All aboard for a anniversary weekend at Aln Valley Railway

The Mayor of Alnwick was delighted to join the volunteers at Aln Valley Railway (AVR) today as they marked a historic weekend – the sixtieth anniversary of the last steam-hauled passenger train travelling on the Alnwick to Alnmouth branch line.

Councillor Geoff Watson joined AVR visitors on one of the trains running between Lionheart Station and Greenrigg Halt saying “As an ex-railway man myself I have thoroughly enjoyed travelling on the steam trains today – especially in the stylish North Eastern Railway’s directors coach which the volunteers here have lovingly restored.

He then joined volunteers cutting a spectacular celebration cake which featured a photograph of the last passenger steam train leaving Alnwick. Geoff added “Today’s celebrations have honoured those who worked on the railway, those who travelled on it and those who are now devoting their time preserving it for the future.”