NEWSLETTER Issue 11 WINTER 2008/9

Christmas Shopping Specials Don’t forget have announced they will once again be running local DUO! trains on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas. Save on Northern arl Rail tickets when two : J E

oto adults travel together! Ph

If you are travelling off-peak on Northern Rail services, don’t forget to ask for a DUO ticket, allowing the second adult to travel half-price. Unfortunately weekends in December are excluded in from the deal, so DUO can not be used on the Christmas specials (opposite)—hardly encouraging to tempt car users off our congested roads and out of crowded Metro- Pictured: Northern Rail DMUs Nos. 156448 and 142020 at Morpeth Station Centre car parks.

City Centre parking and long tance trains from Newcastle. at Alnmouth, thus avoiding ON THE WEB queues to leave the MetroCen- New for 2008 is that two of travelling into Newcastle. tre are one less thing to worry the trains are extended to Aln- For the first time, the extra Find out how SENRUG about during the stressful mouth, providing a daytime trains will run the Sunday after Chairman Dennis run-up to Christmas, thanks to rail service to Pegswood, Wid- Christmas too, so that you can Fancett travelled from additional Sunday rail services drington and Acklington for make the most of the New Newcastle to Nîmes by run by Northern Rail. the first time in many years. Year sales. The services can even be Onward travel to Edinburgh See www.northernrail.co.uk. rail for just £60 used to connect to long-dis- is also possible by changing » timetable changes, Page 2 » www.senrug.co.uk CrossCountry Cutbacks The winter timetable change will see CrossCountry cut weekday Level Access services to Morpeth by twenty-five percent, reports Dennis Fancett for Morpeth D-Day for passengers important last train is an hour to those of . at Morpeth is 14th December earlier at 21.03. Southbound, There are southbound serv- Following the Department 2008 when the new timetable both the 13.19 and ices at 07.19, 07.49 For Transport announcement comes in. Despite a full year 15.20 are with- “Arriva promises and 08.02, but no of “Access For All” funding for of protest and campaign, drawn, though to ‘look again’ at intercity trains Morpeth (and Alnmouth), SENRUG has been unable to there is a new early between 11.20 Rail have organised persuade CrossCountry not to train at 08.02. The Morpeth” and 17.24. The last an initial meeting to look at cut the number of their serv- Northern Rail serv- three northbound the project. ices calling at Morpeth from ice will now run at the earlier trains of the day are now This will be primarily with four to three each way per day time of 07.49—see “Timetable within half an hour of each the rail companies and local (the franchise commitment Changes” overleaf. other—times from Newcastle authorities, but SENRUG has requires only two stops). Particularly frustrating is are 20.29 (NX), 20.58 (XC) and been invited to participate in Northbound, the 11.50 that the new CrossCountry 21.05 (Northern). view of its tireless campaign- is withdrawn and that all- times put their trains very close » continued, Page 2 ing for the scheme. 2 SENRUG Newsletter Winter 2008/9 Ashington, Blyth & Tyne: Report Due A significant government study into the feasibility of re-opening the Ashington, Blyth & Tyne Line is due to be published in December. But will it give the green light?

