Northumberland Line reopening: progress updates

[Trestrol]

One thing I took from the newsletter was the amount of work going on at Northumberland Park. By the sound of it there has had to be extensive grouting to stabilise the site. You do wonder how stable the flats built next to the site were with all these mine working voids.

 

[androdas]

One thing I took from the newsletter was the amount of work going on at Northumberland Park. By the sound of it there has had to be extensive grouting to stabilise the site. You do wonder how stable the flats built next to the site were with all these mine working voids.

Indeed, didnt a whole load of new builds have to be demollished in West Allotment not that long ago because of undetected mineworkings?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Indeed, didnt a whole load of new builds have to be demollished in West Allotment not that long ago because of undetected mineworkings?

Is there any modern technology that can better perform ground invesigations in areas such as you state, with undetected mine workings?

 

[Trestrol]

The problem is the whole area is covered in old bottle coal mines. We were sent home from High School when two opened up on the school field. The council put a small picket fence around it and of course we all went up to the fence. Little did we know that it was a called a bottle mine because it was bottle shaped. So we were probably still standing over a void as it was only the wooden capping that had collapsed. The field was out of bounds for months while they tested drilled the whole field to find any others, which they did.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Have there been any such bottle-mine collapses in railway line situations over the years?

 

[androdas]

There was a mine collapse at the very station in question, Northumberland Park in 2007. It caused disruption to the Metro for months if I remember.

I have found a good unofficial drone video on youtube of Newsham that shows the bridge and crossing that is causing the delays to the reopening. It was taken in May so the crossing lights and barriers are still there but apart from that it pretty much shows the situation at present.

Update - Newsham road bridge is due to open on 27th July and Newsham crossing will close at the same point. This means first possible date for route learning to start will probably be 29th July. Full article: https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/update-at-newsham

Closure of Newsham Level Crossing and opening of new A1061 road bridge​

Construction of the new section of the A1061, which includes the new road bridge over the railway line, is continuing. The bridge is due to open on Saturday 27 July, and Newsham Level Crossing will be closed immediately after the bridge is open to traffic. A number of tasks need to be completed to enable the bridge to open, and there is a possibility that this date will change. We will communicate any significant changes through further updates.



Access to Blagdon Drive and the Railway Cottages will be maintained at all times.

 

[swt_passenger]

[…]
Update - Newsham road bridge is due to open on 27th July and Newsham crossing will close at the same point. This means first possible date for route learning to start will probably be 29th July. Full article: https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/update-at-newsham

I was about to post this news item, but you’d beat me to it, at least this will bump it to the front page.

Interesting that they’re saying Newsham signal box will need to be demolished as it’s structurally unsafe. This issue seems quite a regularly reported thing after signalling upgrades, I always wonder if the signallers already think it’s unsafe. Of course there’s often a mad dash to the local authority to list retired railway structures, I assume from Streetview it’s a fairly conventional brick and glass shed though, with not much going for it…

 

[The exile]

I was about to post this news item, but you’d beat me to it, at least this will bump it to the front page.

Interesting that they’re saying Newsham signal box will need to be demolished as it’s structurally unsafe. This issue seems quite a regularly reported thing after signalling upgrades, I always wonder if the signallers already think it’s unsafe. Of course there’s often a mad dash to the local authority to list retired railway structures, I assume from Streetview it’s a fairly conventional brick and glass shed though, with not much going for it…

Sure I can remember reports of signal-boxes in the past which were found to be being held up almost entirely by the lever frame and associated gubbins.

 

[androdas]

I was about to post this news item, but you’d beat me to it, at least this will bump it to the front page.

Interesting that they’re saying Newsham signal box will need to be demolished as it’s structurally unsafe. This issue seems quite a regularly reported thing after signalling upgrades, I always wonder if the signallers already think it’s unsafe. Of course there’s often a mad dash to the local authority to list retired railway structures, I assume from Streetview it’s a fairly conventional brick and glass shed though, with not much going for it…

I remember seeing a photo of the inside of Newsham and it was basically being held up by interior scaffolding and that was well before the upgrade works so i think the writing has been on the wall for a while for it. Cant seem to find the photo anywhere online but must be around somewhere.

First Class 158 ran to Ashington today via Morpeth, managed to capture it going over North Seaton viaduct around lunchtime it didnt hang around long once it got to Ashington and headed south about 10 minutes later.

 

[nerdowell]

something about that pic just feels...right haha After spending my entire life hearing "The metro is coming to the Blyth and Tyne!" or "We're getting Trains coming soon!" to see (an albeit empty one) crossing the viaducts is nice lol

 

[androdas]

Agreed I have lived next to the line all my life and it seems there has always been talk of reopening, nice to see its nearly there. Hopefully this will be a regular sight from the end of the month when the southern half of the line reopens and route learning can start earnest.

