(14 Oct 2025, 3:46 pm)DeltaMan wrote Shame she doesn't have the same energy with NEXUS to do the same with the 19 or Northumberland County Council with the 58 at Seaton Delaval.

The 19/58 serve the bus stop at Seaton Delaval station, there's no bus stop within the car park unless you want a new flat bed bus (there's a very low height barrier - assuming to stop campervans but I do believe it's been damaged already ironically).

(14 Oct 2025, 2:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote Blyth's Northumberland Line train station bus stop snub 'madness' - BBC News https://share.google/GZ24uSwCW3nKDWcK6

Is it just me who read this in Ringo Starr's voice and imagined Bertie and Thomas having a race?

So much for an 'Enhanced Partnership' - seems very one sided to me.

I mean, if she took control of the buses like she said she would, this wouldn't be a problem.

(18 Oct 2025, 1:03 pm)deanmachine wrote I mean, if she took control of the buses like she said she would, this wouldn't be a problem.

She is. They started on day 1 of her taking office but the process takes years…

(18 Oct 2025, 7:00 pm)ne14ne1 wrote She is. They started on day 1 of her taking office but the process takes years…

NECA is currently at the franchising assessment stage of the process. This means they are gathering and analysing extensive data from operators to model whether the proposed franchising scheme is financially viable.

In reality, it's unlikely to be sustainable. Even Manchester has run hundreds of millions over budget, and their original projections significantly overestimated the profitability of the commercial network. London, as we know, relies on substantial annual subsidies to maintain its services.

Unless the intention is to maintain the status quo - in which case the network may continue to cross-subsidise itself commercially, as it likely does now - but any ambition to expand services will certainly require additional funding.

Initially, this funding gap might be covered through BSIP allocations and stupidly high growth expectations built into the business case, but over the longer term, it's likely a local tax of some kind will be introduced to bridge the shortfall, and that will be the same for most areas I suspect. 

The franchise model doesn't work from a self sustainable business case. But, many politicians have committed to them as they are big vote winners and highly emotive, so they will press on irrespective. Ultimately though, it will cost even those who don't use the bus, over time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17x5d0q8n5o

Later trains. 

Must admit, I saw the crowds getting on a Saturday night train a few weeks back, and was surprised to see how busy it was. Would have been approx 9.30pm.

(02 Dec 2025, 11:53 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17x...F36426C1EB&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_type=web_link&at_link_origin=BBC_Newcastle&at_medium=social&at_format=link&at_campaign_type=owned&at_campaign=Social_Flow&utm_social_post_id=612139092&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&utm_social_handle_id=129682371278&fbclid=IwdGRjcAObsh1jbGNrA5uxmGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHqQQFHpTS0Ta00PbHAHeCK6eE2oIrKeDXJYdWqCsHikVVuYTzCSoEbbbT-bH_aem_y0FP8trYVccQqQuM1oP9OQ

Later trains. 

Must admit, I saw the crowds getting on a Saturday night train a few weeks back, and was surprised to see how busy it was. Would have been approx 9.30pm.

They're always pretty busy. Quite a few times in the day where it's pretty much standing loads now and that's without Bedlington aswell. The one which gets in at around 8.45am is a no go and is crush loads. 

It badly needs 4 car trains but sadly there's no stock for it.

(02 Dec 2025, 1:36 pm)Storx wrote They're always pretty busy. Quite a few times in the day where it's pretty much standing loads now and that's without Bedlington aswell. The one which gets in at around 8.45am is a no go and is crush loads. 

It badly needs 4 car trains but sadly there's no stock for it.

It’s a shame bombardier went out of business as some 172s with the gangway ends would have been perfect for trundling around the north east.

(02 Dec 2025, 11:53 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17x5d0q8n5o

Later trains. 

Must admit, I saw the crowds getting on a Saturday night train a few weeks back, and was surprised to see how busy it was. Would have been approx 9.30pm.

Remember when it was a waste of money because there's an adequate bus service? 

Things have moved a long way since then!

Almost like there was always suppressed demand for public transport! It’s been so successful that there are consistent capacity issues and no extra units available to deal with it.

(12 Dec 2025, 12:49 pm)ALavery wrote It’s a shame bombardier went out of business as some 172s with the gangway ends would have been perfect for trundling around the north east.