Prior to SENRUG’s highly study is scheduled for com- fund the full costs and SENRUG Meanwhile the government successful charter train trip pletion in December, so the anticipates that the County has announced that their strat- around the ABT line in June local authority should now be Council will need to work with egy to combat the recession 2008, Northumberland aware of the costs of re-open- other organisations—such as is increased public spending. County Council had commis- ing the line—then it’s decision One North East—and perhaps The Chancellor made a speech sioned a full study into the re- in which he mentioned rail opening of the main section “The government’s strategy to beat the recession is infrastructure projects as an of the ABT line (a service from increased public spending. Northumberland needs example of what the govern- MetroCentre to Ashington via ment will do. Newsham). to be telling central government that it already Northumberland therefore The report is to Network has a costed, viable scheme ready to be signed off.” needs to be telling central Rail’s “GRIP 3” standard, an government that it already has internal stage within their full time. The costs of a smaller secure European funding to a costed, viable scheme ready re-opening appraisal process, scheme from Morpeth to Bed- finance the scheme. to be signed off. It is impor- meaning that if the go-ahead lington via Choppington have However, SENRUG believes tant that the ABT scheme is is given, there is less work to already been established. that all the regional agencies well-known in Westminster be done afterwards. In reality, of course, it is are supportive, following the circles so that it doesn’t miss SENRUG was advised this unlikely one organisation can successful charter. its chance. Timetable Changes The following additional services will run on Sundays Early Morning commut- catch the new CrossCountry between 7th and 28th December 2008. Please see notes ers travelling into Newcastle service at 08.02, arriving into below. may need to reset their alarm Newcastle at 08.19 (but not Alnmouth 1105 — 1702 MetroCentre — 1214b 1605 clocks on 15th December as calling at Manors). Acklington 1112 — 1709 Newcastle arr — 1222b 1613 the “Chathill Flier” service will The Crosscountry timetable Widdrington 1119 — 1716 Newcastle dep 1014 1223b 1616 run 10 minutes earlier. also changes in December— Pegswood 1125 — 1722 Cramlington 1025 1235c 1628 The new times are: Chathill for full details, see “CrossCoun- Morpeth 1129 1312a 1726 Morpeth 1033 1242c 1635 Cramlington 1138 1320a 1735 Pegswood 1037 — 1639 07.11; Alnmouth 07.23; Ack- try Cuts” on Page 1 and below Newcastle arr 1150 1331a 1745 Widdrington 1042 — 1645 lington 07.31; Widdrington to find out how this affects Newcastle dep 1157 1334a — Acklington 1049 — 1651 07.38; Pegswood 07.44; Mor- Morpeth station. MetroCentre 1205 1342a — Alnmouth 1056 — 1659 peth 07.49; Cramlington 07.57; Remember to check with a 2 minutes later on 14th, 21st and 28th December Manors 08.10; and Newcastle Enquiries or the b 6 minutes later on 14th December and 10 minutes later on 21st 08.14. train operators for full timeta- and 28th December Morpeth passengers who ble information. Phone 08457 c 5 minutes later on 14th December and 12 minutes later on 21st turn up at 8am expecting the 48 49 50 or visit their website at and 28th December Northern train will be able to www.nationalrail.co.uk. Car Parking « CrossCountry Cuts, continued from page 1

Progress to expand the sta- On Saturdays the pattern is still left with one direct ser- at Morpeth once this Decem- tion car park at Morpeth is similar but with slightly differ- vice to (the 08.55 ber’s major changes are welcome—but SENRUG has ent times. CrossCountry are National Express) but none in implemented; but of course, written to Northern Rail, con- improving the Sunday service, return. with no guarantees. However, cerned about the introduction with the 21.02 northbound To be fair, CrossCountry had even if the withdrawn services of parking charges. Free sta- running on Sundays too, and a massive task since winning are subsequently reinstated, tion parking plus a rail ticket a new southbound service to the franchise to prepare for this those who have swapped to is very competitive to parking at 11.01. change due to major issues rail since CrossCountry intro- charges in central Newcastle. Several SENRUG members elsewhere on the network— duced a Morpeth service will But if you have to pay to park with family or business con- perhaps there was no scope to be back in their cars, and all at the station, many people nections in Aberdeen noted seriously consider requests to SENRUG’s painstaking efforts will just drive to Newcastle. the original draft timetable change the draft plan. Recent- to make the case for rail will Concern over non-rail users provided a direct southbound ly, though, SENRUG has had need to be repeated. parking at the station has led service to Morpeth from the a more constructive dialogue Ticket prices and further infor- to suggestions of free parking city. Sadly, this hasn’t been with CrossCountry and they mation can be found at www. with a valid rail ticket. implemented so Morpeth is have promised to “look again” crosscountrytrains.co.uk. www.senrug.co.uk Winter 2008/9 SENRUG Newsletter 3 Committee & Communications One-way Woes