 

[danbarjon]

Does anyone have any info as to how POP Card passengers will be able to tap in and out at Central on the Northern?

 

[swt_passenger]

Does anyone have any info as to how POP Card passengers will be able to tap in and out at Central on the Northern?

No, but it’s a point I’ve also wondered about since the first announcements that POP cards would work. I mean they can’t be assuming people will always change at Northumberland Park or Manors, or can they?

 

[Haywain]

Does anyone have any info as to how POP Card passengers will be able to tap in and out at Central on the Northern?

On the ticket barriers, I believe. I recall LNER were working with Nexus to facilitate this but @Wallsendmag may be able to confirm.

 

[kez19]

No, but it’s a point I’ve also wondered about since the first announcements that POP cards would work. I mean they can’t be assuming people will always change at Northumberland Park or Manors, or can they?

I was wondering the same, as I use the POP card for Metro on visiting maybe it’s me but even on the Northumberland line site it isn’t clear.

Would passengers using the Northumberland line be able to get tickets on that part of the Metro or would the conductor on board the train give you the ticket on board?

I’m hoping to try this out in November (that includes hopefully the new Metros going about … I know a bit unrelated)

 

[swt_passenger]

On the ticket barriers, I believe. I recall LNER were working with Nexus to facilitate this but @Wallsendmag may be able to confirm.

Going off at a tangent, doesn’t the problem already exist with the advertised dual availability on the Sunderland to Newcastle route?

We’re probably now at the usual stage where as we get towards the end of a construction thread we find out about all possible fares issues that seem to take all the involved operators by surprise…

 

[kez19]

I found this in relation to fares but I’m guessing it’s guesswork from the organisers who will run it?
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line

Northern Announce Rail Fares for Northumberland Line​

When passenger services return to the Northumberland Line later this summer, there's going to be some great value fares on the line, with off peak single tickets starting from just £1.20 !



The maximum rail return fare at peak times from Ashington to Newcastle will be £6, with that dropping to £5.20 at off peak times.



The Northumberland Line will also have a single-leg pricing structure, so the single fares will be half of the return fares. That helps to make the pricing of the line very attractive for new rail users as a single from Ashington to Newcastle will be £3 at peak times and £2.60 at off peak times.



Newsham and Seaton Delaval will see great value fares too with a peak time return to Newcastle costing £4.80, which drops to £4 at off-peak times.



The cheapest fare of £1.20 comes if you travel from Newsham to Seaton Delaval at off peak times - it's great value and we're looking forward to welcoming you on board later this summer.



For the full story from Northern, click here.

 

[swt_passenger]

I found this in relation to fares but I’m guessing it’s guesswork from the organisers who will run it?
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line

I thought when I saw it that was just about conventional rail fares, but there was another earlier separate announcement about POP stuff, which has already been discussed somewhere in this thread?

It was in March, here’s the NEXUS announcement:

Pop Pay As You Go will be valid on the new Northumberland rail line | nexus.org.uk

Rail users will enjoy a ‘truly game-changing' experience when the Northumberland Line opens, with Pop Pay As You Go smart card fares offering seamless interchange with the Tyne and Wear Metro alongside traditional rail-only tickets, and with prices starting from as little as £1. Northern, the...

www.nexus.org.uk

But there was also a Northumberland line web page covering both sets of fares, ie rail point to point and metro zonal:

Tickets | Northumberland Line

www.northumberlandline.uk

 

[Haywain]

We’re probably now at the usual stage where as we get towards the end of a construction thread we find out about all possible fares issues that seem to take all the involved operators by surprise

Nobody is being taken by surprise and I am pretty sure, as I indicated previously, that if the matter has not been resolved already it is in hand.

Having checked back on previous posts in other threads, POP cards have been recognised by the Newcastle Central barriers for some time (well over 12 months) but only where a ticket is held on the card, and PAYG cannot be used at the National Rail station. I do not know if there is any possibility of that changing.

 

[kez19]

I thought when I saw it that was just about conventional rail fares, but there was another earlier separate announcement about POP stuff, which has already been discussed somewhere in this thread?

It was in March, here’s the NEXUS announcement:

Pop Pay As You Go will be valid on the new Northumberland rail line | nexus.org.uk

Rail users will enjoy a ‘truly game-changing' experience when the Northumberland Line opens, with Pop Pay As You Go smart card fares offering seamless interchange with the Tyne and Wear Metro alongside traditional rail-only tickets, and with prices starting from as little as £1. Northern, the...

www.nexus.org.uk

But there was also a Northumberland line web page covering both sets of fares, ie rail point to point and metro zonal:

Tickets | Northumberland Line

www.northumberlandline.uk

As a visitor to Newcastle, I got the impression that the POP card would be used end to end, but looking at it another way is how would you be able to board the train at Central? I know and fair enough on the Metro connections ie Manors/Northumberland Park it’s valid since it’s the Metro stations.

