NEWSLETTER

SUMMER16 2011

INSIDE Non-Stop on The Flying Scotsman »» Station improvements The Flying Scotsman service, which now runs non-stop from Newcastle »» East Coast changes to , was re-launched by East Coast on 23rd May, writes SENRUG »» Petitions committee member Janet MacLeod Trotter »» European adventure Not many things will get on 23rd May. Meeting up with mounted on the crowded plat- me out of bed at 5.30am Chairman Dennis Fancett at form as the Flying Scotsman, on a chilly morning, but the Morpeth station, we caught with its sleek purple livery and chance to go on a fast the 6.35am service that con- thistle emblems, slipped into members, but all were treated with a cooked breakfast is one nects in Newcastle with the view. One of the highlights equally well on board. of them! I was one of the two new high-speed service. of the trip was devouring the We made it into Kings Cross lucky members of the SENRUG At Newcastle excitement tasty full English breakfast on time at 9.40am and were committee to be given the while sitting in the comfort of welcomed by the skirl of Pictured: East Coast class 91 opportunity of travelling on locomotive № 91101 sporting its first class. The train was busy, bagpipes and trays of purple the inaugural Flying Scotsman new “Flying Scotsman” livery. but there was a steady supply cakes. What a way to enter the of tea and coffee (served by city! The new service allows ast

Co the East Coast executives) a full day in London. I caught ast while Chair Elaine Holt took the 6.30pm service north, by o: E t time to chat to passengers as which time the high winds Pho we sped non-stop from New- were disrupting services, castle to London. not reaching Morpeth until There was the occasional nearly midnight. But the crew roving reporter and camera remained cheery and helpful, team in our carriage who, plying their tired passengers strangely, seemed more inter- with hot and cold drinks long ested in Olympian Jonathan after they should have fin- Edwards and Sir Alan Beith ished their shift. A long day, MP than a couple of SENRUG but an historic one. Tributes Paid to SENRUG Founder Ken Allott It is with great sadness that we bring news of the recent death of Ken Allott, one of the founders and the first Chairman of SENRUG. es Kenneth (Ken) Michael Allott ing Physical Geography at Liv- local council. He wanted to h Hug

was born in 1945 in Ripon, erpool University. This is where get things done for the town. an h

but spent most of his child- he met his wife, Caroline. After Amongst his achievements nat o: Jo

hood in Lincolnshire where teaching in Northampton in were recycling facilities and a t

his father taught. There were the early 1970s, Ken got a BMX track. Pho regular trips by steam train to job teaching geography and At school, Ken was deputy family in Durham and New- geology at The King Edward VI head of the geography depart- castle, and Ken became a keen School, Morpeth, and moved ment and eventually became and knowledgeable train to the town in 1973. the only geology teacher. He spotter. He was absolutely Ken was involved in many supervised Duke of thrilled, when train-spotting areas of town life, musically, Award expeditions for many in Durham, to be invited to politically and culturally. In the years and took part in music Pictured: Ken Allott on a school travel in the cab of a steam late 1980s he became parish tours to Italy and Austria, even music tour to Austria in 2002, shortly locomotive to and from the councillor for the Liberal/ after his diagnosis with Motor after his diagnosis with MND. Sunderland depot. Social Democrat alliance, but Neurone Disease (MND). He is His teenage years were always insisted that national remembered fondly by a great the editor of this newsletter). spent in Gosforth before read- politics were irrelevant to the number of students (including » continued, page 3 2 SENRUG Newsletter 16 Summer 2011 ast Co ast o: E

East Coast Update t East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell Pho outlines the service changes made on 22nd May

