Northumberland Line: trip planning & reports

[omnicity4659]

I think there was a way to the country park, but I wasn't sure if it was possible to go via the country park to the museum, and as this was at ~09:30, I decided to just go the long way around.

That seems a fair description.

Yes, cross over at Third House Farm foot crossing, follow the path down and then turn right at the bottom. Follow that path for a few minutes and the museum is straight ahead.

 

[A S Leib]

again, many thanks - helpful info and appreciated

You're welcome.

 

[KeithMcC]

If anyone is interested and hasn't seen it, the North Eastern Railway Association have published a free guidebook to the new line.

Things to See on the Northumberland Line - NERA %

The Northumberland Line is the name given to the passenger route from Newcastle Central to Ashington, opened on 15th December 2024. The route uses the East Coast main line from Newcastle Central to Benton Junction and then sections of the former Blyth and Tyne Railway through south east...

ner.org.uk

Our Guide is intended to be read by passengers looking out of the windows of the train as they travel through places of historic significance in the modern-day landscape...

...Newcastle Central, Manors, Seaton Delaval and Ashington stations are currently stations on the line in use. The Guide will be updated to reflect the opening of other stations, and refreshed as necessary to maintain its relevance as the Northumberland Line develops.

I suspect it doesn't cover the pubs, though!

 

[androdas]

Can you get decent fish and chips in Ashington or elsewhere along the line?

In Ashington my go to chippy is Kielder. Not in the town centre but in the housing estate by the station, only about 10 - 15 mins walk from the station and excellent.

Google Search

g.co

https://kielderfishbar.co.uk/

 

[Bald Rick]

My wife saw me on a YouTube video of the first Ashington-bound train that a friend had shared with her. She previously thought I'd been out with the dog at that time on a Sunday morning. I asked if I passed as one of the 'normals'. Her reply was disappointing.

Disappointed that you passed as a normal, or disappointed that you didn’t?

 

[StoneRoad]

It was XXXXXdy cold waiting at Ashington for the delays to sort themselves out this afternoon !

Not the Northumberland Line nor Northern's fault - some plastic had got caught up in the OHL [I gather that was around Killingworth, but happy to be corrected]
Plus we waited to cross a biomass delivery at one point.

Think I'll have another trip when the other intermediate stations are opened & hopefully in warmer weather.

 

[Mike99]

Of the few bits of track I have to do to complete the whole country one of which that I was left with is Drem to North Berwick, now I can add Newcastle to Ashington. Going to have get the timetable out, I'm sure I can get both done on the same day. I have a holiday in Northumberland in March so that will do nicely.

 

[StoneRoad]

Had a jolly today.
Metrocentre to Ashington and Return.

Cost £11 for two auld gadgies !

Outward was fine - including a drink n cake in "Cafe Local" at Newcastle.
Lunch up in Ashington was a hearty soup.

Just as well as we got caught up in the fallout from the object [plastic] in the OHL. It was xxxxxly cold waiting.
plus waiting in the loop to cross a biomass delivery ...

Think I'll do the same again in better / warmer weather.

 

[xotGD]

some plastic had got caught up in the OHL

An Azuma?

 

[Killingworth]

It was XXXXXdy cold waiting at Ashington for the delays to sort themselves out this afternoon !

Not the Northumberland Line nor Northern's fault - some plastic had got caught up in the OHL [I gather that was around Killingworth, but happy to be corrected]
Plus we waited to cross a biomass delivery at one point.

Think I'll have another trip when the other intermediate stations are opened & hopefully in warmer weather.

Nomination for another thread, Bleakest Terminal Stations? https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trivia-bleakest-terminal-stations.277888/

 

[swt_passenger]

Nomination for another thread, Bleakest Terminal Stations? https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trivia-bleakest-terminal-stations.277888/

Already nominated on first page, my post #22

 

[duffield]

Ashington is now definitely on the 'Rail Ale Trail' map. There's the 'Hop 77' micropub in Station Road - just a HOP, skip and a jump from the station - with three rotating regionally-brewed ales and a friendly atmosphere (Source: CAMRA Whatpub app)....or if ticking Wetherspoon branches is your thing, there's the 'Rohan Kanhai' near the bus station. Apparently the legendary West Indies batsman played for Ashington Cricket Club in the 1963 and 1964 seasons (Source: Wikipedia).

My plan is something like:
Leave Nottingham around 0830
Arrive Ashington around 1230
A pint in the Spoons
A trot to Newbiggin via the old railway
2 or 3 pints in the real ale pubs of Newbiggin (CAMRA says there are a few)
Trot back to Ashington
A pint at Hop 77 (opens at 1600)
Train to Newcastle at 1700
A pint in Newcastle at The Centurion
Back to Nottingham by about 2130

Probably not for a couple of months though...

 

[D6130]

My plan is something like:
Leave Nottingham around 0830
Arrive Ashington around 1230
A pint in the Spoons
A trot to Newbiggin via the old railway
2 or 3 pints in the real ale pubs of Newbiggin (CAMRA says there are a few)
Trot back to Ashington
A pint at Hop 77 (opens at 1600)
Train to Newcastle at 1700
A pint in Newcastle at The Centurion
Back to Nottingham by about 2130

Probably not for a couple of months though...

