To borrow the phrase often used on the ‘We have ways of making you talk’ a WW2 podcast by comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland, let us ‘walk the ground’ of Northumberland Coast Loop for the short section between Pegswood and Bedlington that, so far, is not used regularly for passenger trains.
This route does require walking on uneven ground such as field edges and over some gentle gradients, so might not be suitable for all, please make a judgement on your own capabilities before undertaking this walk. Sturdy boots are a recommendation.
SAFETY MESSAGE
STAY OFF THE RAILWAY, THIS WALKING ROUTE IS USING BRIDGES/LEVEL CROSSINGS TO EXPLAIN THE ROUTE AND WHERE IT CAN BE VIEWED FROM SAFELY. NEVER WALK ON RAILWAYS.
Morpeth Railway Station to Morpeth North Junction
To reach Morpeth North Junction, starting from Morpeth Railway Station is a very simple short walk almost parallel to the East Coast Main Line. The end destination is ‘Temples Bridge’ that carries a small farm track over the East Coast Main Line (ECML), from which is it is possible to view Morpeth North Junction.
If arriving by car, I would recommend parking in the station car parks, but if you do choose to park elsewhere, please do so considerately.
To reach it from Morpeth Station, exit the station onto Coopie’s Lane and turn left, heading approximately north east, parallel to the east coast mainline. This will take you over the level crossing at Coopies Lane (the line here heading towards Bedlington from Morpeth station). The railway junction at Morpeth station is simply called ‘Morpeth Junction’, but we are headed north to ‘Morpeth North Junction’, around a 23min walk away. Please note it is not possible to drive to this bridge over the ECML. While you may be able to park closer, please observe that access needs to be maintained to businesses, farms, and residences and so please park considerately if doing so.
Continue along Coopie’s Lane past the footpbridge over the ECML and the premises of Gott Technical Services, where you’ll need to cross the road as the footpath on the left hand side ends where it heads onto the footbridge, but continue to walk in parallel to the ECML.
Next, you’ll approach a road junction, where Coopie’s Lane continues straight ahead, with Coopie’s Way diverging to the right, stay straight ahead and remain on Coopie’s Lane and parallel to the ECML.
Keep walking along Coopie’s Lane, and you’ll reach Morpeth North level crossing over the ECML on your left, here you need to bear to your right (headed towards the red car in the image below), remaining on Coopie’s Lane.
Next up is Storage24 on the left, Coopie’s Lane continues to the right of this site and begins its first climb as it heads over the Morpeth North Curve.
Morpeth North Curve
Here we finally encounter the Morpeth North Curve, built as recently as 1980 (still very new in railway terms), which gives the direct northbound link from Bedlington onto the ECML. Today, this is mostly used by the North Blyth to Fort William ‘Alcan’ service a handful of times per week, but once was a busy route for coal traffic, as well as seeing a number of diversions around Morpeth due to rail accidents there.
Electric Future?
The above image showing a 91029 being dragged by 47773 shows the value in electrification of this line would have, as with an increasingly electric railway, overhead wires would allow electric trains to be driven over the route, rather than dragged along it. Bi-modes could do the job in the short term, but wiring, at 25kV AC is the long term future for most railways and the N.C.L. route could almost certainly justify electrification.
Towards Temples Bridge
Continue walking along Coopie’s Lane until reaching a crossroads of sorts where a few houses are dotted around. If you do take a vehicle along the route, this is about as far as you can reach by car.
The route you now need take is on your left, entering the field and following the footpath close to the hedgerow, taking you on the path to the west of the houses (the road is private shortly beyond this crossroads, and where Google maps’ Streetview ends).
Simply follow the footpath almost due north , until you reach Temples Bridge, from there, you can clearly see Morpeth North Junction where the line to Bedlington from Pegswood and the north diverges from the ECML heading eastwards, ultimately joining the Northumberland Line at Bedlington Junction.
To return to Morpeth Station, simply retrace your steps back.
If you do take this quite nice short walk, please let us know via our social media and maybe share your photos/videos too!
The Northumberland Coast Loop 