Things to See on the Northumberland Line

Description

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 Northumberland to a terminus at Ashington, much of the latter having previously been closed to passengers since 1964.

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. It shows how the area has changed since coal was first transported by a horse pulling a chauldron waggon on wooden rails from a pit near Bedlington to a quay on the River Blyth around 1700 to the bustling conurbation of towns of today with a population deserving of a modern, fast, passenger rail service.

The influence of people such as Dobson, Hedley, Hackworth, Stephenson, Birkenshaw and Parsons, all of whom helped to create and develop processes and industries to shape this small but now heavily-populated corner of the north east of England, are highlighted. In parallel various features of the line are described, including the viaduct at Ouse Burn and the bridges over the rivers Blyth and Wansbeck. Places of interest near the route – accessible by walking or by local connecting buses – are highlighted, including former waggonways, memorials to the Hartley mining disaster, Port of Blyth and Bedlington Iron Works.

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.