Aye agreed, mind I think they still exist partially in the Alstom Adessia. No doubt they'll end up ordering more CAF crap, or we'll get the existing rubbish from Manchester.

Don't understand why anyone would order their stuff (ignoring how tendering works).

Ngl though, I'd love to see Stadler FLIRT's in bi-mode so they can run under the wires where they exist. Just think they're the best product on the market currently and would compliment the Metro trains.

(Yesterday, 8:23 am)Storx wrote Aye agreed, mind I think they still exist partially in the Alstom Adessia. No doubt they'll end up ordering more CAF crap, or we'll get the existing rubbish from Manchester.

Don't understand why anyone would order their stuff (ignoring how tendering works).

Ngl though, I'd love to see Stadler FLIRT's in bi-mode so they can run under the wires where they exist. Just think they're the best product on the market currently and would compliment the Metro trains.

There'll be some Welsh 158 coming available next year sometime, when the 197s finally start work on the Cambrian.

Whether or not they'd be any good, or even available for the NE, I don't know.

(12 Dec 2025, 3:21 pm)Adrian wrote Remember when it was a waste of money because there's an adequate bus service? 

Things have moved a long way since then!

Apparently everyone wanted to go to the Haymarket area too!

I was reading somewhere that housing developers are now looking at various sites near the line.

It's crazy that good, public transport (that goes where people want it to go) can work isn't it?

(Yesterday, 10:37 am)Ianthegoon wrote There'll be some Welsh 158 coming available next year sometime, when the 197s finally start work on the Cambrian.

Whether or not they'd be any good, or even available for the NE, I don't know.

They actually coming to Northern? Must admit haven't been looking at RailUK much lately but last time I looked a few month back the Northern management said they weren't taking any more Class 15x on and what's here is here until the new stock come, which is ridiculous if the Class 158's end up without a home.

(Yesterday, 8:23 am)Storx wrote Aye agreed, mind I think they still exist partially in the Alstom Adessia. No doubt they'll end up ordering more CAF crap, or we'll get the existing rubbish from Manchester.

Don't understand why anyone would order their stuff (ignoring how tendering works).

Ngl though, I'd love to see Stadler FLIRT's in bi-mode so they can run under the wires where they exist. Just think they're the best product on the market currently and would compliment the Metro trains.

True. Although if they did go with CAF the 196/7 in a three or 4 car variant would be sufficient, they’d probably be classified as something else though considering TOPS is all over the place nowadays. Do alstom even do any DMU’s on the UK market anymore?

It’d be great to see some flirts but I don’t think bi-modes would be worth the bother as the only wires are between Central and Benton on the northumberland line and none on the Durham coast. Maybe batteries would be a solution but then again, not a large area to charge up with. I just really hope northern see sense and order stock with gangways especially for the NE with the way passenger numbers fluctuate here and would provide the ability to provide extra trains when needed because being stuck in a heaving train with no way to get to the other half empty train is hell lmao.

(Today, 12:48 am)ALavery wrote True. Although if they did go with CAF the 196/7 in a three or 4 car variant would be sufficient, they’d probably be classified as something else though considering TOPS is all over the place nowadays. Do alstom even do any DMU’s on the UK market anymore?

It’d be great to see some flirts but I don’t think bi-modes would be worth the bother as the only wires are between Central and Benton on the northumberland line and none on the Durham coast. Maybe batteries would be a solution but then again, not a large area to charge up with. I just really hope northern see sense and order stock with gangways especially for the NE with the way passenger numbers fluctuate here and would provide the ability to provide extra trains when needed because being stuck in a heaving train with no way to get to the other half empty train is hell lmao.

Aye totally.

Truthfully from all the rumours going around I wouldn't be surprised if there's very little new trains up here, to the extreme it might be only the Ashington and Morpeth routes since they've got some wires. 

There's a lot of talk that the Class 195's are coming to Heaton with those being displaced by new trains down there instead with them doing pretty much everything since we've got the least wires out of anywhere. 

It's nothing new that we just get lumped with all the old stuff.

(Today, 8:05 am)Storx wrote Aye totally.

Truthfully from all the rumours going around I wouldn't be surprised if there's very little new trains up here, to the extreme it might be only the Ashington and Morpeth routes since they've got some wires. 

