Author Archives: hogg1905

FREE things to see and do in Alnwick, Northumberland

A few ideas of FREE things to do around Alnwick, Northumberland in 2026. Alnwick Pastures: A free scenic walk along the River Aln from the Lion Bridge, near to Alnwick Castle, running alongside the river heading downstream to Denwick Bridge, near The Alnwick Garden. Please be aware to have sturdy trainers/boots/wellies as can be aContinue reading “FREE things to see and do in Alnwick, Northumberland”

Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS) and the Northumberland Coast Loop (N.C.L.): Blyth Bebside to Edinburgh in 90-105 minutes by rail?

On Tuesday 19th May 2026, Northumberland County Council officially launched the ‘Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS)‘, located in and around Cambois, Northumberland. Quoting directly from the Business Northumberland blog page ‘…The site builds upon recent successes including the £10bn Blackstone QTS Data Centre Campus and JDR Cables £130m new advance[d] manufacturing development at the adjacentContinue reading “Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS) and the Northumberland Coast Loop (N.C.L.): Blyth Bebside to Edinburgh in 90-105 minutes by rail?”

Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG June 2026 Meeting in Morpeth

The Northumberland Branch of North East Public Transport User Group (NEPTUG), formed in March 2026 exists to promote integrated bus and rail transport across Northumberland, as well as promoting active travel (walking, cycling etc) routes too. Membership is FREE to everyone, with online meetings during the Autumn, Winter and early Spring, and our first in-personContinue reading “Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG June 2026 Meeting in Morpeth”

Blyth Bebside to Berwick-Upon-Tweed in just 50 MINUTES by rail: c.40 mins faster than going via Newcastle or Morpeth.

The Northumberland Line now complete, with all six stations now open and bustling, it is time to really set the sights on the next steps for the line, and in my view, it should be to make use of the existing connection from Bedlington headed west, not only to Morpeth, as put forward by SENRUG,Continue reading “Blyth Bebside to Berwick-Upon-Tweed in just 50 MINUTES by rail: c.40 mins faster than going via Newcastle or Morpeth.”

Keswick’s ‘Virtual’ Station: A lesson in bus & rail integration for Alnwick and beyond?

A very interesting trial of a ‘virtual railway station’ in Keswick, Cumbria, UK has shown some FANTASTIC results in the past two years that it has run during the summer seasons of 2024 and 2025, and now is being introduced from 27th April 2026 as a year-round service. As part of the newly formed NorthumberlandContinue reading “Keswick’s ‘Virtual’ Station: A lesson in bus & rail integration for Alnwick and beyond?”

Peak over the ECML (Linlithgow to Keithley via Newcastle)

On Wednesday 17th June, the SRPS is operating a one-way special train over the ECML behind 45118 ‘The Royal Artilleryman’ for its attendance at the KWVR Diesel Gala that weekend.  To book tickets, please visit the SRPS website here: https://srpsrailtours.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/77003?catID=72311&fbclid=IwT01FWAROs-JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6pgodboUo8JKLHJbVHSAWDO5jvdOJMin-wPJcA4Pfd-HiylWl0VH7YHYNhAA_aem_o0Hl1_0YnyZUNHWCNI7PRQ

Mini Switzerland for Northumberland?

A very interesting video from transport campaigner and rail engineer Gareth Dennis  on the ‘Mini Switzerland’ trial in the Hope Valley, UK. Much of the same lessons can be applied to Northumberland, using existing railway stations and buses, but operating them as a cohesive, intergrated system and not as a bus system that is separateContinue reading “Mini Switzerland for Northumberland?”

Green Signals episode 131: Integrated public transport and Northumberland Line extra carriages

Some interesting items in this weeks Green signals episode (No. 131), with comments on the new Integrated Transport Strategy, as well as new carriages for the Northumberland Line. Please watch the video below for more! Thoughts on this will be shared in a later blog post.