Category Archives: ECML

‘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”

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?”

Alnwick, Northumberland: Transport Survey June 2026

Questions for all! What do you want to see from public transport in Northumberland? Which rail and bus routes would you like? Would you like to see buses running earlier and later in the day, possibly even night buses? Have you got any suggestions you’d like to put forward? Please leave a comment below withContinue reading “Alnwick, Northumberland: Transport Survey June 2026”

2026: The time for the ECML to do more for transport to, from, within, and through Northumberland alongside the A1?

In recent news, it has been revealed that in 2025, around eleven million tourists visited Northumberland, a new record, and the A1 has been stated to be a ‘key problem’, but does this overlook the role the ECML, other rail links and buses could be playing to reduce this key problem and enable more sustainableContinue reading “2026: The time for the ECML to do more for transport to, from, within, and through Northumberland alongside the A1?”

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?”