The Northumberland Line is now running passenger services (Image: Network Rail)
An incredible new £300million line which includes six new stations has opened to the public just days before Christmas.
The Line has brought back to the route between Ashington and for the first time in 60 years.
As well as new stops, there have also been “major upgrades” to track, signalling and other infrastructure.
The stations at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham and Northumberland Park will be opening during 2025, officials say.
The new timetable means there are two passenger trains per hour in each direction on Monday to Saturday daytimes, and hourly on evenings and Sundays.
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Thank you to all our Secretary of State & Rail Ministers over the last 7 years. Without you today would never have happened. Our first Northumberland Line train leaving Ashington for Newcastle!
— Richard Wearmouth (@RichardMWCA)
Passengers can get from Ashington to Newcastle in around 35 minutes, and from Seaton Delaval to Newcastle in around 19 minutes.
Fares are priced from just £1 for a single for those aged under 21 and with a Pop Blue card.
There is a maximum £3 single fare from Ashington to Newcastle at peak times.
The trains are operated by Northern and will be two car units with 138 seats, as well as 2 wheelchair spaces and spaces for bikes.
The stock also has accessible toilets.
In addition, the trains have free onboard WiFi and charging points, in addition to display screens to show the calling points for the train and connections at key stations.
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The Northumberland Line connects Newcastle and Ashington (Image: Network Rail)
There are also announcements on board the train.
in August that the anticipated final cost of the Northumberland Line will be just under £300million.
This is £130million more than the orginal estimated.
The long-awaited return of passengers to the Northumberland Line was also put back by several months after weather issues.
These included a series of storms, persistent and prolonged rainfall, and high winds between September 2023 and May 2024, which delayed construction.
An anticipated final cost of £298.5million was confirmed on August 2, which is comprised of contributions from the Department of Transport (DfT), Northumberland County Council and Network Rail.