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?”
Tag Archives: Bedlington
Little-known Line Could Boost Coastal Connectivity
The picture below shows Class 66 (66301) hauling the regular North Blyth to Fort William ‘Alcan’ tanks (filled with Alumina at Port of Blyth and taken to the Alvance smelter near Fort William) along the Morpeth North Curve which links the Hepscott Line between Bedlington and Morpeth to the East Coast Main Line. This freightContinue reading “Little-known Line Could Boost Coastal Connectivity”
Hinting at the Northumberland Coast Loop back in 1992: ‘The Alternative East Coast’
This video (Railways Of The North-East in Retrospect 1961 to 1968), at 20min 35seconds in starts with a section ‘The Alternative East Coast’ The narration of the video tells us that this was a diverted Edinburgh to Kings Cross service, hauled by 43109 due to the mainline being blocked near Morpeth (due to an accidentContinue reading “Hinting at the Northumberland Coast Loop back in 1992: ‘The Alternative East Coast’”
Northumberland Coast Loop: Ashington
As can be seen from the route map below, the Northumberland Coast Loop wouldn’t directly serve Ashington, with it being on a branch from the main route between Newcastle and Berwick. This is perhaps most clearly seen on the geographical map from Rail Map Online below, where after leaving the main route at Bedlington, theContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop: Ashington”
Northumberland Coast Loop – The Business Case
The Northumberland Coast Loop is a proposal to see a range of services introduced on the alternative through route between Newcastle Upon Tyne and Berwick Upon Tweed (and destinations beyond) via Bedlington. East Coast Main Line (Existing Services) As of February 2024, the East Coast Main Line (ECML) is the only passenger carrying line alongContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop – The Business Case”
The Northumberland Coast Loop through South East Northumberland and North Tyneside.
The map above shows the route of the proposed Northumberland Coast Loop through South East Northumberland, which shares a common route with the Northumberland Line between Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Bedlington, Northumberland. It then heads westwards and rejoins the East Coast Main Line (ECML) near Pegswood and Morpeth, allowing access towards North Northumberland and Edinburgh. While thisContinue reading “The Northumberland Coast Loop through South East Northumberland and North Tyneside.”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 