Northumberland Line reopening: progress updates

[Willie Bee]

Northern have an a full morning peak of test trains this morning. I have been watching the progress on signalmaps.co.uk and everything seems to have run OK so far but the timings around Benton Junction seem very tight as are the turnarounds at Ashington. Could really do with a relief line between Heaton North and Benton North

I had never heard of signalmaps.co.uk, so thanks for that. I know there are other similar sites, but nice to see something new

 

[androdas]

I had never heard of signalmaps.co.uk, so thanks for that. I know there are other similar sites, but nice to see something new

I personally find the layout a bit easier to use on than traksy, opentraintimes etc the only thing is the coverage is not comprehensive seems to be mainly around the east side of the country.

 

[takno]

I had never heard of signalmaps.co.uk, so thanks for that. I know there are other similar sites, but nice to see something new

Traksy has the Northumberland line mapped as well, so it depends on what you prefer.

Signalmaps has been around for a while, although their coverage is slowly expanding. If you are looking at a single line on a computer rather than a phone it does tend to fit more on a single screen which some people really like, although I've always struggled a bit with reading across diagrams in that format. In practice I always use Traksy, but then I did develop it.

 

[A S Leib]

Why is Ashington's code ASL rather than e.g. AST? I know that other stations have seemingly counterintuitive codes and that it can't be ASH (Ash), ASI (apparently in use for the international portion of Ashford alongside AFK), ASN (Addlestone) or ASG (Alsager), and that it ultimately doesn't matter much as long as those who need to know it do so, but it seems a bit odd.

 

[takno]

Why is Ashington's code ASL rather than e.g. AST? I know that other stations have seemingly counterintuitive codes and that it can't be ASH (Ash), ASI (apparently in use for the international portion of Ashford alongside AFK), ASN (Addlestone) or ASG (Alsager), and that it ultimately doesn't matter much as long as those who need to know it do so, but it seems a bit odd.

AST is Aston

 

[A S Leib]

AST is Aston

And ASB is Ardrossan South Beach, ASC is Ashchurch, ASD is Ashley Down, ASF is Ashfield, ASG is Alsager, ASK is Askam and ASA, ASE and ASJ aren't any more logical than ASL.

 

[Willie Bee]

In practice I always use Traksy, but then I did develop it.

It's certainly very good .. I have that too .. maybe you could enlarge the slider bar at the bottom of the screen .. it's tiny

 

[androdas]

Part of my job I'm the late 90s and early 2000s was issuing (hand written) rail warrants for job seekers going to interviews all around the country so had to get very familiar with CRS codes. Plus there was no such thing as the NRE website back then so every warrant involved a call to the rail enquiries line to make sure I had the right routing etc. did a lot of warrants from NCL to ABD and DCE for those heading to oilriggs.

Back on topic of the Northumberland line it seems Northern are gradually ramping up services this week and running the full service on Thursday of test trains.

 

[Snex]

Why is Ashington's code ASL rather than e.g. AST? I know that other stations have seemingly counterintuitive codes and that it can't be ASH (Ash), ASI (apparently in use for the international portion of Ashford alongside AFK), ASN (Addlestone) or ASG (Alsager), and that it ultimately doesn't matter much as long as those who need to know it do so, but it seems a bit odd.

Seaton Delaval's (SEJ) is worse imo, don't know where that's come from. SDV would've been a much better code and it's available aswell.

 

[59CosG95]

Seaton Delaval's (SEJ) is worse imo, don't know where that's come from. SDV would've been a much better code and it's available aswell.

Probably as a reference to Seghill Junction, which used to be nearby.

 

[Snex]

Probably as a reference to Seghill Junction, which used to be nearby.

Good shout that actually. Seems a strange one otherwise.

 

[swt_passenger]

Good shout that actually. Seems a strange one otherwise.

There was also a junction at Seaton Delaval, at the main road bridge just north of the station, it was mentioned in this thread back in 2022; post #499 and replies.

 

[androdas]

Opening ceremony held today at Ashington by Heidi Alexander with all the great and good from local politics. Short video including an interview with the local MP Ian Lavery has been posted by the chronicle:

BBC News article on the opening Ceremony: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4z1grpr12o

A railway line closed for more than 60 years has been officially reopened following delays.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness were among those on a special service to mark the return of passenger trains to the Northumberland Line.

The train was greeted with bunting and a welcoming party of local schoolchildren as it pulled into Ashington at the end of its journey from Newcastle.

