After more than 60 years, passenger trains are now operating again on The Northumberland Line!
As per The Guardian, passengers can now travel between Newcastle and Ashington.
On Sunday morning, the Northumberland Line began its first passenger service since 1964.
The train left Newcastle at around 8 am just after sunrise, made a stop at Seaton Delaval and then reached Ashington, where it was welcomed by cheering crowds.
This opening is the result of many years of hard work and a lengthy £300m renovation project.
Northern, the government operated company will provide a train service every half hour on the 18-mile route, with each trip taking approximately 35 minutes.
The leader of Northumberland county council, Glen Sanderson, referred to the reopening as an “exceptionally proud moment.”
He said, “Today shows what can be achieved when people work together to produce something that is brilliant, provides lasting social benefits for many and brings hugely significant economic benefits to the area.”
It is pertinent to note that the railway line was closed as part of the Beeching rail cuts in 1964.
These cuts were a result of decreasing passenger numbers, which led to the closure of 2,128 stations and more than 4,000 miles of railway track.
There have been calls for the service to return since the 1990s and at the moment, the service only stops at three stations.
However, the full project will eventually include four more stations, including Newsham, Bedlington, Blyth Bebsibe and Northumberland Park.
