0-6-2ST "Barber" leads the first train into Slaggyford to the sound of a pipe band - 24 Jul 2017 Dave Hewitt.

More than four decades after it closed to passengers, a train has run into Slaggyford station on Cumbria's Alston branch again.
 
The 2 foot gauge South Tynedale Railway celebrated the accomplishment of a major goal on the morning of Monday, 24 Jul 2017, when it opened its 1 1/4 mile northern extension from Lintley.
 
The extension was opened by musician Kathryn Tickell OBE in her capacity as a deputy lieutenant of Northumberland, and is now being seen as a precursor to a proposed £30 million extension of the line back to Haltwhistle.
 
Although there is still trackwork at Slaggyford to complete, including a run-round loop and sidings, she toured the station facilities including a restored wooden building at a private ceremony attended by specially-invited guests.
 
The station building has been repainted in its original Newcastle & Carlisle Railway livery, and its platform has been reinstated.
 
A toilet block with solar panels has been built along with a replica signalbox.
 
The opening train was hauled in top-and-tail mode by Thomas Green 1908 built 0-6-2ST "Barber" and Peckett 1944 built 0-6-0ST "Harrogate" and was greeted by a pipe band on its arrival at Slaggyford.
 
It was Slaggyford's first passenger train since BR closed the 13 mile then standard gauge branch from Haltwhistle on 1 May 1976, when 5,000 people rode on the last train, and its first steam-hauled service since a special travelled the line 50 years ago in 1967.
 
Nigel Devereux.