The ‘Big Tech’ influence on our lives can be quite an interesting one, and an article by Dan Jackson was a good example of what can be ‘pushed’ onto your screen when you happen to awake early on a Sunday morning! Whlist reading Dan Jackson’s ‘Can Big Tech save Northumberland? Don’t expect a second coal boom‘,Continue reading “Big Tech in Northumberland and Railway Rethink?”
Category Archives: Railway 200
Is rail part of the real solution for Northumberland?
As we start July, a quick update on the Northumberland Coast Loop campaign, with thoughts on the long history of rail in Northumberland, and its bearing on its future… Newcastle – Northumberland Coast Loop – Edinburgh Rail Service Petition The petition continues to do well, with 587 signatures since it’s launch in February 2025, hopefullyContinue reading “Is rail part of the real solution for Northumberland?”
The Seven Counties Rambler: Timetable Released
A quick check of realtimetrains.com has revealed the timings of the SRPS Railtour ‘The Seven Counties Rambler’, due over the Northumberland Line/Hepscott Line as working 1Z34, the 17:38 Carlisle to Linlithgow. This will be hauled, as far as is known so far by a pair of Class 37 locomotives, one of which is due toContinue reading “The Seven Counties Rambler: Timetable Released”
The Rambler Railtour: Only 50 Days To Go, and Extend Grand Central Trains to Edinburgh via Bedlington?
So in 50 day’s time, the 8th March 2025, The Seven Counties Rambler, operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, a circular tour starting early in the morning, and ending late evening at Linlithgow. On it’s long but scenic route, it will take in Edinburgh, then via Midcalder Junction, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle, Ais Gill, Hellifield,Continue reading “The Rambler Railtour: Only 50 Days To Go, and Extend Grand Central Trains to Edinburgh via Bedlington?”
Developing The Northumberland Coast Loop: Better Than Dualling The A1?
Building on this blog post that opposes further dualling of the A1 in Northumberland, could the Northumberland Coast Loop (N.C.L.) be part of the alternative investment? The premise of the N.C.L. is to provide large towns such as Blyth, and areas such as North Tyneside a direct rail link northwards, by using the existing freightContinue reading “Developing The Northumberland Coast Loop: Better Than Dualling The A1?”
New Year’s Eve 2024: #Railway416 in the Valley of the River Blyth
As part of the Railway200 series written in the December 2024 edition of The Railway Magazine, on pages 18 and 19, is a feature for Railway200 entitled ‘Coal trains, first and last?’, written by Bob Gwynne, railway author and one of the team at the National Railway Museum. Ancient Greece is where it all began.Continue reading “New Year’s Eve 2024: #Railway416 in the Valley of the River Blyth”
Merry Christmas 2024 from the Northumberland Coast Loop Campaign
I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, it has been a fantastic year for the Northumberland Coast Loop campaign. Thank you for all your support and backing our proposal for regular rail services between Newcastle and Berwick via Bedlington; it is a obvious next step after the Northumberland Line, giving greater withinContinue reading “Merry Christmas 2024 from the Northumberland Coast Loop Campaign”
‘The Seven Counties Rambler’ Railtour by the SRPS in March 2025
Way back in 2017, the ‘Bound for Craigy’ Railtour by the Branch Line Society worked a section of its quite epic trip, which starting in Kings Cross to Edinburgh over what is now being campaigned for as the Northumberland Coast Loop, which is the alternative route between Newcastle and Berwick via Bedlington. Between Newcastle and Berwick,Continue reading “‘The Seven Counties Rambler’ Railtour by the SRPS in March 2025”
Northumberland Line Expansion Plans: Newbiggin plus the N.C.L?
A recent Chronicle article announced that the soon to open Northumberland Line (between Newcastle Upon Tyne and Ashington, Northumberland), which will partially open on Sunday 15th December 2024, is already being investigated for expansion to Newbiggin By The Sea. While this is of course welcome, and would see the original ‘Newbiggin Branch’ returned to itsContinue reading “Northumberland Line Expansion Plans: Newbiggin plus the N.C.L?”
NERA: Things to see on the Northumberland Line, a FREE Guide and restating the case for the N.C.L?
The North Eastern Railway Association (NERA) has launched a free guidebook to coincide with the opening of the Northumberland Line later this month (15th December 2024). It is an excellent small publication, being 20 pages in length, but it is packed full of key information and dates, well worth downloading (and printing off if youContinue reading “NERA: Things to see on the Northumberland Line, a FREE Guide and restating the case for the N.C.L?”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 