[spoony]

Currently mothballed and running between Pelaw and south Durham. Does anyone think there may be any merits to re opening it? Cant admit to knowing much about it myself but would like to think it could be put to some use. Seems a shame as I travel past it most days and its all overgrown

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by spoony

Currently mothballed and running between Pelaw and south Durham. Does anyone think there may be any merits to re opening it? Cant admit to knowing much about it myself but would like to think it could be put to some use. Seems a shame as I travel past it most days and its all overgrown

There is plenty of talk about it, it's even mentioned in the latest Network Rail report that it could be used for freight and passenger diversions. My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that it will be reopened.

To tell you the truth, around 3 weeks ago, Network Rail were working on the signalling near Tursdale, maybe looking into the current state.

[spoony]

Originally Posted by Darandio

There is plenty of talk about it, it's even mentioned in the latest Network Rail report that it could be used for freight and passenger diversions. My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that it will be reopened.

To tell you the truth, around 3 weeks ago, Network Rail were working on the signalling near Tursdale, maybe looking into the current state.

Really thats good news Although they will need to replace the track that was stolen a few years back

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by spoony

Really thats good news Although they will need to replace the track that was stolen a few years back

Well yeah, but that is something that has been done many times. The report is quite good, I originally saw it linked from here but I then got it from the Network Rail website.

If you are interested in the ECML in general and the surrounding branches then there is loads of interesting info.

[spoony]

Originally Posted by Darandio

Well yeah, but that is something that has been done many times. The report is quite good, I originally saw it linked from here but I then got it from the Network Rail website.

If you are interested in the ECML in general and the surrounding branches then there is loads of interesting info.

I shall have a look thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Originally Posted by spoony

I shall have a look thanks

I got a bit excited reading that report. I read about the "new" Sunderland-Darlington proposal (A service I would use regularly) but realised it was only a proposal and was never going to happen

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by spoony

I shall have a look thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I got a bit excited reading that report. I read about the "new" Sunderland-Darlington proposal (A service I would use regularly) but realised it was only a proposal and was never going to happen

At least you found the bloody thing! Post the link or send me a PM, I cannot find what I was looking at anywhere.

[djw1981]

Diverting some of the York-Newcastle services that way (especially non stop ones0 would allow more stopping (local) services to use the existing ECML - a 4tph Durham-Newcastle train may help relieve some of the road pressure on A690/A1. This coudl include the current NXEC / XC services as part of that pattern, since to remove the stop would be to do what EMT have done to Bedford, and would mean passengers had to change at Newcastle.

The problem is that to do that Leamside would need to be 125mph and electrified (unless only HST's / Voyagers) were sent that way.

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by djw1981

Diverting some of the York-Newcastle services that way (especially non stop ones0 would allow more stopping (local) services to use the existing ECML - a 4tph Durham-Newcastle train may help relieve some of the road pressure on A690/A1. This coudl include the current NXEC / XC services as part of that pattern, since to remove the stop would be to do what EMT have done to Bedford, and would mean passengers had to change at Newcastle.

The problem is that to do that Leamside would need to be 125mph and electrified (unless only HST's / Voyagers) were sent that way.

So that leaves a good argument for freight then, I see many freights put in the loop north of Durham for a while but then they sometimes seem to be let out a bit early, in front of FTPE services for example. Diverting them via the leamside would sort that out.

[spoony]

Originally Posted by Darandio

At least you found the bloody thing! Post the link or send me a PM, I cannot find what I was looking at anywhere.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseD...n%20Strategies

Not an easy thing to find (assuming that its the correct one)

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by spoony

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseD...n%20Strategies

Not an easy thing to find (assuming that its the correct one)

Thats the one mate, cheers.

[william]

To tell you the truth, around 3 weeks ago, Network Rail were working on the signalling near Tursdale, maybe looking into the current state.
__________________

There is a proposal to create a large freight terminal at Tursdale, with rail access and hence the need for the new A1 (M) A181/A19 link road (soon to be opened).
There was talk a year or so ago of network rail ripping up the entire leamside route, much to the opposition of local residents/transport groups, although in defence, Network Rail said that this would not affect plans to reopen the line and the entire track would need to be replaced anyway (the locals weren't convinced!).

As for a case for reopening....I believe yes, a strong one. With the ECML approaching capacity, the leamside line would undoubtedly provide a strategically important relief line (for freight at least), as well as scope for decreasing journey times between Tyneside and Teesside, via leamside and the Stillington route, at the same time providing much needed, improved access to the North Easts two major conurbations from towns/ villages along the route.

Unfortunately our local authorities seem to favour the road.

[djw1981]

Is there much freight on ECML, or does a lot (during the day) go round the coast? In which case, diverting the freight will free more paths for GC and Northern around the coast without the need for re-signalling. I know the coast is closed at noight so freight is obviously down ECML then.

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by djw1981

Is there much freight on ECML, or does a lot (during the day) go round the coast? In which case, diverting the freight will free more paths for GC and Northern around the coast without the need for re-signalling. I know the coast is closed at noight so freight is obviously down ECML then.

AFAIK most freight still goes via the ECML due to the Tyne Yard. Otherwise it would have to go north for a while and clog up the King Edward approach to Newcastle, it's bad enough at 30mph. Then there s the Metro which shares its lines from Pelaw to Sunderland.

[william]

no mostly ECML i believe. The durham coast line will suffer from capacity problems at a guess from sharing access with metro services ..
the ecml is very busy with freight. i think most teesside bound freight travels via ecml and the stillington line. theres very little on the durham coast now since the pits closed, and im not even sure the hartlepool-sellafield nuclear train runs anymore? this used to travel at night.

[Darandio]

Originally Posted by william

no mostly ECML i believe. The durham coast line will suffer from capacity problems at a guess from sharing access with metro services ..
the ecml is very busy with freight. i think most teesside bound freight travels via ecml and the stillington line. theres very little on the durham coast now since the pits closed, and im not even sure the hartlepool-sellafield nuclear train runs anymore? this used to travel at night.

Yeah, pretty sure that now goes by road in an unmarked container for anonymity although it's not that anonymous because people know about it!