On Sunday, 22 February 2026, I boarded the inaugural train to call at Northumberland Park railway station near Newcastle, which is next to the existing Tyne and Wear Metro station of the same name, providing a convenient interchange. The inaugural train was formed of 158817, a Class 158 Express Sprinter diesel multiple unit (DMU), at the front and 156489, a Class 156 Super Sprinter DMU, at the rear. They were operating Northern service 2T05, the 07:54 from Newcastle to Ashington.

The train arrived early at the new station at 08:06 and departed on time at 08:10. The first southbound train called at Northumberland Park at 09:02 on the 08:38 service from Ashington towards Newcastle and Metrocentre.

Northumberland Park is the fifth new station to open on the Northumberland Line.

I enjoyed being on the inaugural service. Here are some photographs I took of the station and the inaugural service, together with a few photographs from the official opening ceremony held the following day, attended by local dignitaries and children from a nearby school.