Northumberland Line: trip planning & reports

[rg177]

Had a wander up to Newsham this afternoon which is already very popular for day two of operation. About 30 got off the train with me from Newcastle and the car park on the Newcastle side was about three quarters full. Car park on the Ashington side isn't open yet and still some work going on around the edges, but otherwise positive all round.

 

[androdas]

Is there any Network One acceptance on the line? Or should I say will there be since Northumberland Park isn't open yet?

It would be good if Manors was finally added to Network One as part of this.

The network one website states "A partnership of bus, metro, train & ferry companies in Tyne and Wear." so I doubt it as all the stations except Newcastle, Manors & Northumberland Park are not in Tyne and Wear. Probably comes down to local authority funding. Of course all this might change with the new mayoral authority but we will have to wait and see.

 

[Wallsendmag]

The network one website states "A partnership of bus, metro, train & ferry companies in Tyne and Wear." so I doubt it as all the stations except Newcastle, Manors & Northumberland Park are not in Tyne and Wear. Probably comes down to local authority funding. Of course all this might change with the new mayoral authority but we will have to wait and see.

I wouldn't call the concrete lumps at Northumberland Park a station just yet.

 

[Roger B]

I believe it is yet to be added to any of the relevant maps but if you ask the conductor before boarding the odds of being refused travel are, I would reckon, as close to 0% as it's possible to get.

Many thx - really helpful advice

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Random curiosity. If you're travelling from Bristol Temple Meads to Newsham, the most direct route is via Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle - and passes about a mile to the north of Temple Newsam house just before Cross Gates.

 

[androdas]

First time on the line today since Newsham opened. Northern really need to re record the announcement 'Nussim' to 'New Sham' as it's pronounced up here . Apart from that really good loadings and train was quite full but it is the evening peak.

 

[markydh]

I’ve never met a single person from Blyth who calls it ‘New Sham.’ New-sum is the correct pronunciation.

 

[androdas]

Probably came out wrong it's hard to type how it sounds but the sound on the auto announcement is definitely off. The conductor got it spot on..I think the key is to say it as two sounds not one new-sim.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Not a good look today as trains were full and standing from Ashington and people were left behind on the platform at Newsham.

A combination of 2 car units, an hourly service and Newcastle Women playing in a local derby against Sunderland.

Glancing at RTT, it looks like 4 car units are on this from 1600.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Much like all of the North East transport network yesterday, the Northumberland Line was stuffed to the gunnels with everyone going to Newcastle. A pal told me he also never seen Alnmouth Station so busy, either.

Even 4 car Class 158 were leaving people at the station on half hour frequency.

I got the last Northern train back to Morpeth and that train was like the last days of Rome.

 

[StoneRoad]

Interesting article from the Chronic ...

Northumberland Line trains may need more carriages as passenger numbers soar

Some trains, particularly on matchdays, have been so busy passengers have had to stand

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

 

[androdas]

Severe disruption tonight due to a points failure at Benton Jcn but it does mean that there is an exteremely rare diversion via Hepscott. 2T54 from Ashington to Newcastle is being turned at Bedlington in service and sent via Morpeth. Link to RealTime Trains showing the effected service https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W50574/2025-04-29/detailed

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Looks like no more Northumberland Line tonight as they try to keep the ECML running at Benton Junction.

I’d imagine the locals will be loving i on social media - ‘Told u it was a waste of money!!!’

 

[xotGD]

Severe disruption tonight due to a points failure at Benton Jcn but it does mean that there is an exteremely rare diversion via Hepscott. 2T54 from Ashington to Newcastle is being turned at Bedlington in service and sent via Morpeth. Link to RealTime Trains showing the effected service https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W50574/2025-04-29/detailed

Rare track and delay repay. Double bonus!

 

[androdas]

Looks like no more Northumberland Line tonight as they try to keep the ECML running at Benton Junction.

I’d imagine the locals will be loving i on social media - ‘Told u it was a waste of money!!!’

the last trains to / from Ashington ran not that it will stop the Whingebook crowd give them something else to complain about other than the local elections I suppose!