Steam and Chivalry: A Time Travelling Adventure along the Aln Valley Railway to the Alnwick Joust
Travelling by steam on the Aln Valley Railway, Northumberland, one hears older passengers enjoying a day out talking about as to how the carriages with compartments, luggage racks with netting as well as the distinctive trickety-trock of the old carriages and the chuffing sound of the steam locomotive takes one back. Meanwhile, entering an encampment of tents at nearby Alnwick Castle where an apothecary is demonstrating medieval medicine, a fletcher is making arrows for the longbow master and knights in armour are being readied for combat in a jousting competition, one feels like they have just stepped out of a time machine back to the 15th century. Enjoying both experiences during a day out, as well as seeing how the past is with us in the present, the optimist in me also saw some exciting future potential. No. 9 'Richboro', approaching Lionheart station Originally opened in 1850, the original Aln Valley branch line ran from Alnwick to Alnmouth until its closure in 1968