Northumberland Line reopening: progress updates

[Freightmaster]

The line still is (as of yesterday) physically blocked at Bebside crossing with buffer stops coming from Bedlington and sleepers chained to the tracks towards Blyth while the southern part resignaling takes place. Passing by the Newsham site all the new signalling was installed and lit looking down the line as well as the new double track through the station towards Newcastle so hopefully we should see test services in the next couple of weeks...

I'm told that the work is overrunning due to issues with a bridge at Newsham,
so the line south of Bedlington is not expected to reopen until at least mid June now.

Anyone know which bridge is causing problems?




MARK

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm told that the work is overrunning due to issues with a bridge at Newsham,
so the line south of Bedlington is not expected to reopen until at least mid June now.

Anyone know which bridge is causing problems?

MARK

The only bridge I’m aware of them working on is the brand new one over Newsham station, a possible issue I can think of is that they can’t close Newsham level crossing as intended until the road over the new bridge, roundabouts and junctions are complete. I’d assume the new signalling doesn’t include the level crossing? Could it be an issue with the road surfacing or something similar? But I’m not in the area so that’s all a guess.

The intended work they’re in the middle of is explained here:

The surfacing for the new east roundabout on South Newsham Road (A1061) will require full road closures each night between the hours 8pm to 6pm on Thursday 23 May 2024 to Friday 24 May 2024 and Tuesday 28 May to Friday 31 May 2024. During this period vehicles will be diverted via A193 (Rotary Way), B1523 (Plessey Road), B1523 (Newcastle Road).

Overnight Road Closures on A1061 South Newsham Road (from Monday 20th May)

In order to complete works to the new roundabouts on South Newsham Road (A1061) to the west and east of the Newsham station, works will need to take place which will require full road closures. This is to allow the team to safely undertake works to construct the new road layout, including...

www.northumberlandline.uk

I’ve attached a screen grab of the planning drawing so that we can get an idea of the finished layout around the closed level crossing:

:

 

[androdas]

They are using temporary traffic lights and pedestrian barriers at Newsham when they need to take a track machine over the crossing so it looks like the crossing gates and lights don't work anymore with the new signalling system. On a side note I have observed that the crossing at Marcheys House relies on a crossing keeper who sits in a van by the crossing all day and manually lowers the barriers from a line side control box when a power station train goes through, so clearly still some work to be done on the northern half of the resignalling.

 

[sjm77]

The June update to the Network Rail Sectional Appendix includes the new line speeds.

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional%20Appendix%20full%20PDFs%20June%2024/London%20North%20Eastern%20(NCS)%20Sectional%20Appendix%20June%202024.pdf

The new double track section between Holywell and Seghill will be 65mph.
At Newsham in the Up direction (towards Newcastle) the speed limit for passenger trains will be 75mph and 70mph Northbound.
The maximum speed between Bedlington & Ashington will be 65mph, with 25 mph into the Platform bay at Ashing railway station.

 

[Swanley 59]

Are the trains advertised as "Unadvertised Ordinary Passenger" services in Realtime Trains from the beginning of August, and possibly earlier, route learning runs?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Are the trains advertised as "Unadvertised Ordinary Passenger" services in Realtime Trains from the beginning of August, and possibly earlier, route learning runs?

Those paths are likely the ones passenger services will use when the line opens, those paths appeared at the timetable change.

 

[androdas]

The training runs are likely the STP paths that start 3Txx as you can see on this example on RTT https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...24-06-25/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

They were originally showing from the start of the new timetable but now only start to appear after 17th June. When they actually start running will probably depend on when the new bridge is completed in Newsham which will allow the crossing to be closed.

 

[swt_passenger]

The training runs are likely the STP paths that start 3Txx as you can see on this example on RTT https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...24-06-25/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

They were originally showing from the start of the new timetable but now only start to appear after 17th June. When they actually start running will probably depend on when the new bridge is completed in Newsham which will allow the crossing to be closed.

Do you think that’s still the basic problem, the road completion? I suggested as much last week, but that was only by guesswork. Has anything official been said about it locally?

 

[androdas]

Nothing official locally but it seems the only thing stopping it. I was through Newsham at the weekend and both roundabouts seem finished with just cones stopping the overbridge being used. They were actively working on the bridge though on Sunday and from my passing glance driving past the surfacing still needed to be finished on the bridge and white lines etc. There has been some very wet weather in spells in the north east lately so that may have delayed things.

 

[swt_passenger]

Announced today is the dismantling of Newsham level crossing barriers starting Monday:

We will be partially dismantling the level crossing barriers at South Newsham level crossing from 9pm on Monday 17 June to 2am on Tuesday 18 June, in the area highlighted in red below. The level crossing will be temporarily closed for vehicles and pedestrians for a period up to 15 minutes during the works. There will no more than one closure per hour, and they will only be undertaken where necessary to ensure the works are completed safely.