Regular passenger services will run on the line from Sunday, after a £298m project to bring it back into use.

 

[OLJR]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but Nexus has a new map showing the Northumberland Line and new fare zone D. See it here.

 

[swt_passenger]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but Nexus has a new map showing the Northumberland Line and new fare zone D. See it here.

It had been mentioned in this thread a week or so back, having appeared on X/Twitter, but I think the relevant posts have been moved to the new thread in the fares forum.

 

[Cowley]

It had been mentioned in this thread a week or so back, having appeared on X/Twitter, but I think the relevant posts have been moved to the new thread in the fares forum.

Yep. That’s all here now:

Northumberland Line fares (including impact on Tyne & Wear Metro maximum fares)

Someone might know but does anyone know if the North East Transport tickets are valid? They're currently usable on the trains between Sunderland and Blaydon so would seem a bit of an own goal to exclude them since they'd allow interchange with buses to the stations.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[59CosG95]

Opening ceremony held today at Ashington by Heidi Alexander with all the great and good from local politics. Short video including an interview with the local MP Ian Lavery has been posted by the chronicle:

BBC News article on the opening Ceremony: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4z1grpr12o

I have to say, as someone who's had a small part to play in the opening of the Northumberland Line (particularly at Ashington), this feels like a watershed moment. I only wish I could have been there in person yesterday!

 

[Roger B]

Trying to find the distance (miles & chains) from Asjington to Benton North Junction. I've tried RailMailes, but "No mileage can be identified for this route". Or Ashington to manors, Newcastle, etc.

Anyone know, please?

 

[D6130]

Trying to find the distance (miles & chains) from Asjington to Benton North Junction. I've tried RailMailes, but "No mileage can be identified for this route". Or Ashington to manors, Newcastle, etc.

Anyone know, please?

From Quail Map Company's Railway Track Diagrams, Volume 2 - England East:

Benton Junction to Earsdon (change of mileage): 0 miles 00 chains - 2 miles 53 chains.
Earsdon (change of mileage) to Bedlington Junction: 7 miles 08 chains - 15 miles 68 chains.
Bedlington Junction to Ashington Junction: 0 miles 00 chains to 3 miles 03 chains.

Assuming that the new Ashington station has been built at the same location as the old one, it will be just a few chains short of Ashington Junction.

Therefore we're looking at 14 miles 36 chains from Benton Junction to Ashington Junction....minus a few chains to the centre of the new station.

 

[swt_passenger]

The public online sectional appendix for the last section, LN702 (still named Bedlington to Lynemouth “Alcan”) has a first entry of 0m 04ch at Bedlington North LC. Does that suggest a zero point at the platform? Then Ashington Junction (I think that’s the new crossover) is at 2m 62ch, and “Ashington” is at 2m 72ch. Is the mileage of a crossover taken at the middle point?

Then there’s an un-named location with an asterisk at 3m 02ch. I think that’s probably the former junction towards Potland Burn/Butterwell. Then Hirst Lane LC is at 3m 21ch, and the NR boundary is at 4m 14ch for completeness.

(Deleted incorrect bit )

 

[zwk500]

Trying to find the distance (miles & chains) from Asjington to Benton North Junction. I've tried RailMailes, but "No mileage can be identified for this route". Or Ashington to manors, Newcastle, etc.

Anyone know, please?

The history of how the lines were built appears to make the mileages complex, but start here: http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/e/ecm7.shtm

My interpretation of the mileages is
Benton North Jn is at BNE 0m0ch.
Earsdon Jn (former?) is at BNE 2m53ch, EJM 7m08ch
Bedlington Jn is at EJM 15m68ch, BWC 0m0ch
Ashington (new station) is given on that site at EJM 2m72ch

So 2m53ch + 8m60ch + 2m72 ch = 12m185ch, or 14m25ch.

As a footnote, I think the zero point for the Earsdon Jn to Morpeth section of route would have been down by the Tyne somewhere in the Percy Main area.

Railway codes website gives the EJM Mileage as a continuation of the BTN ELR mileages, with a datum at the former Manors Jn, and the mileage measured along what is now the Metro line via West Jesmond and Benton.

 

[Roger B]

The history of how the lines were built appears to make the mileages complex, but start here: http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/e/ecm7.shtm

My interpretation of the mileages is
Benton North Jn is at BNE 0m0ch.
Earsdon Jn (former?) is at BNE 2m53ch, EJM 7m08ch
Bedlington Jn is at EJM 15m68ch, BWC 0m0ch
Ashington (new station) is given on that site at EJM 2m72ch

So 2m53ch + 8m60ch + 2m72 ch = 12m185ch, or 14m25ch.


