Trustees.
Before adjourning for refreshments, the Meeting recorded its thanks to various individuals who had worked hard on behalf of the Society in connection with the Society Magazine, the Sales Stand and refreshments at Meetings.
The Link Winter 2008/9
Last modified on 2009-05-16 09:39:48 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The Link Winter 2008/9
The Link Autumn 2008
Last modified on 2008-12-05 10:09:33 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The Link Autumn 2008
New Book on Alnwick-Alnmouth Branch
Last modified on 2008-12-05 10:14:11 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Bart Rippon’s latest book will be available for Christmas 2008.
It shows his fascination with the line, where he
spent much of his early youth. Many years of
enjoyable research has culminated in a history
that revisits the old branch, commencing at
Alnmouth with its engine shed and goods yards,
and following the journey to Alnwick.
As well as personal accounts and recollections,
the book includes a selection of previously
unpublished photographs showing the several
types of steam locomotive to be found at
Alnmouth’s engine shed, the steam-hauled
passenger trains to and from Alnwick and the
railway’s infrastructure. Further details available from the ‘New Titles’ link at:
Bart’s previous book on the Amble branch is also available from this site.
The Link Summer 2008
Last modified on 2008-10-06 17:47:42 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The Link Summer 2008
Thursday 25th September - Change to indoor meeting
Last modified on 2008-12-05 10:15:06 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
CHANGE TO ADVERTISED PROGRAMME: first indoor meeting.
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Please note that the advertised speaker, Professor Alan Earnshaw, is not sufficiently well to be able to come to speak to us at our meeting on Thursday.
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Instead Gordon Hall will give a slide presentation entitled “So far, so good” and Roger Jermy will give a slide presentation entitled “Roland and Molli”.
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It is hoped that Alan Earnshaw will be fit enough to visit us next winter season (2009-10).
Preservation groups trust the Aln Valley
Last modified on 2008-08-08 00:19:06 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Two national preservation organisations have decided that the Aln Valley Railway is to be their base.
The On Track Plant Preservation Group which owns various Matissa and Permaquip vehicles has already moved most of them to the Aln Valley. The second group, the UK Alco Group which owns the 1949 built American Locomotive Company, S1 switcher 801, originally owned by Port Talbot Steel Works, is to bring 801 and hopefully some more American locomotives to the railway for restoration and operation.