Overnight Works at Newsham Level Crossing (Mon 17 June 2024)

We will be partially dismantling the level crossing barriers at South Newsham level crossing from 9pm on Monday 17 June to 2am on Tuesday 18 June, in the area highlighted in red below. The level crossing will be temporarily closed for vehicles and pedestrians for a period up to 15 minutes during...

www.northumberlandline.uk

I wonder if that means they’re on the home straight for the road changes near the new station?

 

[androdas]

The paths mentioned above that appear to be training runs have all been removed from Realtime Trains up until 8th July and the Biomass is still routed via Morpeth so it doesnt look like it will be finished this month. If thats the case it looks doubtful they will make the 'Opening This Summer!' headline that the council are sticking to. Would it be feasable to do all the training / route learning in that time? and of course it depends what you define summer as.

This was also raised by the local rail user group SENRUG but the council remain tight lipped on any date beyond 'Summer'

From https://www.senrug.co.uk/blog/index.php/2024/05/31/northumberland-line-still-no-opening-date/ published on 31/5/2024

It remains our understanding the line will open this summer with Seaton Delaval, Newsham and Ashington stations. Other stations will follow later. We don’t as yet have a specific date though I have pointed out to the County Council that under the railway’s “T-12” rule, if passenger trains are to start running on Monday 2nd September for instance, then tickets should go on sale at midnight of 13th June – less than 2 weeks away. Meanwhile, Northern has issued a press release saying that Northumberland Line train times are now built in to the National Rail database. I have asked them for a copy of the times in table or similar format but they have said this is not yet available. Hobbyist however will find the times in realtimetrains though this does not make clear the trains will not be stopping at Northumberland Park, Bebside or Bedlington initially or clarify when passenger services will actually start running. It would appear however that once service starts, the first train will depart Ashington at 06:00 on weekdays then at 31 and 00 minutes past each hour. This information should be treated with caution as realtimetrains is not an official source of information. Just to be clear, passenger services will not start from 2nd June, even though the train paths are shown as “reserved” from this date (which is the timetable change date). The reluctance to formally share information with SENRUG is a little disappointing given our 19 year history in campaigning for the line, but this close to the opening we prefer to focus on celebrating our campaign success.

Update: Doing a bit more digging there is a Biomass train on a STP schedule running via Blyth in the early hours of July 2nd, which is unusual at that time of night. If this does run and given the crossing is being dismantled the only way that can happen is if the Newsham bridge is finished. Of course thats a lot of 'Ifs' Schedule here: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R03979/2024-07-02/detailed

 

[Geeves]

4 additional 158s have now transferred from Neville Hill to Heaton this week which I'd imagine is the lines full requirement.

 

[03_179]

Saw something yesterday (internally) that said the line will open in September.

 

[nerdowell]

I am far from an expert, but the staggered crossroads and high proportion of traffic likely to turn right immediately after crossing the line stand out to me as reasons why having a person may be preferable to CCTV or OD. The level crossing appears to be on a key route for Local traffic, although it's not clear whether routes traffic to/from further afield generally take would necessarily use the crossing.

That road route is a rat run if you're coming from Blyth/Ashington/A189/Coast, its a mix of local/long distance and the only way into Bedlington itself if you don't want to go through down the Furnace Bank or all the way round bebside and up Bedlington bank or if you aren't coming off the A1. In addition you have school run traffic running into a dead end street so they have to double back on the way out (not to mention the amount of kids who congregate around there to and from the school) and theres two blind curves. I can see that crossing being a major headache in the next few years to be honest, a footbridge will probably be installed within the next five years due to complaints, can see it now.

 

[androdas]

The station did indeed have a footbridge when it was open and probably had a lot less rail traffic that is proposed when the line reopens. You can see the bridge on this site http://disused-stations.org.uk/b/bedlington/index.shtml which which has the demolition date of May 1973 so survived for a good few years after the passenger service ceased. Even the relatively infrequent trains at the minute cause congestion so I imagine a footbridge would make sense there. the problem is that as everything quite rightly needs to be accessible these days it will be no small undertaking like it used to be and would either require long ramps in a tight space or lifts.

 

[swt_passenger]

The station did indeed have a footbridge when it was open and probably had a lot less rail traffic that is proposed when the line reopens. You can see the bridge on this site http://disused-stations.org.uk/b/bedlington/index.shtml which which has the demolition date of May 1973 so survived for a good few years after the passenger service ceased. Even the relatively infrequent trains at the minute cause congestion so I imagine a footbridge would make sense there. the problem is that as everything quite rightly needs to be accessible these days it will be no small undertaking like it used to be and would either require long ramps in a tight space or lifts.