Feedback from members is always appreciated by the SENRUG If integrated transport is to succeed, it is not committee. So when comments were made that we sometimes only the rail industry that needs to sort out its struggle to keep members up-to-date with what’s going on, we ticketing, says Dennis Fancett, SENRUG Chairman did something about it. Two documents have therefore been published: (i) setting out the role of various committee posts Since moving to Northum- grated ticket to get home. and who currently has each job, and (ii) how we propose to berland 5 years ago, I heard Is there a conspiracy communicate with our members. persistent rumours that a amongst all the participants Information can be sent to you to you faster and more fre- through ticket is available of the scheme to not promote quently by email—and it saves on postage costs too. Whilst allowing travel by bus to Hay- it—maybe so they can phase not everyone has email, if you do have access please send market, then on by Metro or a it out through lack of use? your address to John Earl, Membership Secretary (j.earl942@ second bus to Central Station. You’ll find no mention of it btinternet.com). In future, postal communications will only be But I have never been able to on the Arriva Bus website, and sent out two or three times a year. find out any details of what the NEXUS website has very the ticket is, how much it costs little information. Neither the or where to buy it. Arriva nor the NEXUS travel SENRUG Manifesto However, I can now reveal offices at Haymarket had any

SENRUG has published a Manifesto, listing all the changes it “The ‘Explorer North East’ ticket allows travel campaigns for in one handy document. This will shortly be throughout the North East by bus and Metro” launched to the press, and a copy is on our website. Despite being called a “manifesto”, SENRUG is not aligned to any politi- the ticket in question is the leaflets on the scheme (though cal party, but rather seeks to influence all parties with well “Explorer North East” ticket, the NEXUS office did say they reasoned arguments and campaigns. which allows travel through- could sell the ticket)—so Some members have asked if SENRUG is a charity. The answer out the North East by bus and what’s going on? is no, as some of its activities may require political campaign- Metro. The Explorer North East costs ing. Because it would be very difficult for your committee to The ticket can be bought on just £7 for one day and is valid determine and adhere to what is and is not acceptable under the bus, and cost only £1 more on busses in Northumberland, the charity rules, we feel it is better for SENRUG to remain as a than an Arriva-only day ticket. Tyne & Wear, County Durham non-charitable voluntary organisation. So when you arrive at Haymar- and North Yorkshire; it is also ket, the onward Metro travel valid on the Metro and Route to Central Station is included. 685 (Carlisle to Newcastle). Membership & Renewals The ticket will similarly get you Unfortunately it is not avail- to Airport, by changing on to able for any mainline rail serv- If you have not renewed your membership for 2008, please do

so as soon as possible to avoid your membership lapsing. Rates : NEXUS remain at £5 for adult or family, £2.50 for unwaged or £10 for oto Ph corporate members. The easiest way to pay is by Standing Order—to do so, simply download and complete a membership form (even if you are renewing) from www.senrug.co.uk or from the Membership Secretary. Payment by cheque can be posted with a completed membership form (please indicate if you are renewing). Membership enquiries: John Earl, 28 Bracken Ridge, Morpeth NE61 3SY; email [email protected]; phone 01670 518411. Pictured: Metrocar leaving Ilford Road station for the City Metro at Regent Centre. ices, except between Newcastle Thanks to Franks Unfortunately there is a and Sunderland. fairly significant problem— Concessionary tickets are SENRUG would like to thank David Franks, Managing Director it can not be purchased at available for £6 and family tick- of National Express Trains, for speaking at our AGM in July. In Metro Stations, so if you ets (up to two adults and three David we found a man who was willing to listen to the concerns are at Central Station or the children) cost £14. we were raising and take a number of points and suggestions Airport and want a through See www.explorernortheast. away for consideration. The AGM Minutes, slides of David’s talk, ticket including your bus back co.uk for further information. and our list of follow-up questions are all on our website. to Northumberland, you’ll be Phase 1 of NEXUS’s “Metro There has been no written response to the follow-up ques- unlucky. Re-invogoration” plan, due for tions so far but we do know National Express are actively Come on NEXUS—please re- completion in 2010, includes looking at a number of points, particularly an earlier arrival in programme your machines, at provision for new ticket London from Morpeth. least at the key stations men- machines and barriers—hope- The next public SENRUG meeting will be held in the Spring. tioned, so Northumberland fully these will offer the full Members will be informed when a date has been decided upon. passengers can buy an inte- range of tickets and passes.

