Passengers have been able to travel by train along the Northumberland Line this weekend – for the first time in 60 years.
The line reopened yesterday thanks to an ambitious £298.5m project involving the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northumberland County Council and Northern.
Services call at Newcastle, Manors, Seaton Delaval and Ashington, with a journey along the entire route taking around 35 minutes.
Paul Henry, programme manager for the Northumberland Line, said:
“The new line will be a game changer for the local area, providing thousands of people who are fed up of sitting in traffic with a fast and affordable alternative.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness were part of the group who travelled on board one of the final test services, before taking a tour of Ashington station.
They were told Northern were prepared to operate services for passengers, after 53 drivers and more than 75 conductors completed their training.
The staff have been doing test runs since August, to ensure they have an in-depth knowledge of the new route.
It comes after the track, which has only been used by freight trains in recent years, was upgraded and a state-of-the-art signalling system was installed by Network Rail.
Passengers will travel on Class 158 trains, which have space for bicycles and wheelchairs, accessible toilets, free on-board Wi-Fi and charging points.
Northern has also worked with Nexus, the public body which runs Tyne and Wear Metro, and Northumberland County Council to provide integrated fares for multi-modal journeys.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: "It’s great to see the railway network expanding and connecting more people in the North East.
“Ticketing on the Northumberland Line will work seamlessly with the Tyne and Wear Metro, simplifying travel and offering greater convenience for our customers.
"We’re proud that this will be the first place in the North of England to introduce Pay As You Go ticketing on National Rail services.”
New stations in Newsham, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park remain under construction and they are due to open in 2025.
Image and Video credit: Northern