I suspect there’d be a problem with the only obvious position for an accessible footbridge overlooking the existing buildings on the down side at above first floor level. So it would have to be built with full screening and would almost certainly look terrible…

 

[Chester1]

Saw something yesterday (internally) that said the line will open in September.

When is the last day of summer? Saturday 21st September? Roger Ford's advice in Modern Railways to assume last possible date for seasonal targets springs to mind.

 

[snowball]

Roger Ford's advice in Modern Railways to assume last possible date for seasonal targets springs to mind.

He usually quotes it as "distrust all forecasts based on the seasons". I think part of the point is that if a forecast is being given only in terms of a season, the forecaster is probably not confident enough to be more precise, so there will probably be unforeseen difficulties and the forecast will probably not be met.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The station did indeed have a footbridge when it was open and probably had a lot less rail traffic that is proposed when the line reopens. You can see the bridge on this site http://disused-stations.org.uk/b/bedlington/index.shtml

Why are there castellations on the footbridge?

 

[WesternLancer]

Why are there castellations on the footbridge?

That's a good question - certainly makes it look unusual in the old images. Was it anything more than decorative?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Saw something yesterday (internally) that said the line will open in September.

I've been told the week before my birthday

 

[androdas]

STP schedule has appeared on realtime trains on 2nd July for a empty stock run from Heaton depot to Ashington via Morpeth and Bedlington reverse.

Realtime Trains | 5T10 1037½ Heaton T&R.S.M.D. to Heaton T&R.S.M.D. | 03/07/2024

Real-time train running information for 5T10 1037½ departure from Heaton T&R.S.M.D. to Heaton T&R.S.M.D. on 03/07/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like it will be Northern's first venture out to the new Ashington station.

 

[nerdowell]

So Newsham and Bebside are still blocked

 

[Freightmaster]

So Newsham and Bebside are still blocked

Looking like July 8th at the earliest for reopening at the moment.



MARK

 

[londonbridge]

Saw something yesterday (internally) that said the line will open in September.

Presumably though not in time for great north run weekend.

 

[androdas]

Wouldn't have thought the Northumberland Line would take a lot of Great North Run traffic anyway. Mostly the Metro core that sees the biggest hit on run day.

 

[Killingworth]

Wouldn't have thought the Northumberland Line would take a lot of Great North Run traffic anyway. Mostly the Metro core that sees the biggest hit on run day.

As I intend to be up for GNR weekend I'd like to sample both a new Metro unit and the Northumberland line. Maybe both on a later trip at the end of October?

 

[androdas]

As I intend to be up for GNR weekend I'd like to sample both a new Metro unit and the Northumberland line. Maybe both on a later trip at the end of October?

I have my doubts either will be ready for GNR weekend. Maybe one or two of the new Metros on short specials.

On the Northumberland Line another week of the training paths has gone from Realtime trains; first runs now showing as 15th July.

 

[swt_passenger]

A June newsletter was published yesterday, much the same stuff as in previous editions. It includes:

“I‘m delighted to say that all the major track and signalling works required to commission Northumberland Line infrastructure are now complete. Construction work at Newsham and Seaton Delaval Station continues to progress well, and the works required to allow these stations to open are on target to be completed in Summer 2024. Once the stations have achieved this state of readiness, we will need to conclude the safety authorisation process to allow us to safely bring them into use alongside Ashington Station.”

But it also still shows details of numerous road closures for level crossing works along the line, well into July, and in the case of North Seaton, until mid August.

June Newsletter

We're getting closer to passenger services returning to the Northumberland Line later this summer and there's a lot of work going on across the station construction sites and delivering on our social value promises.Read all the latest news in our June newsletter.If you've ever got any questions...

www.northumberlandline.uk

 

[androdas]

A June newsletter was published yesterday, much the same stuff as in previous editions. It includes:



But it also still shows details of numerous road closures for level crossing works along the line, well into July, and in the case of North Seaton, until mid August.

June Newsletter

We're getting closer to passenger services returning to the Northumberland Line later this summer and there's a lot of work going on across the station construction sites and delivering on our social value promises.Read all the latest news in our June newsletter.If you've ever got any questions...

www.northumberlandline.uk

Im not sure those crossing works would preclude at least the route learning starting as long as the Newsham crossing is closed because Bedlington - Lynemouth is open for freight with about 6 trains a day. I have had a closer look at the level crossings on that northern section of the line that is open (sorry no pictures as I didnt have my phone). They have what I assume to be obsticle detection equiptment installed behind the traffic lights however Green Lane and Marcheys has crossing keepers and this equipment is not connected with the cables taped to the posts.

If you have a look at the council roadworks site (one.network) it gives you the reason for the closures as: "H W Martin on behalf of Siemens Mobility Ltd for the installation and set up of obstacle detection crossing equipment." so that explains the crossing keepers. Hopefully the route learning starts on 15th July as RTT currently shows but that will all depend on progress at Newsham with the bridge.