Finally, here we are aboard the very first passenger train to Ashington for 60 years. We’ve just left Newcastle at 07:57 and are expecting to arrive in Ashington at 08:31, where we are expecting a very warm welcome. Not quite the end of our 19-year campaign, because there’s 4 more stations to come on stream next year, and further extensions we want to see after that. But nevertheless, an absolutely fantastic occasion, and delighted to be here on this first train. Later in the day, I had time for a quick handshake with Northern’s Regional Director Jason Wade, as we both thanked each other for this momentous achievement, and was also pleased to note Ashington station crowded throughout the day, with people anxious for an opportunity to travel on the new service.