The big change to the East passenger numbers. Coast timetable that was intro- And there’s more. The duced on Sunday 22nd May First Class on-board compli- is now well established and mentary service, which was there is much to be pleased introduced in response to about. The flagship “Flying customer feedback, has been Scotsman” weekday express well-received. At four weeks Pictured: Karen Boswell, Managing Director of East Coast service from Edinburgh to into the new timetable that King’s Cross, with Newcastle created 19 extra services each infrastructure partners Net- but we are now moving on. as its only stop, is proving a weekday, three million addi- work Rail on reducing disrup- We will continue to meet and major success with our busi- tional seats and many faster tion remains a priority and we listen to stakeholders along ness customers. Our other new journey times, our punctual- are also gathering the opin- our route and look forward to services—Lincoln to London ity performance was around ions of our passengers on the hearing from you. and a direct return from the 93%. food and drink offering. Email your comments capital to Harrogate—are also But we are not resting on That Sunday in May was a about the service changes to looking promising in terms of our laurels. Work with our big day for us at East Coast [email protected]. News from Northumberland County Council John Lewer, the Public Transport Policy Officer at Northumberland County Council, has updated SENRUG on various rail projects in South East Northumberland.

At Morpeth Station approval The new scheme includes: Improvements at the information including elec- was granted in 2009 to enable »» Widening of existing existing station parking to tronic displays. the Coopies Lane/Shields footway on Coopies Lane start before the end of 2011 Cramlington Station sees Road junction to be signal- between the station and include: work progressing on extend- ised, allowing buses to access Shield Road »» Passenger drop off area ing the station car park from the railway station as well as »» Construction of a new adjacent to the platform 48 to 102 spaces including making it easier for vehicles footway on Coopies Lane »» Short stay (30 minute) four disabled spaces. There exiting the junction. between the former sta- parking in the existing are also plans also to improve However, since that scheme tion building and Shields station car park pedestrian access to the was proposed, the situation at Road »» Long stay parking in the northbound platform. A fund- the station has changed sig- »» Construction of dropped existing station car park ing agreement has recently nificantly: the car park is now pedestrian crossing on »» Improved signage been signed with Network totally inadequate, which is Coopies Lane to link sta- Network Rail in partnership Rail, which is a first stage in affecting access for residents tion to the new footway with Northern Rail are plan- progressing the project. Work and local businesses and Negotiations continue with ning improvements under the should start this financial making it dangerous for road Network Rail to acquire a site National Station Improvement year. users. on Coopies Lane for an addi- Programme, and the Depart- Consultants continue to The Council has decided tional 92 space car park. This ment for Transport (DfT) progress the demand stud- to review the previously will ease parking problems on “Access for All” level access ies for the Ashington, Blyth & approved scheme to signal- Coopies Lane and encourage programme. This will involve Tyne Line, as required by the ise this junction. The key prior- more people to take the train the installation of passenger DfT before Network Rail GRIP ity is improving safety at the from Morpeth. Planning per- lifts, repairs to the subway, a studies can be progressed. An road junction, particularly for mission for the car park has self-service ticket machine, interim report is to be submit- pedestrians and vehicles. already been granted. and upgraded passenger ted to the DfT soon. n o ats W r vo re o:T t Pho

Pictured: Prior to the recent Royal visit to Alnwick, the Royal Train, flanked by DB Schenker № 67005Queen’s Messenger and № 67006 Royal Sovereign, hides overnight in the Hepscott branch of the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line (ABT), close to Morpeth Station, with the Her Majesty the Queen on board. Why can’t the ABT be opened for regular passengers if it is fit for the Queen? www.senrug.co.uk Summer 2011 SENRUG Newsletter 16 3 « Tributes Paid to Ken Allott, continued from p1 AGM Roundup

After his diagnosis of MND Ken was community spirit- at the fore of the campaign to SENRUG’s AGM was held on in 2002, Ken took early retire- ed, greatly enjoyed family life make Morpeth Station wheel- Tuesday 5th July. Business ment but never really slowed with Caroline and their three chair friendly, taking part in a included the appointment of down until very recently. He children, and lived a very full short film for the local news. the committee: Dennis Fan- gave talks—subjects includ- life. He never dwelt on his Ken died on Friday 13th cett (Chair), John Earl (Deputy ing the railways—to the Anti- condition, except insofar as it May at home surrounded by Chair & Exhibitions), Adrian quarian Society, helped found affected his family and those his family. He will be greatly King (Treasurer), Ronald Hunt SENRUG, and sang in choirs. around him. Indeed, he was missed by all. (Membership Secretary), Richard Hilton (Newsletter N O Editor), Andrew Carmichael,

