Gen Groups: North East Gen - Trainspots (Ver 1.91)

Monday, 09th April, 2001

A group set up to provide regular loco/unit gen (current or advance warnings), railtour times, timings of special workings in the area, storage or re-instatement of locos, engineering work disruptions to services. For spotting reports, discussions and questions please join our sister group at: north-east-discussion

Go to: North East Gen

Location Name:

TS48 - Battersby

Location Notes:

Located about 15 miles South East of Middlesbrough, on the Esk Valley line.

Railway type and traffic

One train runs back and forth between Middlesbrough and Whitby. During the week this is usually a 144 but on weekends it could be any of Arriva's units.
There are also occasional extra trains to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Grosmont.

Location Name:

TS484 - Berwick, Royal Tweed Bridge

Location Notes:

A main road bridge for traffic from the south west borders into Berwick. The actually railway is located on the Royal Border Bridge, which is directly opposite the road bridge. The line is, of course, the East Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic

Train services are mainly passenger, operated by both East Coast and Arriva Cross Country. There are few freight services, mainly operated by Transrail and .. There are also engineers sidings at Berwick station, so the odd engineers train may be seen.

Location Name:

TS212 - Berwick-upon-Tweed, Station

Location Notes:

A small town on the East Coast Main Line, almost midway between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
The Royal Border Bridge is immediately to the south of the station.

Railway type and traffic

Standard northern ECML passenger traffic: East Coast 91s and HSTs, Virgin Voyagers.
Freight consists of DB Schenker operated services from Scotland to Tyne yard and beyond ( Enterprise / Intermodal, Alcans, Steel, also sometimes Cartics and Pipes. Freightliner operates a weekly cement service from Oxwellmains to Seaham.

Location Name:

TS121 - Blue House Crossing

Location Notes:

Just east of East Boldon Metro station, 8 miles east of Newcastle Central.

Railway type and traffic

Metro's every 5/10 minutes in each direction. 2 trains per hour to and from Sunderland and the occasional Transpennine and freight service.

Location Name:

TS437 - Blyth, near Freemans LC, - from A189 Spine Road

Location Notes:

The North Blyth branch is a freight-only line in south east Northumberland, branching off the main Blyth and Tyne line south of Ashington. It previously used to also serve Blyth Power Station and Cambois (pronounced 'Cammus') depot. The nearest towns are Blyth and Ashington, with Morpeth and Newcastle not far away.

Railway type and traffic

Loaded and empty alumina (aluminium ore) from North Blyth to Lynemouth (a few miles north) and Fort William. There are two round trips on the branch each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon (not Saturdays), although the actual detail of these 'Blyth shunts' as they are known locally changes from time to time.

Location Name:

TS122 - Boldon Flats

Location Notes:

Just east of East Boldon Metro station.

Railway type and traffic

Metro's every 5/10 minutes in each direction. 2 trains per hour to and from Sunderland and the occasional Transpennine and freight service.

Location Name:

TS784 - Browney

Location Notes:

Browney is located about 4 miles south of Durham on the East Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger:
Hourly TPE 185s, East Coast HSTs and 91 MkIVs, Virgin Voyagers. Northern Rail 142, 156, 158 note that only limited to morning rush hour period, and a late evening service. Can be also seen running ECS to/from Heaton/Newcastle and Darlington/York.

Freight:
DB Schenker: 60 or 66, sometimes 92 on some night services.
Coal (HTA & MGR), Steel/ Aluminium, Auto, Oil, Enterprise, Limestone, Scrap.

GBRf: 66
Coal, Mud Oil (ran when required)

FLHH: 66
Coal

DRS: 20, 37, 47, 66
Kingmoor- Haverton Hill and rtn flats to/ off repair, light engine.

NR/ Serco Test Trains:
67s, Serco, NMT HST, DMUs, FMUs.

Engineers/ Track Machines various operators. These run as required.

Location Name:

TS1184 - Cragg Hall, Carlin How

Location Notes:

Cragg Hall is in East Cleveland situated just to the north west of the Village of Carlin How, the nearest Town is Saltburn by the Sea about 4 mile, also to the North west. The line is a Freight only line serving the Cleveland Potash Mine and TaTa Steel.

