The North East Public Transport User Group (NEPTUG) is calling for support for the public control of bus services in the North East of England, mirroring the excellent services in London and Manchester. We ask you to SUPPORT this as much as you can! Please visit betterbusesne.org.uk for more info!
Author Archives: hogg1905
‘The Tynesider’ Railtour 2026: ‘Tangmere’ on the Bedlington Balloon Loop. West from Bedlington before the Newbiggin extension?
On Saturday 4th July 2026, ‘The Tynesider’ railtour, operated by The Railway Touring Company and West Coast Railways, ran north from London to Newcastle; with the train continuing to Morpeth to take advantage of the ‘balloon loop’ formed by the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and the former Blyth and Tyne lines to turn theContinue reading “‘The Tynesider’ Railtour 2026: ‘Tangmere’ on the Bedlington Balloon Loop. West from Bedlington before the Newbiggin extension?”
Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG Meeting: 1st July 2026
Another great meeting of the Northumberland Branch tonight, with much discussion on buses, rail services (ECML, Northumberland Line, and Tyne Valley Line), and also of cycling integration with rail too. Membership is FREE, with the chance to have a real say in better buses, trains, and more! Why not sign up now? We aim toContinue reading “Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG Meeting: 1st July 2026”
Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.
On Saturday 27th June 2026, I took a car-free day out to the excellent Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair at Lambton Park for the second year running. Part 1: Alnwick Bus Station to Alnmouth Railway Station The day started at home, with a short walk to Alnwick Bus Station in glorious sunshine, a few thingsContinue reading “Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.”
Car dependent tourism a risk of ruining Northumberland?
A recent article from The Northern Echo sets our the case for a visit to Craster ‘beating’ Bamburgh, though both are listed as beautiful settings on the Northumberland Coast. However, the reason behind Bamburgh being beaten is perhaps a warning sign of what Northumberland risks; if we depend on car based tourism like the LakeContinue reading “Car dependent tourism a risk of ruining Northumberland?”
Ian Lavery MP calls for the Newbiggin extension; can the Northumberland Coast Loop come soon too?
A recent article in The Chronicle details Ian Lavery MP, asking for a debate on the expansion of the hugely popular Northumberland Line from Ashington to Newbiggin by the Sea. In the article, it quotes Mr Lavery MP with one and a half million journeys having been taken on the line since it opened onContinue reading “Ian Lavery MP calls for the Newbiggin extension; can the Northumberland Coast Loop come soon too?”
New Travel North East website
A new Travel North East website has been launched at travelnortheast.uk/ which is a major step forward in integration between Buses, Rail, Ferry, and Metro. #KeepItCalvert A great asset of the ‘branding’ of this new website is the use of the ‘Calvert’ style, named after the famous graphic designer Margaret Calvert who designed it inContinue reading “New Travel North East website”
Cllr Hunter, why not Berwick to Blyth by rail, not road for young people to access education, training, and employment?
A recent article by Cllr Hunter of Berwick, who also owns a road haulage business called DHH Contracts, has joined many of the voices calling for dualling the A1. In the article, she says that the lack of dual carriageway leads to vehicles being delayed, increasing costs such as driver hours and fuel, especially ifContinue reading “Cllr Hunter, why not Berwick to Blyth by rail, not road for young people to access education, training, and employment?”
A1 Safety Campaign: Modal shift onto the ECML being overlooked for transporting people and goods in near perfect safety?
Following a spate of recent serious incidents on the A1 in Northumberland, a new safety campaign called ‘NASA’ (Northumberland A1 Safety Alliance) has formed. While making the A1 safer is undoubtedly an admirable and much needed aim for everyone, is using the parallel ECML being overlooked as an option to reduce traffic on the A1Continue reading “A1 Safety Campaign: Modal shift onto the ECML being overlooked for transporting people and goods in near perfect safety?”
Heatherslaw Corn Mill: FREE ENTRY to celebrate 50 years as a working museum and go there by train and bus?
The excellent Heatherslaw Corn Mill on Ford and Etal Estates, nearby to the equally great Heatherslaw Light Railway is offering FREE ADMISSION during June, July, and August 2026, as outlined in this article from The Chronicle Go by train and bus? To attend the museum without needing a car, it is easy to reach Heatherslaw CornContinue reading “Heatherslaw Corn Mill: FREE ENTRY to celebrate 50 years as a working museum and go there by train and bus?”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 