New late service will be launched on Northumberland Line ahead of one year anniversary

The last train running from Newcastle to Ashington currently departs at 10.16pm on weekdays and Saturdays.

But when the timetable changes on December 14, that service will be moved back to 10.23pm and a new late service – departing at 11.21pm – will be introduced.

Services on Sundays will be extended, running through to the station at the MetroCentre so customers can travel directly to the popular shopping centre.

The changes will come into effect almost one year after the railway line reopened to passengers, on Sunday, 15 December in 2024 – for the first time in 60 years.

Paul Henry, Northern’s programme manager for the Northumberland Line, said: “It’s fantastic to see that passengers have been making the most of services on this line, completing more than 800,000 journeys so far.   

“Since the opening, we have been keeping a close eye on demand and listening to feedback.

“There have been a lot of calls for a later service and a direct link to the MetroCentre, so we have worked really hard to make that happen.”

Councillor Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "The Northumberland Line has been a huge success and we're delighted that extra services are being brought in.

"The line really has been transformational for all sorts of reasons and we know how popular it is - so this is another big boost for the service.

"We're looking forward to the final remaining stations opening early next year."

The Northumberland Line reopened to passengers thanks to a project involving Northumberland County Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Northern.

Services currently call at Newcastle, Manors and at new stations in Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside and Ashington, with a journey along the entire route taking around 35 minutes.

They have been very popular during weekends and school holidays. But Northern has also seen a growing number of commuters and students use weekday services in recent months.  

The number of journeys made on the route by passengers using peak-time and season tickets rose by almost 50% between April and September in 2025.  

The maximum peak-time single fare – for the trip from Newcastle to Ashington – is £3 and a return trip costs £6. An off-peak single for the same journey is £2.60 and a return is £5.20.

Work on stations in Northumberland Park and Bedlington is ongoing and they are due to open to customers in 2026.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.