Railway type and traffic

The line sports only Class 66 Locomotives in the Freightliner Livery hauling the JGA Naco Wagons to and from the Cleveland Potash Mine, the Steel movements at the moment are very few and far between and seem to run as and when required, occasionally a charter will run down the branch usually on a weekend, but once again does not happen very often. In reality you are looking at around 10 movements during daylight hours (summertime).

Location Name:

TS91 - Darlington Bank Top

Location Notes:

Situated on the East Coast Main Line between York and Newcastle.

Railway type and traffic

This station sees regular East Coast, Virgin Cross Country and Arriva Trains Northern traffic. From 1 February 2004 it will be served by Transpennine Express. It hosts mail traffic and a large number of daily freight services. While the outside parts of the station have no platform monitors, there are regular services throughout the day and late into the evening. A Jarvis (soon to become Network Rail) depot close to the station often sees visiting tampers and other track machines. Network Rail's New Measurement Train "flying banana" HST visits every two weeks, passing north on every other Monday morning and returning early afternoon, though times can vary massively. New trains from Bombardier Transportation's Derby and Wakefield works sometimes make test runs to Darlington and back. Railtours pass the station almost every Saturday during the spring/summer/early autumn months. On a typical day, expect Classes 60, 66, 91, 142, 144, 156, 158, 220 and 221.

Location Name:

TS159 - Darlington, South Junction

Location Notes:

Located on the ECML just south of Darlington Bank Top station. The location is on Network Rail land, but is fenced off away from the railway line. Network Rail don't mind people using the area, which is also popular with local dog owners (so be careful what you stand in).

Update 19-08-08:
This area is now closed off, access is usually unavailable.

Railway type and traffic

The location overlooks a junction between the ECML and the Darlington-Middlesbrough line. It sees a wide variety of traffic, including East Coast, Virgin Cross Country, Trans Pennine Express and Arriva passenger services. DB Schenker and Freightliner run regular freight services throughout the day. Railtours and engineering/track recording trains are regular visitors, as well as diverted freight services at weekends.
Classes 43, 60, 66, 67, 91, 142, 156, 158, 220 and 221 can be seen throughout the day, plus occasional visits by other types of stock. Trains pass regularly throughout the day, so any time of the day is good.

Location Name:

TS150 - Dawdon

Location Notes:

The line runs from north to south, with Newcastle to the North. Through Gateshead, Sunderland, Seaham, Hartlepool to the Teesside area.

Railway type and traffic

DMU’s running between Newcastle & Teesside.

Booked freight, at the time of writing, includes:
DRS Flask Traffic. 6E44 Carlisle-Seaton and 6M60 return/
Freightliner Cement traffic..6E78 Earles-Seaham and 6M25 return: 6E90 Oxwellmains-Seaham and 6S26 return ( ***NOTE*** 6E90/6S26 can not be seen from the bridge at Dawdon just south of Seaham)

It should be remembered that these trains do not always run to their booked days.

Location Name:

TS95 - Durham

Location Notes:

On the East Coast Main Line approximately 14 miles South of Newcastle.

Railway type and traffic

East Coast - Roughly 1 train per hour in each direction, others will run non-stop through the station (Southbound through platform 1, Northbound through the centre line) operated by 91s and HSTs.
Virgin - 2 trains per hour in each direction operated by 220s/221s.
Northern Rail - 1 train every 2 hours to/from Newcastle and Middlesbrough Saltburn.
First Transpennine - 1 train per hour to and from Manchester

Freight - All freight services down the ECML will pass though Durham.
Network Rail - The NMT makes a jorney through Durham on Monday and Saturday each week!

Location Name:

TS197 - Eaglescliffe

Location Notes:

A railway station on the Darlington to Middlesbrough line, at the junction of the Eaglescliffe -Yarm - Northallerton line. The station is an island platform on the edge of a small town.

