Train travel

Virgin Trains East Coast provides trains south towards London King’s Cross. It also runs north to Edinburgh and beyond. Trains call within Northumberland at Berwick, Alnmouth and Morpeth. They call more frequently at Newcastle.

CrossCountry runs south towards Sheffield, Birmingham and the south west. It also runs north to Edinburgh and beyond. Some trains call within Northumberland at Berwick, Alnmouth or Morpeth. They call more frequently at Newcastle.

Northern Rail provides a local service between Morpeth, Cramlington, Newcastle and Intu Metrocentre. Trains run approximately hourly during the day, Mondays to Saturdays. A commuter train runs to Newcastle and back from Chathill, Alnmouth, Acklington, Widdrington and Pegswood.

The Hadrian’s Wall or Tyne Valley line is one of England’s scenic railways. It provides a fast, convenient way to travel. In conjunction with the Hadrian’s Wall bus, you can use the line to access all the historic sites of the Hadrian’s Wall area. 

For more information on travelling around Hadrian’s Wall country, click here to go to the Visit Hadrian's Wall website. Most trains on the Tyne Valley line are operated by Northern Rail.

Between Carlisle and Newcastle, trains run hourly most of the day, every day including Sundays. All trains call within Northumberland at Haltwhistle, Hexham and Prudhoe. Several trains make additional calls at Bardon Mill, Haydon Bridge and other stations east of Hexham. A small number of trains run beyond Carlisle to Dumfries and Glasgow.

Other trains run hourly between Hexham and Newcastle, calling at all stations in Northumberland. Many run through, to, or from Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Connecting trains at Newcastle and Carlisle
You can connect with further trains at Newcastle including First TransPennine Express to Leeds and Manchester. At Carlisle, Virgin West Coast runs south to Preston and beyond. Virgin West Coast and TransPennine Express also run north to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

We have compiled summary timetables from information published by the operators and the GB rail timetable but you should make a final check with the National Rail enquiry service before you travel, in case of any last-minute changes.

Some adjustments to timetables are introduced from 15 May 2016:

• Click here for a timetable for trains between Newcastle, Morpeth, Chathill, Berwick upon Tweed and Edinburgh.
• Click here for a timetable for trains between Newcastle, Hexham and Carlisle.
• Click here for a summary timetable for trains between Newcastle and London King's Cross.

Page last updated 19 May 2016. 

The links below take you to the websites of the train operators mentioned on this page:

• CrossCountry Trains
• Virgin Trains East Coast
• Northern
• TransPennine Express
• Virgin Trains (at Carlisle)

If you are travelling to Hexham or Alnmouth stations, you can buy a through ticket to complete your journey by local bus. The scheme is also available in Newcastle and Carlisle. For more information, go to the PlusBus website.

For the latest information on train times and fares, contact the National Rail enquiry service, by phone on 03457 484950, open 24 hours daily.

You can get comprehensive information from the National Rail website.
 

Transport Focus is the independent transport user watchdog. They represent passengers using trains, buses and coaches and liaise with operators, or Nexus (Tyne and Wear passenger transport executive) for Metro services, on the quality of services provided.

Rail users wishing to comment about train services in Northumberland should firstly contact the train operator.  

If you are not satisfied with the reply to any complaint, contact Transport Focus:

• via the webform
• email advice@transportfocus.org.uk
• phone 0300 123 2350
• post to Freepost: RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ

For more information, consult the website.

The county council supports the Tyne Valley community rail partnership (TVCRP), which has the aim of promoting the Hadrian’s Wall (Tyne Valley) line for residents and visitors.

• Find out more from the TVCRP website.

This page was last updated on 9 September 2015.