The Anonymous Widower

Northumberland Line ‘Phased Reopening’ By Summer

The title of this post, is the same as that as this article on the BBC.

These are the first three paragraphs.

The Northumberland Line will partially reopen this summer days after it was announced it would not be in service until the end of 2024.

Conservative county council leader Glen Sanderson said there had been “challenges” with the project, but when fully reopened the rail line would be a “game changer” for travellers.

The stations due to be open in the summer are Seaton Delaval, Ashington and Newsham.

In my lifetime, the Victoria, Jubilee and Elizabeth Lines in London, have opened on a phased manner.

So why shouldn’t the Northumberland Line?

In fact given the route, it could be opened with a shuttle between Ashington and Newcastle stations, to train drivers and test the concept.

• The intermediate stations could be added over a couple of years.
• I would add a station with lots of parking early.
• If the views live up to the pictures, a lot of passengers will have a day out for the views.
• I’m sure enthusiasts and locals, especially with their kids will be exploring this short railway in droves.

To me, this is definitely a line, that will suffer from London Overground Syndrome.

This OpenRailwayMap shows the railways to the North of Newcastle.

Note.

1. The red track is the electrified East Coast Main Line.
2. Ashington station is at the top of the map and is marked by a blue arrow.
3. The blue track is the Tyne and Wear Metro.
4. Newcastle station is where the Metro crosses the East Coast Main Line at the bottom of the map.
5. The black trackrunning North-South to the East of the East Coast Main Line is the Northumberland Line.

This OpenRailwayMap shows the railways to the North of Ashington.

Note.

1. The red track is the electrifed East Coast Main Line.
2. Ashington station is at the bottom of the map and is marked by a blue arrow.
3. There are a few disused colliery lines to the North of Ashington.

I believe that these railways to the North of Newcastle could and should be developed.

The East Coast Main Line Is Congested

Consider.

• The East Coast Main Line has only two tracks.
• It is one of only two rail routes between England and Scotland.
• It carries local services as well as long distance express services.
• In recent years more services have been added by Lumo and TransPennine Express.

It is my belief that applying digital signalling between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick, should be a high priority project to increase the capacity of the East Coast Main Line.

Local Services Can Be Extended

The Northumberland Line opens up possibilities for extension, where track already exists..

• From Ashington to Newbiggin-on-Sea and Lynemouth.
• From Bedlington to Morpeth and the East Coast Main Line.
• From Bedlington to North Blyth.

It would appear that it might be possible to run a new line North from Ashington to connect with the East Coast Main Line.

Distances Are Short

Consider.

• Ashington and Newcastle is 20.6 miles
• Newcastle and Morpeth is 16.6 miles
• Newcastle and Berwick is electrified.
• In The Data Sheet For Hitachi Battery Electric Trains, I stated that Hitachi’s battery-electric express trains have a range of 43.5 miles on one battery. A slower commuter train would certainly achieve this distance.

I have a feeling that a passenger-friendly network of battery-electric trains can be developed along and around the Northumberland Line and the East Coast Main Line.

January 18, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Ashington Station, Battery-Electric Trains, East Coast Main Line, London Overground Syndrome, Lumo, Newcastle Station, Newsham Station, Northumberland Line (Newcastle And Ashington/Blyth), Northumberland Park (Northumberland) Station, Seaton Delaval Station, TransPennine Express, Tyne And Wear Metro