Engine driver Kenny Middlemist rolled back the years as he edged his locomotive across a Northumberland railway viaduct.
He was driving the first steam hauled train to cross Cawledge Viaduct since the Alnwick branch line closed to steam-hauled passenger trains in 1966.
The event was a significant milestone in the progress of the Aln Valley Railway project, which aims to re-establish the line between Alnwick and Alnmouth.
As well as providing a heritage attraction to boost tourism, the project - managed by the Aln Valley Railway Trust - also aims to develop the railway corridor as a sustainable transport link, and as a recreational and educational resource for the local community and visitors to the area.
Kenny Middlemist is the last footplateman from the days of steam on the Alnwick line and, like his father before him, was based at the locomotive shed at Alnmouth.
He was the fireman on the trains on the last day of the steam train service on the Alnwick line in 1966.
On that day 53 years ago, Kenny was a member of the locomotive crew on K1 62011, which worked the morning shift. The Alnwick to Alnmouth line saw the final steam-hauled passenger trains on a branch line in the North East.
Kenny now lives at Hipsburn in Northumberland and is a volunteer driver on the Aln Valley Railway.
Following the successful passing of its boiler test, an opportunity was taken to use the 102-year-old locomotive Richboro on a works and inspection train run over the full length of the Aln Valley Railway’s line between Lionheart station, near Alnwick, and the approaches to the site of a future halt at Greenrigg.
This involved the train crossing the seven spans of the 135-yard long Cawledge viaduct, which Kenny described as being a “very emotional” occasion as Richboro, pulling a single coach, steamed cautiously over the recently-laid rails to the current limit of the line.
The train was used to test the ride of the carriage, which has had one of its bogies recently refurbished, over the newly extended rails towards Greenrigg.
Due to the construction of the A1 bypass which cut the original trackbed on the outskirts of Alnwick, and the costs associated with building an over bridge, a new station is being developed on a site adjacent to the Lionheart Enterprise Park.
The plan is for heritage steam and diesel locomotives to haul trains of up to four coaches between the two locations. A cycle path will run alongside the length of the railway line, linking up with the National Cycle Network at Alnmouth.
Once the line is complete and with infrastructure in place, it would be possible to timetable services to link with main line passenger trains.
A feasibility survey has shown the railway would break even with 10,000 passengers per year. With the popular attractions of Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Castle and Barter Books nearby, there are hopes that the Aln Valley Railway Project could be a significant asset to the local economy.
The railway welcomes donations towards its Sleeper Appeal to finance the last few yards of track to Greenrigg. Donations can be sent to Neil Brison, Retail Manager, Aln Valley Railway, Lionheart Station, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick NE66 2EZ.