Railway codes website gives the EJM Mileage as a continuation of the BTN ELR mileages, with a datum at the former Manors Jn, and the mileage measured along what is now the Metro line via West Jesmond and Benton.

Many thanks zwk500 - and D6130 and swt_passenger. Much appreciated

 

[edwin_m]

The history of how the lines were built appears to make the mileages complex

The history of this route is even more complex. I believe part of it goes back to colliery waggonways.

 

[D6130]

The history of this route is even more complex. I believe part of it goes back to colliery waggonways.

Complex isn't the word! For those who are interested, there is a very comprehensive explanation of the history of the railways and waggonways of this area in chapter 11 of A Regional History of the Railways of Britain: Volume 4 - The North East written by Ken Hoole and published by David & Charles in 1965. Although long out of print, many public libraries in the region and beyond still have copies....and there are quite a few second-hand copies for sale from the usual sources. I obtained my copy a few years ago from a charity shop in Hebden Bridge for the princely sum of £2.45.

 

[Andymo]

I’d recommend the three part Blyth and Tyne Branch by JA Wells published by Northumberland County Library. Very comprehensive

 

[Snex]

Just curious on the mentioning of Earsdon Junction, I assume this is where the railway line used to join the old line towards Silverlink / Percy Main where the branches off to Fenwick, Bates and Earsdon Pit used to be?

Also where is Holywell Junction? I assume that one is where the old Killingworth Waggonway broke off?

 

[swt_passenger]

Just curious on the mentioning of Earsdon Junction, I assume this is where the railway line used to join the old line towards Silverlink / Percy Main where the branches off to Fenwick, Bates and Earsdon Pit used to be?

Also where is Holywell Junction? I assume that one is where the old Killingworth Waggonway broke off?

Yes for the Earsdon Jn Site. It’s quite obvious on a satellite view, as the straight line of route to the south is in use as a footpath. It looks as if the lines merged roughly where there’s a foot crossing of the line, perhaps a bit north of there.

The present Holywell Jn is at 7m 44ch and is the south end of the newly re-doubled section that ends at Seghill Jn 9m 04ch

 

[Snex]

Yes for the Earsdon Jn Site. It’s quite obvious on a satellite view, as the straight line of route to the south is in use as a footpath. It looks as if the lines merged roughly where there’s a foot crossing of the line, perhaps a bit north of there.

The present Holywell Jn is at 7m 44ch and is the south end of the newly re-doubled section that ends at Seghill Jn 9m 04ch

Thanks for that. I don't know 100%, but I have a feeling it might be named after the line heading North East from there towards Earsdon / Fenwick / Bates Pits which joined at the same point, would make sense from a naming point. You can see the old line by the curve which got cut in half by the new bypass which then bends North by Earsdon Storage right upto Seaton Delaval / Holywell where it bends around and ended at the cricket field, quite often walk it.

Holywell Junction must be the line to Killingworth then as that broke off where dualling ends. Can see that on satelite aswell heading towards the A19 and then under it, near the A1056 junction, running pretty much parallel to Camperdown.

 

[brad465]

I haven't been following this too much, but what hope is there this will be a successful route? I can see services being well used as it serves some sizeable population centres with relatively cheap fares, plus recent re-openings have exceeded expectations. However it still had a sizeable price tag to build that went somewhat over budget, and will the cheap-looking fares actually raise enough revenue to support the service?

 

[Killingworth]

I haven't been following this too much, but what hope is there this will be a successful route? I can see services being well used as it serves some sizeable population centres with relatively cheap fares, plus recent re-openings have exceeded expectations. However it still had a sizeable price tag to build that went somewhat over budget, and will the cheap-looking fares actually raise enough revenue to support the service?

As no Northern routre exists without subsidy the question is how long will this line be subsidised at the level required at the outset?

Northern's best route may require about 5p per passenger mile subsidy and the worst over £1.25! Calculations seem to average over 40p per passenger mile subsidy from one source or another. At first this route will almost certainly become their worst. That can't be avoided when so few stations will be open with a half hourly frequency service. It's a very big leap in the dark when public sector finances are under severe strain. It won't be before 2026 that we can judge how successful it's becoming. By then impatience will be starting to show.