In just a few minutes from the time of posting on Saturday 22nd August 2026, ‘The Ancient Kingdom’ railtour, operated by UK Railtours will depart from London King’s Cross towards Berwick-Upon-Tweed, calling to pick-up passengers at Potters Bar, Stevenage, Peterborough, and Doncaster, and setting down at Alnmouth for Alnwick is due to run, and fromContinue reading “The Ancient Kingdom Railtour 22nd August 2026”
Category Archives: Going By Rail
Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.
On Saturday 27th June 2026, I took a car-free day out to the excellent Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair at Lambton Park for the second year running. Part 1: Alnwick Bus Station to Alnmouth Railway Station The day started at home, with a short walk to Alnwick Bus Station in glorious sunshine, a few thingsContinue reading “Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.”
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.”
North East Bylines: Northumberland Coast Loop inferred and from coal to commuting.
An interesting article from North East Bylines ‘A tale of two branch lines’ by Mark Corner which comes very close to mentioning the Northumberland Coast Loop campaign except in name, but it is a great read and I’d wholly recommend doing so! If the original writer, or any other wishes to write about the NorthumberlandContinue reading “North East Bylines: Northumberland Coast Loop inferred and from coal to commuting.”
Christmas Eve Update 2025: Alnmouth (for Alnwick) to Blyth Bebside in just 29 mins by rail?
A quick update for Christmas Eve 2025, and a final wish of a Merry Christmas to all! Bedlington, and Northumberland Park progressing towards completion! In this article from the Chronicle ‘Work on new Northumberland Line station making ‘great progress’ ahead of opening next year‘, it has been announced by contractors Morgan Sindall that Bedlington railwayContinue reading “Christmas Eve Update 2025: Alnmouth (for Alnwick) to Blyth Bebside in just 29 mins by rail?”
Newsham and other stations vs Arriva buses?
It has been good to see the BBC News coverage recently (14.10.25) about lack of direct bus services to the new station at Newsham on the Northumberland Line, after our blog post on 2nd October titled ‘New railway station at Newsham; but no buses to it!‘. The company operating buses, Arriva (now owned by aContinue reading “Newsham and other stations vs Arriva buses?”
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”
N.C.L. in the NEPTUG Newsletter & Alnwick to Amble ‘Bus Meets Train’
The Summer 2025 issue of the NEPTUG Newsletter features a mention of the campaign for the Northumberland Coast Loop as one of the proposed expansions of the highly successful Northumberland Line. Thanks to NEPTUG for asking for a contribution towards the Newsletter and hopefully a route that can be introduced rapidly, as it is alreadyContinue reading “N.C.L. in the NEPTUG Newsletter & Alnwick to Amble ‘Bus Meets Train’”
Alnwick wins ‘Coach Friendly’ Status, & The AAA ‘Bus Meets Train’ Petition Progress at 99 Days.
A recent article in the Northumberland Gazette has mentioned that Alnwick, Northumberland has recently gained ‘Coach Friendly’ status, awarded by the Confederation of Passenger Transport. The economic benefit to Alnwick fro. road going coaches is that they bring in around 150,000 visitors to the town, with about £4.5m worth of economic value as a resultContinue reading “Alnwick wins ‘Coach Friendly’ Status, & The AAA ‘Bus Meets Train’ Petition Progress at 99 Days.”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 