There's a lot of talk that the Class 195's are coming to Heaton with those being displaced by new trains down there instead with them doing pretty much everything since we've got the least wires out of anywhere. 

It's nothing new that we just get lumped with all the old stuff.

They've got a few turbostars which are mainly on the Harrogate line. I can see new trains going there and the 170s being moved up here to replace the 156s

Folk on local facebook groups around Seaton Delaval were complaining yesterday (Sat 13/12/25) that they couldnt get on trains heading to Newcastle as they were full and standing when they pulled in - and of course this is before Bedlington opens. Seems most Saturdays are the same

(11 hours ago)Kimlfixit wrote They've got a few turbostars which are mainly on the Harrogate line. I can see new trains going there and the 170s being moved up here to replace the 156s

Wouldn't be convinced on that one personally, don't think there's any wires on that line is there? I can't imagine the multi mode units being that powerful on Diesel vs the Class 170's either and batteries are probably a long time away for on there so would be a negative. The Class 170's are ideal on there imo. 

I believe York to Blackpool is one of the lines which is getting some of the trains in that neck of the woods, which is where some of the Class 195's will be released from.

(11 hours ago)citaro5284 wrote Folk on local facebook groups around Seaton Delaval were complaining yesterday (Sat 13/12/25) that they couldnt get on trains heading to Newcastle as they were full and standing when they pulled in - and of course this is before Bedlington opens.  Seems most Saturdays are the same

It's the same every Saturday tbh, made worse yesterday by cancellations aswell. Today has been grim aswell, with cancellations all over the place again.

I've said it elsewhere but it is a shame that the Class 769 as proven to be a disaster, as had they actually worked they could have been a good short term (but knowing the railways, would have probably turned into a mid/long term solution) for the Northumberland line, being 4 car (albeit shorter than the Class 156/8), but having the advantage of having a high density commuter interior, and wide double doors at the 1/3 and 2/3 positions to allow with faster loading and unloading. Plus, they could have operated using the Overhead line from Benton – Newcastle, plus when doing the Morpeth /Chathill runs. But their owners Porterbrook seemed to have overlayed their hand with them and the ones in use are just as bad as the D-Train Class 230 conversions from D78 Underground stock, so perhaps such conversion ideas are best kept as theoretical.

IMHO the Class 156/8s are not suitable for the Northumberland line given their doors being placed at the ends of the carriages, and were designed from the outset as long distance, limited stop units, with lower rates of acceleration compared to the Class 150s as a result (the Class 170 is a bit sluggish too). That is not to say that I would support sending Class 150s up here as a replacement as they are just as worn out (or even worse) than the Class 156s.

(3 hours ago)solsburian wrote I've said it elsewhere but it is a shame that the Class 769 as proven to be a disaster, as had they actually worked they could have been a good short term (but knowing the railways, would have probably turned into a mid/long term solution) for the Northumberland line, being 4 car (albeit shorter than the Class 156/8), but having the advantage of having a high density commuter interior, and wide double doors at the 1/3 and 2/3 positions to allow with faster loading and unloading. Plus, they could have operated using the Overhead line from Benton – Newcastle, plus when doing the Morpeth /Chathill runs. But their owners Porterbrook seemed to have overlayed their hand with them and the ones in use are just as bad as the D-Train Class 230 conversions from D78 Underground stock, so perhaps such conversion ideas are best kept as theoretical.

IMHO the Class 156/8s are not suitable for the Northumberland line given their doors being placed at the ends of the carriages, and were designed from the outset as long distance, limited stop units, with lower rates of acceleration compared to the Class 150s as a result (the Class 170 is a bit sluggish too). That is not to say that I would support sending Class 150s up here as a replacement as they are just as worn out (or even worse) than the Class 156s.

Yeah agreed, to be honest, I always think the Class 350 conversion to BEMU never happened. They're decent trains and 26 of them are sitting around doing nothing right now. Would've been ideal for the Ashington and Morpeth lines aswell and a massive upgrade since they're actually decent trains and only 16 year old aswell. They imo have a lot of life in them unlike ex District trains and Class 319's which were battered.

