Author Archives: hogg1905

Call for more Chathill trains after rising passenger figures, and nearly 1000 extra passengers on the ‘Chathill Flyer’ last year?

Chathill Station has rising passenger numbers, and a great example of ‘bus meets train’ working well!  A recent article in The Northumberland Gazette ‘Campaigners call for better train service as new figures show more passengers using Chathill railway station‘ shows that stations only served by the so-called ‘Chathill Flyer’, which runs twice a day fromContinue reading “Call for more Chathill trains after rising passenger figures, and nearly 1000 extra passengers on the ‘Chathill Flyer’ last year?”

Northumberland Line: A £450m economic boost to the North East, but an easy Edinburgh link could further boost it?

A recent article in The Chronicle ‘Northumberland Line has developers ringing council’s planning department ‘off the hook’ since launch last year‘ has some interesting data contained within it, as the line approaches its first full year of operation on Monday 15th December 2025, and the millionth passenger is expected in 2026. In a presentation ‘CouncillorsContinue reading “Northumberland Line: A £450m economic boost to the North East, but an easy Edinburgh link could further boost it?”

Acklington Station: Rise in passenger numbers, but a threat of closure?

A recent article in The Northern Echo ‘Acklington among Britain’s quietest train stations in UK‘, shows that whilst still in the 50 least used stations in the UK, with just 856 entries and exits in the 2024/25 railway ticketing year, this was a major increase on the previous year, which had 550 in 2023/24. ThisContinue reading “Acklington Station: Rise in passenger numbers, but a threat of closure?”

N.C.L. Petition hits 1040!

The petition for the proposed Northumberland Coast Loop, a new rail service from Newcastle to Edinburgh via Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park has now reached 1040 signatures The Route The maps below illustrate the wider context of the rail routes through Northumberland, with the Newcastle to Berwick (and on to Edinburgh) section shown in purpleContinue reading “N.C.L. Petition hits 1040!”

Cllr Carr’s call for more carriages on the Northumberland Line – the N.C.L. solution awaits?

A post today in The Chronicle ‘Call for more matchday carriages and better parking on Northumberland Line‘ quoting Cllr Daniel Carr of Newsham rightly points to the need for more capacity on this thriving new line as it is approaching its first anniversary on the 15th December 2025. The Northumberland Line, which is, as yetContinue reading “Cllr Carr’s call for more carriages on the Northumberland Line – the N.C.L. solution awaits?”

Proposed Alnwick, Alnmouth Station and Amble ‘AAA Bus meets Train’ service – December 2025

The petition for a dedicated bus connecting the towns of Alnwick and Amble to Alnmouth Railway station currently stands at 826 signatures, can you help it reach 1000? Please click this link to view and sign the petition: https://c.org/B4RwwtHnJc An outline of the proposed route, as well as the service pattern is explained below. TheContinue reading “Proposed Alnwick, Alnmouth Station and Amble ‘AAA Bus meets Train’ service – December 2025”

Northumberland Line: First anniversary upcoming, and huge success to date!

This time in two weeks, Monday 15th December 2025 will mark the first full year since the long awaited opening of the Northumberland Line to passengers. Starting with just the two stations at Ashington, and Seaton Delaval at the outset on 15th December 2024, there are now four of the six stations open, with NewshamContinue reading “Northumberland Line: First anniversary upcoming, and huge success to date!”

Northumberland Coast Loop rail and bus campaigns: November 2025 update

As of today, the last day in November 2025, the campaigns have made significant progress so far, which are outlined briefly below. Northumberland Coast Loop Rail Service The current campaign is centred around forming a new Newcastle to Edinburgh InterCity service via Blyth, Northumberland since the petition was launched on the 13th February 2025, toContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop rail and bus campaigns: November 2025 update”

The Flying Pitman? 1028 signatures on the N.C.L. petition!

The progress of the Northumberland Coast Loop petition has been phenomenal in the last few days, with 1028 now having signed it in total, with more than 30 people in the last couple of days having supported the petition! Thank you to all who have signed the petition so far, and please feel welcome toContinue reading “The Flying Pitman? 1028 signatures on the N.C.L. petition!”