I’m guessing here and apologies but what happens if boarding the trains without a ticket but lets say the POP tap on/off, do you just show the conductor the card and say paid for, or will the card be taken from you to take the fare off?

I’ve been following the updates on here and the sites given but it seems more confusing than simple (hopefully I’m wrong).

Re-reading that fare page it seems they want to encourage more train use that way than Metro (so will fares differ slightly if using the POP card to the train ticket).

One final part to add is the integration, they say POP card and then mention “mobile app”, is the mobile app they speak of is it the likes of Northern LNER apps or is it Metro app? (called POP)?

 

[sansyy]

I found this in relation to fares but I’m guessing it’s guesswork from the organisers who will run it?
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line
https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/northern-announce-rail-fares-for-northumberland-line

Great to hear about the low fares and realistic ticketing. A shame that Northern is running the line though as we will probably see this being one of the lines losing service when disruption internally goes on.

 

[kez19]

Great to hear about the low fares and realistic ticketing. A shame that Northern is running the line though as we will probably see this being one of the lines losing service when disruption internally goes on.

On the upside hopefully the links aren’t far from a bus stop!

 

[sansyy]

On the upside hopefully the links aren’t far from a bus stop!

Considering how most new station projects go there's usually a few bus services running close to the area so hopefully they're in luck.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Does anyone have any info as to how POP Card passengers will be able to tap in and out at Central on the Northern?

Exactly the same way as they tap out now . Only difference is that POP PAYG will also work.

As a visitor to Newcastle, I got the impression that the POP card would be used end to end, but looking at it another way is how would you be able to board the train at Central? I know and fair enough on the Metro connections ie Manors/Northumberland Park it’s valid since it’s the Metro stations.

I’m guessing here and apologies but what happens if boarding the trains without a ticket but lets say the POP tap on/off, do you just show the conductor the card and say paid for, or will the card be taken from you to take the fare off?

I’ve been following the updates on here and the sites given but it seems more confusing than simple (hopefully I’m wrong).

Re-reading that fare page it seems they want to encourage more train use that way than Metro (so will fares differ slightly if using the POP card to the train ticket).

One final part to add is the integration, they say POP card and then mention “mobile app”, is the mobile app they speak of is it the likes of Northern LNER apps or is it Metro app? (called POP)?

The Gates at Newcastle will work exactly the same way that the Metro gates do, and all other stations will have PVals

 

[kez19]

Exactly the same way as they tap out now . Only difference is that POP PAYG will also work.


The Gates at Newcastle will work exactly the same way that the Metro gates do, and all other stations will have PVals

That’s good to know, so I guess it should be simple to go to Central tap in then tap out … Ashington then back.

 

[Wallsendmag]

That’s good to know, so I guess it should be simple to go to Central tap in then tap out … Ashington then back.

LNER have been working with Nexus Northern and S&B for a while to make it seamless.

 

[kez19]

LNER have been working with Nexus Northern and S&B for a while to make it seamless.

I was wondering as I am not a local but do use the transport, but did wonder how this was going to work the impression I got was if you had the POP card but wanted to go north to get the train at say Northumberland Park it be via Metro at Central instead to meet it but its good, this is one of the reasons why I like visiting the area to an extent it seems all operators talk and help each other out (happy to be wrong) but it feels at least the areas are connected.

 

[androdas]

The new obstacle detection equipment has been installed at my local crossing of Marcheys House. I'm sure some pictures will emerge soon but on first impressions they are much more intrusive than the older egg shaped design. They look like large metal totem poles with quite a bit of equipment mounted on them. Good to see more progress in the line though.

Looks like the route learning runs start 19th August now on realtime trains so hopefully that is enough time to start the service in September

 

[vic-rijrode]

Exactly the same way as they tap out now . Only difference is that POP PAYG will also work.


The Gates at Newcastle will work exactly the same way that the Metro gates do, and all other stations will have PVals

I have a Nexus Bus Pass and I add a Metro pass for £12 per year to it, which works the Metro gates. Do you happen to know if this Pass will work on the Northumberland Line? (He asked hopefully)

 

[swt_passenger]

I have a Nexus Bus Pass and I add a Metro pass for £12 per year to it, which works the Metro gates. Do you happen to know if this Pass will work on the Northumberland Line? (He asked hopefully)

If that’s what they call a “Metro Gold Card” it will not be valid. Please see the second linked article in post #952.