The picture below shows Class 66 (66301) hauling the regular North Blyth to Fort William ‘Alcan’ tanks (filled with Alumina at Port of Blyth and taken to the Alvance smelter near Fort William) along the Morpeth North Curve which links the Hepscott Line between Bedlington and Morpeth to the East Coast Main Line. This freightContinue reading “Little-known Line Could Boost Coastal Connectivity”
Author Archives: hogg1905
Bedlington Station Update 14th August 2024 and its place in ‘Railway 200’?
Station Updates (Northumberland Line project) A new ‘fly through’ video of Bedlington has just been released by NorthumberlandTV (YouTube Channel) which shows the final plans for Bedlington Station, and the complexity of the site between a junction at the northern end and a level crossing on the southern end. There is also an update onContinue reading “Bedlington Station Update 14th August 2024 and its place in ‘Railway 200’?”
Bedlington Station Fly Through & Railway 200
Please click here to view the Bedlington Station Fly Through video from NorthumberlandTV. Bedlington is due to open in 2025, after Northumberland Line services begin in December 2024. Hopefully Bedlington will open before September 2025, as Bedlington Ironworks played an important role in the fledgling Stockton and Darlington Railway by providing about two-thirds of the railsContinue reading “Bedlington Station Fly Through & Railway 200”
A blast from the past at Berwick Station
On the last day of my family holiday, a short trip was made to Marshall Meadows to visit the border crossing sign (a long-time personal intention finally crossed off), and also a visit to Berwick Station for the first time in many years. The photos were taken across both the Sunday and Monday at Berwick,Continue reading “A blast from the past at Berwick Station”
Northumberland Coast Loop Petition reaches 650 signatures, and a stay in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
As of 11th August 2024, the Northumberland Coast Loop petition has just reached 650 signatures since starting in October 2023. The aim of this petition is to use the Hepscott Line as one of the next expansions of the Northumberland Line beyond the soon to open Newcastle – Ashington route. This route is advantageous byContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop Petition reaches 650 signatures, and a stay in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.”
Northumberland Coast Loop YouTube Channel
The YouTube channel is now up and running, and will steadily see additional videos added in the coming weeks, please take a look and subscribe to see latest info. The first video is 66740 on the ‘Alcan’ tanks leaving Morpeth North Curve, headed for Fort William, with this freight service using the N.C.L. route betweenContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop YouTube Channel”
Northumberland Line Announcement
Please click here for the latest announcement on the Northumberland Line from the Northumberland Gazette, with key facts being: 1. December 2024 being target date for opening, with earlier date being hoped for. 2. Estimated final cost in region of £298.5m.
Hinting at the Northumberland Coast Loop back in 1992: ‘The Alternative East Coast’
This video (Railways Of The North-East in Retrospect 1961 to 1968), at 20min 35seconds in starts with a section ‘The Alternative East Coast’ The narration of the video tells us that this was a diverted Edinburgh to Kings Cross service, hauled by 43109 due to the mainline being blocked near Morpeth (due to an accidentContinue reading “Hinting at the Northumberland Coast Loop back in 1992: ‘The Alternative East Coast’”
N.C.L. Response to ‘Prime Minister urged to ‘unlock’ A1, Blyth Relief Road and Moor Farm Roundabout works, as well as expand the Northumberland Line’.
In yesterdays Northumberland Gazette, there was an article asking for newly elected PM Sir Keir Starmer to give his backing to major infrastructure projects in Northumberland. While investment in Northumberland is indeed welcomed, we need to ensure such investment is right for targets needing met, and not running contrary to others, which is where ourContinue reading “N.C.L. Response to ‘Prime Minister urged to ‘unlock’ A1, Blyth Relief Road and Moor Farm Roundabout works, as well as expand the Northumberland Line’.”
Avoidable Car Chaos on the Northumberland Coast?
While it is great to see articles such as the one below that recognise the beauty of the Northumberland Coast at places such as Beadnell and hopefully encourage more visitors, and consequent tourist spend; it could be chaotic to bring these tourists in by road, and repeating the problems experiences in places like the LakeContinue reading “Avoidable Car Chaos on the Northumberland Coast?”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 