Gosforth Depot avoiding line
The Gosforth Depot avoiding line is a single track north of Gosforth Depot connecting Regent Centre and Longbenton via Gosforth West Junction (GWJ) and Gosforth East Junction (GEJ).[1] As of 23 July 2026, it is disused.[OR] A level crossing for access into Gosforth Depot is located on the avoiding line.[2]
Historical usage
[edit | edit source]Historically, the avoiding line has occasionally been used for regular passenger services, and revised services during line closures preventing trains from reaching South Gosforth. For example, from 26 February 1996 until 24 December 1997, a service at 05:36 ran from Tynemouth to Airport via the avoiding line.[3][4]
The avoiding line has also been used for multiple special events. For a shuttle service that operated between the depot and Regent Centre during an open day on 17 September 1989, a temporary platform was placed on the avoiding line alongside the maintenance shed.[5] The avoiding line was also used during Branch Line Society fixtures on 10 November 1985[6] and 24 February 2019,[2] and during a Hertfordshire Rail Tours charter on 4 June 1994.[7]
During and after construction of the new Gosforth Depot, some withdrawn metrocars were stored on the avoiding line pending disposal.[OR]
As of 23 July 2026, the last time a rail vehicle is known to have operated on the avoiding line was 3 August 2025 when the ballast tamper MA60 was spotted tamping the line, potentially with the intent to reinstate it or potentially just as part of a driver training exercise.[OR]
Proposed reinstatement
[edit | edit source]Newcastle International Airport has proposed that the avoiding line be reinstated to provide mainline services directly to the Airport. This would require mainline trains joining the Metro network from the East Coast Main Line using the Benton Curve (a disused alignment to the east of Benton), which the Airport has secured, and then travelling from Benton to the Airport via the avoiding line.[8][9][10] Nexus also proposed expanding the avoiding line for this purpose.[11]
On 24 February 2026, Nexus began tendering for upgrades to the Airport route "between Newcastle International Airport station and Longbenton" including "tamping to achieve a new through alignment".[12] Since the only direct connection between Airport and Longbenton is via the depot or its avoiding line, it can be reasonably speculated that the "through alignment" is the avoiding line.
Sources
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Plumb, Geoff (24 February 2019). "BLS "South Gosforth Avoider", PoV 4085, Gosforth Avoider LC, 24th February 2019" (archived). SmugMug. "along the Gosforth Depot Avoiding Line, from Gosforth East Junction to Gosforth West Junction".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Logie, Phil. "The South Gosforth Avoider, Sunday 24th February 2019" (archived). Branch Line Society.
- ↑ Maund, Richard (2 June 2015). "Passenger Train Services over Unusual Lines: Winter 1995-6" (archived). Branch Line Society. p. 18. "Gosforth East Jn - Regent Centre East Jn [Tyne & Wear Metro] [75] {New route from 26 February 1996} 0536 Tynemouth - Newcastle Airport"
- ↑ Maund, Richard (1 January 2019). "Passenger Train Services over Unusual Lines: Winter 1997-8" (archived). Branch Line Society. p. 13. "Gosforth East Jn - Regent Centre East Jn [Tyne & Wear Metro] [75] 0536 Tynemouth - Newcastle Airport Ceased with effect from Monday 29 December 1997 - last ran 24 December 1997"
- ↑ Vogel, Richard (17 September 1989). "Prototype Tyne & Wear Metro unit 4002 at the temporary platform to the rear of South Gosforth Carriage Sheds during a Metro open day on the 17 Sep 1989." (archived). Branch Line Society.
- ↑ "10th November 1985 Branch Line Society Tyne & Wear Explorer" (archived). Six Bells Junction.
- ↑ "4th June 1994 Hertfordshire Rail Tours The Geordie 225 Special" (archived). Six Bells Junction.
- ↑ "North Tyneside Local Plan" (archived). North Tyneside Council. July 2017. p. 160.
- ↑ Seddon, Sean (4 July 2020). "The North East rail and Metro expansions which could see towns get new stations" (archived). Chronicle Live.
- ↑ "Written evidence from Newcastle International Airport Ltd (AS 38)" (archived). publications.parliament.uk. Transport Committee. 18 October 2012. 2(c).
- ↑ "Routes to the Airport". "Metro Futures: The combined future of Metro and local rail in the North East" (archived). Nexus. North East Combined Authority. 2016. p. 9.
- ↑ "Airport Route Upgrades" (archived). Find a Tender. 24 February 2026.