RWATS Neil Pothecary, Janet Macleod VO Pictured: Hardy’s Florist in Trotter and Trevor Watson. o:TRE Morpeth was awarded first t Richard Hilton stood down as prize for its window display on Pho SENRUG’s campaign to re-open Treasurer. the Ashington Blyth & Tyne Line The meeting closed with during the annual Northumbria Gathering. Thanks to Hardy’s and to the Chair thanking everyone SENRUG Committee Member Trevor for their ongoing support for Watson for making the display SENRUG. Cautious Welcome to Local Rail Initiatives SENRUG Chairman Dennis Fancett gives his view on pro-rail action from other local groups.

SENRUG always wants to see be an issue for some Morpeth for Morpeth. Some protesters has had three separate meet- more people taking an interest passengers, it is those using thought East Coast were to ings with former Transport in how to improve train serv- the stations at Cramlington blame for the issue, but whilst Ministers to discuss it. By work- ices. So, on the one hand, two and Manors who are worst Northern Rail must schedule ing closely with Northumber- recent petitions about local affected, as Morpeth has their after the inter-city land County Council, SENRUG rail services is a good thing. a CrossCountry service at slots have been taken, it is ensured the scheme is in the But slightly disappointing is 8.13am. not true to think they have Local Transport Plan—a pre- that neither organiser sought The argument about arriv- no flexibility at all, so shame requisite for further action— to work through SENRUG or ing in Newcastle before 9am on Northern’s own Customer and were delighted when the advise SENRUG of what they is not robust as the train only Service staff for implying this. Association of Train Operating were doing. arrived at 8.57am in the old We’d all like to see Northern Companies listed it as one of Maybe they have simply timetable, meaning only an Rail run a more frequent serv- 14 schemes across England never heard of SENRUG, or athlete could get through ice, but the body to whom that that would be cost effective. perhaps they don’t believe the station barrier gates—let point should be addressed is SENRUG is not convinced it’s the best group to repre- alone into the office—before the Department for Transport that extending Metro is the sent them. Both possibilities the clock struck nine. when the consultation on the best approach since the are cause for concern and It should be noted Northern new franchise commences re-opened line must serve SENRUG has tried to contact Rail are franchised to run an next year. Ashington to generate suf- the petition organisers for a hourly service, and whatever Also of interest is that the ficient passengers to be cost mutually beneficial dialogue. time within the hour the train feasibility study on extending effective—but journey times We may not agree on every- runs will inevitably please the Morpeth service through by Metro over that distance thing but working together is some and disappoint others. to Choppington and Bedling- would be too long. SENRUG surely better than separately. Credit should be given to ton priced two options with a would have preferred the peti- SENRUG members who feel Northern Rail for eliminating half-hourly service (including tion worded in such a way that SENRUG is missing an issue or the 80 minute gap that came to Cramlington and Morpeth) sets out the problem, rather an opportunity can take it up after 8.30am in the old time- at just £26,000 per year more than insisting on a particular with a committee member or table, making it difficult to than the hourly option. solution. SENRUG’s own peti- attend a committee meeting reach Newcastle for a 10am The second petition has been tion to 10 Downing Street in if desired. meeting. started by a group in Seaton 2007 followed that principle The first petition has been SENRUG is also keen that the Delaval, calling for the Ashing- and attracted over a thousand started by Morpeth commut- problems with local train tim- ton, Blyth & Tyne line (ABT) to signatures. ers objecting to the re-timing ings should not be expressed be re-opened by extending Is SENRUG right to raise con- of the former 8.30am New- in a way that implies criticism the Metro. cerns about these petitions, or castle service. Whilst SENRUG of the new East Coast time- SENRUG absolutely sup- has it missed the mark? Email acknowledges that this could table which delivers benefits ports re-opening the ABT and [email protected].

