'Who let the dogs on?': Northern will offer free travel to Bedlington Terrier owners when town's new station opens

It is the sixth and final new station on the Northumberland Line, which reopened to passengers in December 2024 – for the first time in 60 years.

Around 1.3 million journeys have been made on the route so far, with passengers travelling for work, education, important appointments and fun days out. 

When the station opens on Sunday, 29 March, it will allow customers to travel into Newcastle in around 30 minutes, with an off-peak single costing just £2.60.

From 10am on the following day (Monday, March 30), Northern staff will grant free travel* to the first 25 passengers who arrive at the station with their Bedlington Terriers.

They are named after the town, where they were bred to hunt rats in coal mines and race other dogs.

Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director, said: "We're incredibly proud to be opening the sixth and final station on the line, which is reconnecting communities that were cut off for generations.

“This new station will allow even more people to enjoy quick, convenient and affordable train travel and all of the benefits it brings.

"We’re also bringing services back to a town that played such an important role in the history of the railway.

“Bedlington Iron and Engine Works produced parts for George Stephenson’s first train just over 200 years ago and provided rails and locomotives for railway networks across Europe. 

“We know Bedlington is equally proud of this world-famous breed of dog, so we wanted to offer some of the owners and their canine companions free travel.”

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: "This will be a historic day for Bedlington and it's a great idea that one of the world-famous emblems of the town can be recognised in this way.

"We're looking forward to welcoming the people of the town, and their dogs, as passenger services return to Bedlington after more than 60 years."

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: “Bedlington station’s opening is an exciting milestone marking the completion of the transformational Northumberland Line – backed with £300 million in Government funding.   

“With more than one million passenger journeys completed since opening, the line is already an outstanding success – delivering faster, more reliable journeys, and unlocking economic growth in the North East by better connecting communities to jobs, education, and opportunities. 

"I’m proud these services are being delivered by Northern, a publicly owned operator, focused on delivering for passengers as its number one priority.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “The Northumberland Line has been life changing for local people so I’m delighted that Bedlington station will be open from next week for everyone to enjoy – Bedlington Terriers included.

“We have invested millions to get the project completed – including £10.9m for a new station at Northumberland Park and money to bring in the Mayor’s Fares – making travel easier and far cheaper for passengers.

"I know people in Bedlington have been waiting for this and hope to see lots of passengers and their pooches travelling next week.”

The Northumberland Line reopened to passengers in 2024, thanks to a programme involving Northumberland County Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Northern.

Around 18 miles of track have been renewed as part of the programme. The signalling system has been upgraded and 24 level crossings have been modified to improve safety.

Services currently call at Ashington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval, Manors and Newcastle, with a journey along the entire route taking around 35 minutes and a single ticket costing no more than £3.

They can also use Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) cards to travel on Northumberland Line trains and Tyne and Wear Metro services, but must tap in and out at each station to ensure they are charged the correct fare.

Northern currently runs two daytime services an hour on the Northumberland Line from Monday to Saturday and one train per hour in the evenings and on Sundays​.

The operator is also exploring all available options to increase capacity at peak times, so it can provide more seats and space on board the busier services.

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.