In a recent post about East Coast Main Line (ECML) capacity upgrades to enable more rail services between Newcastle and Edinburgh, such as the Northumberland Coast Loop, certain locations have already been identified by Network Rail for infrastructure changes, one of which is new loops in Pegswood area. This could have a major effect onContinue reading “Pegswood Parkway on the ECML and N.C.L.: going Sandy style the way forward?”
Category Archives: ECML
Belford and Beal Stations mentioned in North East Bylines
A recent article by North East Bylines, has mentioned the reopening of stations at Belford, and potentially Beal were referred to, alongside a new hourly rail service along the ECML between Newcastle and Berwick Upon Tweed. All three of these developments would be very much welcome, and more updates will be posted here once available.
ECML capacity enhancement options between Newcastle and Edinburgh from Network Rail
It is often said that the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between Newcastle and Edinburgh is ‘full’; running the maximum number of trains reliably and safely each day due to constraints on the capacity of the line. The position of this campaign has always been that capacity of the ECML can grow to meet theContinue reading “ECML capacity enhancement options between Newcastle and Edinburgh from Network Rail”
‘Flying Scotsman’ needs a parallel ‘Stopping Scotsman’? Cross party collaboration for better Berwick rail services and call to invest in the ECML.
Collaborative calls for a ‘Stopping Scotsman’ service at Berwick, and elsewhere in the Scottish Borders area. A Facebook post by John Lamont MP and David Smith MP has highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the neighbouring MP’s either side of the Scottish Border on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) to see the services to Berwick-Upon-TweedContinue reading “‘Flying Scotsman’ needs a parallel ‘Stopping Scotsman’? Cross party collaboration for better Berwick rail services and call to invest in the ECML.”
John Lamont MP, David Smith MP, LNER, Network Rail and local councillors meet at Berwick-upon-Tweed Station: October 2025
A recent Facebook post from John Lamont MP, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk just over the border in Scotland gave an update on a recent meeting held at Berwick Upon Tweed railway station. While Berwick station is within Northumberland, and therefore in the Consituency of David Smith MP, who represents North Northumberland, it isContinue reading “John Lamont MP, David Smith MP, LNER, Network Rail and local councillors meet at Berwick-upon-Tweed Station: October 2025”
CRAG campaign calls for better coastal connectivity via Chathill, and thoughts on wider Northumberland Coast Rail Services
On Thursday 4th September 2025, David Smith, MP for North Northumberland, Deputy Mayor Cllr Martin Gannon, and local County Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson attended a meeting organised by the Chathill Rail Action Group (CRAG) at Chathill Station to discuss the improvement of rail services to and from this underserved station on the North Northumberland Coast. AsContinue reading “CRAG campaign calls for better coastal connectivity via Chathill, and thoughts on wider Northumberland Coast Rail Services”
CRAG Meeting: Thursday 4th September at Chathill Station
The Chathill Rail Action Group (CRAG) is hosting a meeting (as outlined in the screenshot from their Facebook page below), at Chathill Station, Northumberland on Thursday 4th September. In attendance will be; David Smith, MP for North Northumberland, Deputy Mayor Cllr Martin Gannon, and local County Councilor Guy Renner-Thompson, with free buses by Borders BusesContinue reading “CRAG Meeting: Thursday 4th September at Chathill Station”
Reopening Belford Railway Station a better option than A1 Dualling in Northumberland?
Dual the A1 for £500m+? A recent article from the Northumberland Gazette has stated that Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, of the Bamburgh Ward in Northumberland is calling for the Development Consent Order (DCO) for dualling the A1 further between Morpeth and Ellingham to be retained by Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, MP. Dualling willContinue reading “Reopening Belford Railway Station a better option than A1 Dualling in Northumberland?”
Railtour in Retrospect: 1Z84 Dunbarton to Newcastle 25.8.25
‘The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Waverley Weekender‘, a railtour organised by UK Railtours, and operated by the West Coast Railway Company had a section the return leg of the trip from Dunbarton, Scotland to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England due to travel over the proposed Northumberland Coast Loop route today (Monday 25th August 2025). The original plan…Continue reading “Railtour in Retrospect: 1Z84 Dunbarton to Newcastle 25.8.25”
Nearing 900 Signatures on the N.C.L. Petition & Railtour via Bedlington News
As of late Sunday 17th August 2025, the petition to ‘Start a Newcastle – Edinburgh Rail Service via Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park‘ stands at a fantastic 898 signatures so far. This shows the continued and increasing support for the route to become established, which hopefully will come soon after the completion of stations inContinue reading “Nearing 900 Signatures on the N.C.L. Petition & Railtour via Bedlington News”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 