Sounds excellent! I may join you if I'm free on the right day. I think my wife would enjoy a visit to the Woodhorn Museum. (That's what I'll tell her anyway!)

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Will be leaving this one to next year, and some longer periods of daylight (as well as more intermediate stations to visit).

Also of possible interest to the shack-scratching frasoroternity*, there seems to be a direct bus from Ashington to Widdrington Station, which may aid in the ticking-off of another obscure location...

(*made this word up, because I can!)

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Will be leaving this one to next year, and some longer periods of daylight (as well as more intermediate stations to visit).

Also of possible interest to the shack-scratching frasoroternity*, there seems to be a direct bus from Ashington to Widdrington Station, which may aid in the ticking-off of another obscure location...

(*made this word up, because I can!)

If it isn't already ticked off, you can also get a bus to Pegswood Station which is a 10 minute bus journey from Ashington.

 

[xotGD]

Hop 77 (opens at 1600)

That's me bowled then.

Withered!

 

[D6130]

That's me bowled then.

Withered!

You could always stay overnight with relatives in the area!

 

[rg177]

Will be leaving this one to next year, and some longer periods of daylight (as well as more intermediate stations to visit).

Also of possible interest to the shack-scratching frasoroternity*, there seems to be a direct bus from Ashington to Widdrington Station, which may aid in the ticking-off of another obscure location...

(*made this word up, because I can!)

You can also change in Widdrington for the X18 to the edge of Acklington village then its a 23-minute walk to the station (perhaps best timed for the train coming to pick you up to avoid a long double-back walk!)

Both the X18 and X20 are hourly. Looks like a 22 minute wait between the two so ample time to go stand on the platforms and snap some photos.

 

[Snex]

Will be leaving this one to next year, and some longer periods of daylight (as well as more intermediate stations to visit).

Also of possible interest to the shack-scratching frasoroternity*, there seems to be a direct bus from Ashington to Widdrington Station, which may aid in the ticking-off of another obscure location...

(*made this word up, because I can!)

Someone mentioned Acklington which could be a option but if didn't fancy that then it's the X20 or the 1 either which also connects to Bedlington Station and Bebside aswell so might be an option ie X20 to Widdrington then the 1 down to one of the other 2 stations rather than doing Ashington twice. No doubt Bebside though as I'd be surprised if Bedlington is opened before December 2025 as they've barely started there.

 

[Kite159]

Good to see the car parks at both stations this afternoon being well used. Certainly it's an area I will return to next year to try and get some photos of the viaducts.

As for the bus route from Widdrington that brings back memories of using that bus to return to Newcastle after alighting from the morning train at Widdrington, going via Ashington.

 

[317 forever]

Some of the stations were said to be opening late.

I prefer to ride it once all the stations have opened. Better still, I wish to ride it in conjunction with a new Metro train eventually.

 

[Djgr]

Did this on Friday. Have to say that loadings were modest on a peak time service. Still it's early days.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Did this on Friday. Have to say that loadings were modest on a peak time service. Still it's early days.

Weekends are heaving. The 1130 from Ashington yesterday left people on the platform as it was full and standing.

During the week, people have broken up for work, on leave or are WFH. Traffic into Newcastle this week has been quieter than usual.

Probably be better to judge the weekly peak loadings until after the festive period.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Did this on Friday. Have to say that loadings were modest on a peak time service. Still it's early days.

On Thursday evening towards the tail end of the peak loadings were fine (though not exceptional). Would estimate about 20-30 got off at Seaton Delaval (where I boarded with a handful of others). At Ashington, maybe 40-50 off.

It does seem plausible to me that (at least in the short to medium term) the balance betwern the stations might vary by time of day. Seaton Delaval serves more of a traditional commuter area and I sense the demand there will be more "peaky", whereas from Ashington I'd expect a steadier level of custom.

 

[Snex]

Not sure you can really judge things until the remaining stations are open either really. Newsham and Bedlington Station will be up there with the busiest on the line imo, Bebside is a bit more unpredictable and the Metro integration is pretty much missing currently without Northumberland Park being open.

Not to mention, Seaton Delaval is a bit out of the way and was never going to be the busiest. Mind that said the local Newcastle bus has took a hammering so far though, seen a few going around with 3 or so people on which isn't normal but like people have said the holidays are messing with things aswell.

 

[rg177]

Newcastle has eventually gained automated announcements for the two stations. Previously you'd get a merry announcement for "the 07:48 service to, calling at".

Unfortunately Seaton Delaval is pronounced as "Seaton De-LA-Vaal" like its some boutique French Chateau, rather than "Del-Uh-Vuhl" or similar.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

It looks like they were running 4 car units today on the Northumberland Line.

Hopefully, this continues on a Sunday into the New Year and is an indicator of demand.

 

[WesternLancer]

Is there no service on New Year’s Day? I can’t see anything on realtime trains for 1st Jan

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there no service on New Year’s Day? I can’t see anything on realtime trains for 1st Jan

There are no local services in the Newcastle area on New Years day. This is normal, it’s not a Northumberland line specific issue.

 

[WesternLancer]

There are no local services in the Newcastle area on New Years day. This is normal, it’s not a Northumberland line specific issue.

Thanks. Helpful to know.