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The Alnwick Branch

by Bartle Rippon

The historic town of Alnwick sits almost midway between Newcastle and Berwick in the county of Northumberland.  Although close to the east coast main line, it was served by a branch line for nearly 120 years.  Along with its famous castle and gardens, Alnwick boasted a majestic trainshed, all the more remarkable for being on a mere branch line.

The short, double-track line from Alnwick joined the main line at Alnmouth station, and had a passenger service that was steam-hauled for almost its entire life, with the exception of approximately the final six months. The fascination of the author with the line, where he spent much of his early youth, and 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As well as personal accounts and recollections, the book includes a selection of previously unpublished photographs showing the several types of steam locomotive to be found at Alnmouth's engine shed, the steam-hauled passenger trains to and from Alnwick, and the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.

This is a fascinating follow-up to the author’s previous book, The Amble Branch, copies of which are still available.

Softback: 80 pages with over 100 photographs and drawings
273 x 215mm

ISBN: 978-1-905505-11-1
Price: £12.95