www.senrug.co.uk 4 SENRUG Newsletter Winter 2008/9 To Rome and Back With the Chathill Flyer Our intrepid Membership Secretary travels to Rome, the green way. John Earl, Membership Secretary

The origins of the Chathill we even wondered whether star for Paris, then caught the Milan—it’s “Parigi” in Italian. Flyer are lost in the mists of to get a taxi to Newcastle but sleeper, “Il Palatino”, from Paris After an overnight stop the timetables. Legend has it decided that would have been Bercy—landing us at Roma in Parigi, it was through the that this train, which descends treacherous to the concept of Termini on a bright sunny “Chunnel” on at a through Northumberland at going every last inch by rail, Sunday morning. civilised 11.13 a.m., which an early hour, was first charged and even worse, disloyal to Coming back we decided to made a sandwich stop at St with that task of ferrying the Flyer, which we knew to see more of Italy on the way, Pancras quite possible before commuters into the distant be one of the more depend- so it was Eurostar again— catching the two o’clock from metropolis of Newcastle in King’s Cross. No, the Eurostar arl the nineteenth century by the : J E is not that fast, but there are oto

directors of the North Eastern Ph advantages to be gained from railway when the sway of their swapping time zones! The vast empire extended even National Express train was unto Seahouses on the coast. fast and comfortable, despite The branch to Seahouses its advanced years, and before closed in 1951, but the Flyer long we were waiting on the continues with its noble duty platform at Newcastle once into the 21st century. more for the Chathill Flyer, We were particularly anx- which threaded its way round ious to see it at eight of-the- the superb curve of Dobson’s clock at Morpeth one cold station—all the more to be Saturday morning in February admired even after seeing so this year, as it was the first link many fine European termini— in a chain which was to take as to the manner born at 5.10 us through London to Paris, p.m. precisely. down through the Alps and It had been a great trip, and Italy, to Rome, over a thou- smooth as clockwork through- sand miles away. out. I think that the great days It was a very long ribbon of rail travel are back with us of steel, and we had no idea again, Northern playing no whether the links would hold small part in the revival. As out to the end. A lot depend- the Flyer pulled out of Mor- ed on the Flyer, because there peth station we watched its were only eight minutes to tail light disappearing into wait at Newcastle for the the darkness, feeling some- London connection. We could how deprived. It had been a have caught a later train of great adventure, and we did course, but any hitches would A French TGV in Milan Centrale, one of Europe’s great rail termini not want to get off. have taken some of the plea- able features of the Northum- this time of the Italia variety The rail trip, for two people in sure out of the journey. berland landscape. rather than the cross-chanel peak time (February half-term), We had been sent a lovely We need not have wor- Eurostar—through Florence cost slightly under £800, com- fat wallet of tickets by Ffes- ried. Bang on time, the Flyer to Milan, then to the delight paring favorably with flying, tiniog Travel, and we just made its way into the station, of at least half the party a TGV both for price and comfort. wanted to issue them in proud and we knew we were in for back through the Mont Cenis Ffestiniog Travel offer a com- sequence like a pack of cards a good trip. We drank a toast tunnel to Paris; remember not prehensive range of holidays by all the way down to Rome and of champagne at St Pancras to look for the latter name rail. See www.festtravel.co.uk or back. In our weaker moments before departing on the Euro- on the destination boards at phone 01766 772030.

Do you have any comments on the new-look Morpeth case to make this permanent. SENRUG newsletter? Would like to contribute We are told the case is near- Ticket Office ing completion, and indeed to the next issue? SENRUG recently wrote to the Chairman: Dennis Fancett [email protected] Three years after the summer Regional Station Manager to Membership: John Earl [email protected] trial that extended the open- express their support for editor: Richard Hilton [email protected] ing hours of Morpeth’s ticket longer opening hours. Let’s office, Northern Rail are still hope there will be good news » www.senrug.co.uk » 01670 825 500 (chairman) working on their business soon. Hiltonian Media by produced Newsletter • 01670 504096 www.hiltonian.com www.senrug.co.uk