Aln Valley Railway

About the museum

The Aln Valley Railway is a volunteer-run heritage railway on the outskirts of Alnwick, close to Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden. It aims to recreate the closed Alnwick branch line that once linked the town to the East Coast Main Line at Alnmouth. The railway has carried passengers since 2013, and a footpath and cycleway run alongside the line.

The trust is working to extend the line towards Alnmouth Station, and the track is reported to be about halfway there. Until the connection is complete, trains run between Lionheart Station and Greenrigg Halt. Services are worked by steam locomotives, heritage diesels and Pacer (Class 144) railbuses, with restored carriages from the 1950s.

The station building at Lionheart houses a museum on the far platform. Funded by a bequest from the late Gordon Simpson and largely built and fitted out by volunteers, it is loosely modelled on a station at Goathland on the North York Moors Railway and is typical of rural stations of the North Eastern Railway. It shows objects from the original Alnwick branch line and information boards telling the story of the route from Alnmouth to Alnwick.

Highlights

• Steam, heritage diesel and Pacer train rides from Lionheart Station
• Restored 1950s carriages
• Museum on the Alnwick branch line with a wooden trainset for children
• Miniature railway and play area
• Buffet Stop Tea Room
• Seasonal events such as Santa’s Steam Train Adventure

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum at Lionheart Station – Objects from the original Alnwick branch line and information boards on the line from Alnmouth to Alnwick, with a wooden trainset for children.
• Rolling stock – Steam locomotives, heritage diesels, Pacer railbuses and restored 1950s carriages used on the railway.

Operated by

Aln Valley Railway Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices are train fares for the steam and diesel services; adult single £9 and return £12.50. Tickets can be bought online or at the station on the day, where availability is not guaranteed. Whether entry to the station and museum without a train ticket is free is not stated. Special events may charge a voluntary admission fee.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The railway states that almost all of its buildings and facilities are accessible, and the trains are accessible too. Space for wheelchairs can be limited at busy times, so advance booking is recommended. Assistance dogs are allowed on all event days.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

There is a play area with swings and a climbing frame behind the tea room, a miniature railway, and a wooden trainset for children in the museum. Baby changing facilities are in the toilet block. Seasonal events include Halloween weekend and Santa’s Steam Train Adventure. Children under 3 travel free.

Getting there & parking

The railway asks drivers to use the sat nav postcode NE66 2HT. Enter Lionheart Enterprise Park from the Shilbottle road, drive to the end of the park (Mole Country Store) and follow the brown tourist signs to the station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Buffet Stop Tea Room serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, bacon rolls, cakes and snacks and is open from 10:00 to 15:00. The shop is at Lionheart Station. Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are at the station; there are none on the trains.

Events & venue rental

Dining trains and driver experiences can be booked in advance; no separate venue hire is described.

Plan your visit