Poetry in Motion: Creative Writing lecturer’s work connects passengers with the history of reopened railway 

Dr John Challis, Poet and Lecturer in Creative Writing at York St John University says it’s a ‘great honour’ for his poetry to be selected to celebrate the reopened Northumberland Line. His specially commissioned poem The Journey has now gone on permanent display at each of the stations along the route. 

The Northumberland Line has restored passenger rail services between Ashington and Newcastle, a major project in transport connectivity across south east Northumberland. As of March this year, all 6 stations along the route are now fully operational, including Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park 

The Journey reflects on the region’s landscape and heritage, particularly its rich historic links to rail travel. Each station is individually marked with a warm and knowing nod to their unique stories and contributions to the area. 

The work joins a long and esteemed list of English poems inspired by the railways and the country’s pioneering connection to them.  

Dr John Challis, Lecturer in Creative Writing at York St John University said it’s subject matter that particularly resonated with him: 

“I love travelling by train and find it helps me develop ideas for poems. There's something about the momentum, about being on the move, and about seeing the landscape scrolling by that encourages different ways of thinking. 

“The Northumberland Line travels through some of my favourite places in the North East, and it’s a great honour to see the poem on the train platforms. Hopefully passengers and those reading it will enjoy it, feel inspired and maybe learn a little bit about the history and possibly even go and write their own poems.” 

Commemorating the reopening of the line is one of several public poetry projects Dr Challis has been part of in the region. He is passionate about connecting people with poetry and inspiring others to give it a try such as through delivering workshops in schools.  

Although now based in York, he spent a decade and a half in the North East, studying and working in Newcastle. He’s previously been the writer in residence at the National Trust’s Seaton Delaval Hall. There he worked with the public, volunteers, gardeners, archaeologists, ecologists, and historians, to produce poems that celebrated the hall from new perspectives.  Many of the poems written during this time are included in his much praised collection of poetry, The Green Parcel (Bloodaxe Books, 2026) 

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said:

"The Northumberland Line has been an inspirational project on many levels, making a real difference to people's lives across the area - and it's great to see it has even inspired poetry. 

"This is a wonderful piece of work which really captures the feel and history of south east Northumberland, as well as the towns and villages the trains pass through. It's another element of the Northumberland Line which will have a lasting legacy." 

Paul Henry, Programme Manager for the Northumberland Line, said:  

“We wanted to display John’s fantastic poem at each station along the route as it celebrates the rich history of the area and the key role it played in the creation of our railways.   

“We hope passengers will enjoy it as they continue to make the most of this transformational railway line.” 

 
 
The Journey   

We stand at the beginning 

in Ashington, the heart of coal, 

where our forebears gifted 

railways to the world.  
 

At Bedlington, malleable iron rails  

sent early engines sailing  

over deep, uneven, muddy furrows. 

Marra, here’s our history: 

we held the reigns to Blyth Bebside, 

cleared the tracks, called the stops 

and felt the distances collapse, 

steering the Hartley’s firebox. 

Calling now at Newsham 

for saltwater and ice cream, 

we leave the iron horse behind  

encased in its cloud of steam. 

Switch onto electric lines, 

wave at Vanbrugh’s stately hall, 

silent in the countryside  

as we pass Seaton Delaval. 

Onwards to Northumberland Park. 

All places are a fare away. 

Which way will you travel now? 

The journey begins today. 

John Challis 

The Journey - a new poem celebrating the Northumberland Line's rich history and heritage - YouTube 

Study Creative Writing at York St John University 

Creative Writing | York St John University