(2 hours ago)Storx wrote Yeah agreed, to be honest, I always think the Class 350 conversion to BEMU never happened. They're decent trains and 26 of them are sitting around doing nothing right now. Would've been ideal for the Ashington and Morpeth lines aswell and a massive upgrade since they're actually decent trains and only 16 year old aswell. They imo have a lot of life in them unlike ex District trains and Class 319's which were battered.

Sadly there is a real chance that the Porterbrook Class 350/2s could be scrapped, and potentially with batteries fitter be an ideal unit to supplement the North of Tyne heavy rail services. Potentially with batteries, with very short sections of overhead line could be fitted at locations like Ashington (hopefully eventually Newbiggin) and Hexham as recharge points off the mainline AC network (with the side bereft possibly being a springboard for then gradually infilling the electrification). Sadly, I think the 759 fiasco has killed anything like that unless authorities wold pay into a scheme. One Class 379 Electrostar was fitted with batteries and from what I understand it was a reasonable success as a trial, and shows that potentially newer trains are amenable to such modifications. GWR trails with battery only Class 230s trials, with their micro 3rd rail recharging system does seem to suggest merit with such approaches.

Another issues is the need to being down the cost of Electrification, which I guess will need NR to swallow its pride and give Balfour Beaty a call for them to price up variants of the low cost lightweight BR Mk3 systems they have been successfully selling abroad for the best part of 50 years, including to Amtrak and the NY MTA (including Mk1/3 upgrades for older US systems) and recently, New Zeeland (again) and Caltrain.

(42 minutes ago)solsburian wrote Sadly there is a real chance that the Porterbrook Class 350/2s could be scrapped, and potentially with batteries fitter be an ideal unit to supplement the North of Tyne heavy rail services. Potentially with batteries, with very short sections of overhead line could be fitted at locations like Ashington (hopefully eventually Newbiggin) and Hexham as recharge points off the mainline AC network (with the side bereft possibly being a springboard for then gradually infilling the electrification). Sadly, I think the 759 fiasco has killed anything like that unless authorities wold pay into a scheme. One Class 379 Electrostar was fitted with batteries and from what I understand it was a reasonable success as a trial, and shows that potentially newer trains are amenable to such modifications. GWR trails with battery only Class 230s trials, with their micro 3rd rail recharging system does seem to suggest merit with such approaches.

Another issues is the need to being down the cost of Electrification, which I guess will need NR to swallow its pride and give Balfour Beaty a call for them to price up variants of the low cost lightweight BR Mk3 systems they have been successfully selling abroad for the best part of 50 years, including to Amtrak and the NY MTA (including Mk1/3 upgrades for older US systems) and recently, New Zeeland (again) and Caltrain.

Honestly can't disagree with any of that to be honest. Would be a good move aswell and reletively cheap really; since I'd assume the three lines would have enough juice to do it. 

One bit of electrification I'd love to see is the line between Newcastle and the Metrocentre so then if you did do the Hexham runs you've got a chunk of that line done aswell.

Sadly we're more bothered about expensive Metro lines between South Hylton and Washington which will cost an absolute fortune with imo not that much benefit either when lots of little schemes could be done instead which would benefit the region, as a whole, more imo. 

I've got no arguments about the line between Washington and Pelaw though as it serves a massive town and a major employment site at Follingsby aswell but we know fine well that ain't happening alone because that benefits Newcastle City Centre and not Sunderland City Centre and well...

(12 minutes ago)Storx wrote Honestly can't disagree with any of that to be honest. Would be a good move aswell and reletively cheap really; since I'd assume the three lines would have enough juice to do it. 

One bit of electrification I'd love to see is the line between Newcastle and the Metrocentre so then if you did do the Hexham runs you've got a chunk of that line done aswell.

Sadly we're more bothered about expensive Metro lines between South Hylton and Washington which will cost an absolute fortune with imo not that much benefit either when lots of little schemes could be done instead which would benefit the region, as a whole, more imo. 

I've got no arguments about the line between Washington and Pelaw though as it serves a massive town and a major employment site at Follingsby aswell but we know fine well that ain't happening alone because that benefits Newcastle City Centre and not Sunderland City Centre and well...

It would be an ‘own goal’ by Mayor Kim and Nexus if the Leamside line didn’t link up to Sunderland.