www.senrug.co.uk 4 SENRUG Newsletter 16 Summer 2011 Montenegro or Bust SENRUG committee member Neil Pothecary writes about his experiences on the rail system in Montenegro earlier this year. y

In May 2011 I had the pleasure ecar h t

of visiting the small southeast- Po ern European country of Mon- eil o: N tenegro, which gained inde- t Pho pendence in 2006 (although briefly independent for a few years after 1910). Many read- ers will be familiar with this region in the context of the “Balkan Wars” of the 1990s, but don’t be put off, this is an area of spectacular beauty and friendly people; reason- ably inexpensive, it is quite easy to get around with a little Pictured: ZPCG locomotive No. 461-033 stands in Belgrade Station ready to depart with a Belgrade to Bar service. planning. Although we commonly call this country “Montenegro”, its and infrastructure activities, at the airport but easily walk- ment carriage where I estab- true name is Republika Crna passenger trains have been able for those without too lished myself. The seats were Gora, literally translated from operated by Željeznički prevoz much luggage. very comfortable and, with the Serbo-Croatian or Mon- Crne Gore AD Podgorica The coast was reached at the exception of a young man tenegrin languages (very simi- (ŽPCG). the resort town of Sutomore for a few stops on the Serbian lar, but not quite the same) as My first rail journey in the but the station was disap- side of the border, I had the meaning “The Republic of the country was Podgororica to Bar pointing, with a lot of graf- compartment to myself. Black Mountain”, a reference to just after midday on a sunny fiti in evidence. A bit further I didn’t need a ticket, instead the Dinaric Alps which domi- Sunday. Montenegro uses along, Bar station is in very using a day on my InterRail nate the whole country. the Euro (but is not a formal nice condition and has a pre- Pass. The train kept good The main rail axis is the member of the “Eurozone”, nor served narrow-gauge locomo- time in Montenegro but lost electrified Belgrade (Serbia) a member of the EU) and my tive and baggage car. two hours in Serbia, arriving to Bar line (25kV at 50Hz), ticket cost €2.40. On the south My second journey was in Belgrade close to midnight. entering Montenegro at the side of the modern station, a from Bar to Belgrade, just Fortunately I booked a hotel

y after midday on a very rainy that was close to the station.

ecar Monday. I was lucky, as the There was a spot of bother h t

Po train was provided by ŽPCG; at the border crossing on eil on alternate days, the Serbian account of not having the o: N t Railways run a set of scruffy, receipt for my stay at the hotel Pho graffiti-ridden carriages on in Podgorica, so anyone plan- this service. ning to go this way should be A smart red Romanian-built careful to retain such docu- electric locomotive headed ments. However, these two three smart, modern second- inconveniences—and the bad Pictured: ZPCG EMU No. 412-049 at Bar Station class carriages, a buffet car— weather—didn’t detract from though I didn’t use this as I a really lovely trip through border town of Bieljo Polje, preserved 750mm gauge train stocked up on food at the some of the best scenery in passing through the capital can be found—a reminder of Bar supermarket the previous Europe. of Podgorica and ending at the narrow-gauge lines that day—and a first class compart- the port and resort of Bar on once served this area. the Adriatic Sea. Construction The local train to Bar was What would you like to see in the SENRUG of the line was a key project of formed of a smart four-car Newsletter? Would you like to contribute to the former Yugoslavia, accom- Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) plished with some difficulty originally built at Riga but the next issue? due to countless viaducts and smartly refurbished with Chairman: Dennis Fancett [email protected] tunnels, with long sections comfortable red satin seats Membership: Ronald Hunt [email protected] running high up along deep arranged in conventional Editor: Richard Hilton [email protected] valleys. The route opened in facing bays. Air passengers 1976. Since the recent sepa- should note that the first sta- » www.senrug.co.uk » 01670 825 500 (chairman) ration of passenger, freight tion is Aerodrom, not directly Hiltonian Media by produced Newsletter • 01670 504096 www.hiltonian.com www.senrug.co.uk