The N.C.L. orange background to maps and other ‘branding’ is a nod to the British Railways’ North Eastern Region ‘Tangerine/Deep Orange’ (Page 9, Teasdale J.D. (2009) A History of British Railways’ North Eastern Region, NERA) and which can be seen on signage on stations such as Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), which is set in the early days of British Railways.
The North Eastern Region came into existence on the 1st January 1948, and lasted until 1st January 1967 where it was abolished.
The lighter shade of orange adopted by this campaign is to differentiate it from the former colour while still alluding to it, and is also a tongue in cheek reference to a now defunct mobile phone company and their famous advertising slogan.
This refers to the potentially bright future ahead of this route; one which could make totally new connections for passenger services that are only possible with the Northumberland Line stations being reopened, but also the 1980 addition of the Morpeth North Curve to the rail network allowing direct access to/from North Northumberland for services rather than reversal in Morpeth Station.
The Northumberland Coast Loop 