The station yard at South Tynedale Railway can be used as an overnight stopover. The gates close and locked at 5pm and open at 9am.
No facilities during closing time, toilets open at 9am and a smashing cafe on the platform. Very quiet overnight.
Alston town has pubs, cafes and a fish & chip shop, quaint old town with a steep cobbled street. Oliver Twist was filmed there.
There is another carpark at Slaggyford station CA8 3NH located 5 miles further along the track which is accessible (no locked gates)
This is a new venture for the railway, they are encouraging moho to visits, enjoy the scenery and maybe take a trip on the train.