Category Archives: Railfreight

A1 Safety Campaign: Modal shift onto the ECML being overlooked for transporting people and goods in near perfect safety?

Following a spate of recent serious incidents on the A1 in Northumberland, a new safety campaign called ‘NASA’ (Northumberland A1 Safety Alliance) has formed. While making the A1 safer is undoubtedly an admirable and much needed aim for everyone, is using the parallel ECML being overlooked as an option to reduce traffic on the A1Continue reading “A1 Safety Campaign: Modal shift onto the ECML being overlooked for transporting people and goods in near perfect safety?”

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 at 12,000 passengers already, Northumberland Line tops 800,000 trips, Newbiggin extension plans, and thoughts on Moor Farm roundabout

The past week has had a number of significant news announcements, and with a number of links between them, it is perhaps the right time to address them together. Blyth Bebside station is blossoming; and is boosting overall numbers for the Northumberland Line towards a million passengers! There has been more great news on theContinue reading “Blyth Bebside at 12,000 passengers already, Northumberland Line tops 800,000 trips, Newbiggin extension plans, and thoughts on Moor Farm roundabout”

Fifty Million Miles and more from Blyth to Fort William, a Fond Farewell to the Faithful Four-Wheeled PCA’s

For 37 years (1988-2025) the humble four wheeled PCA waggons have taken alumina (a powder created from Bauxite ore) from the Port of Blyth terminal to the smelter in Fort William, Scotland (and also whilst open, the smelter at Lynemouth). Somewhat famously, these waggons were for a short time hauled by Deltic 55022 ‘Royal ScotsContinue reading “Fifty Million Miles and more from Blyth to Fort William, a Fond Farewell to the Faithful Four-Wheeled PCA’s”