Railway type and traffic

The station is served by regular Northern Rail services from Bishop Auckland/Darlington & Saltburn formed of Class 142s and Class 156s. No Trans Pennine services stop at Eaglescliffe though there is an hourly service passing in each direction formed of Class 185s.
Services from the East Coast Main Line are also diverted when occasional engineering demands it. These consist of Virgin Trains East Coast HSTs and 225s hauled by Class 67s. Locomotives travelling to and from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway also pass through.
A variety of freight traffic passes through, usually hauled by Class 66s with the occasional Class 60 and Class 70. DB Cargo, GBRf and Freightliner all pass through this station on a daily basis.

Location Name:

TS49 - Glaisdale

Location Notes:

Located about 30 miles South East of Middlesbrough and 10 miles South West of Whitby, on the Esk Valley line.

Railway type and traffic

One train runs back and forth between Middlesbrough and Whitby. During the week this is usually a 144 but on weekends it could be any of Arriva's units.
There are also occasional extra trains to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Grosmont.

Location Name:

TS1180 - Grangetown Box, Teeside

Location Notes:

This location is on the Teesport road Off the A66, the nearest towns are Redcar and Middlesbrough. The line incorporates the Saltburn to Darlington Branch , but also supports Tees Dock, the Freightliner Depot at Wilton and the various Steel plants, including the Blast Furnace that is to be re lit in early December 2011.

Railway type and traffic

The line sees local passenger Traffic operated by class 142s and 156s.
Freight consists of the Cleveland Potash Traffic (cl66) plus various traffic from the port I.e coal, container,etc. and once the Blast furnace is back on line hopefully the Lime Trains will reappear.

Location Name:

TS46 - Haltwhistle

Location Notes:

Located about 20 miles East of Carlisle, on the Tyne Valley line.

Railway type and traffic

Local services are typically operated by 142s or 156s. There are also some freight services over this line, mainly operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner 66s. This line has also been used as a diversionary route for Virgin services when the West Coast has been blocked north of Carlisle.

Location Name:

TS1267 - Hartlepool, A689 bridge

Location Notes:

A busy road bridge over the Durham coast line, adjacent to Hartlepool station. A set of steps on the south side of the bridge lead down to the railway station itself, while offering a further vantage point.

Railway type and traffic

The principal passenger operator is Northern, with an hourly service between Newcastle and Nunthorpe usually worked by Class 142s, with the occasional Class 156s. Grand Central HSTs and Class 180s also pass by, along with regular freight services, predominantly GBRf and Freightliner coal trains with a semi-regular DRS nuclear flask working between Sellafield and Hartlepool power station. Other passenger and freight operators can be diverted around the coast on occasion.

Location Name:

TS988 - Hartlepool, Newburn Bridge

Location Notes:

Newburn Bridge is an ideal location all year round for the sun on the front of all southbound trains due to the curve.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger:
At the moment the passenger service is a mixture of Northern Rail Class 142, 156, 158, with Grand Central services using their HSTs.
Northern Rail operates an hourly service during Mon-Sat in both directions with services to/ from Middlesbrough- Necastle/ Hexham/ Carlisle. Times are at Hartlepool are northbound 02 past the hour, southbound 15 past the hour.

Test Trains:
They have been a recent up surge in Test Train usage on the Durham Coast Line through Hartlepool. Also Inspection Saloons can be seen operating. These include the NMT HST, Class 31, 57, 66 & 67 hauled trains.

Charter Trains:
Not that many charter services have used the Durham Coast Line, but when they do operate they can be hauled by a range of Classes including noted 31, 33, 37, 47, 56, 57, 60, 66 & 67.

Freight:
Freight services are currently operated by DRS, DB Schenker, FLHH, GBRf, with a range of traction from 20, 37, 47, 57, 60 & 66.
DRS operates flask traffic, 20, 37, 47, 57, 66.
DB Schenker operates Aluminium Ingot, Lime, Coal Hoppers. 60 & 66.
FLHH operates Cemnet traffic. 66.
GBRf operates Tyne Dock- Drax Coal. 66.

Other notes of the line:
The Durham Coast Line is a diversionary route for the ECML between Darlington- Durham- Newcastle.
Thus this is usually mainly freight when diversions are on. As the Tyne & Wear Metro extension to Sunderland put to a stop to regular diverted ECML passenger trains, due to a lack of paths between Pelaw- Sunderland.
When the signalling upgrade project is completed The Durham Coast Line through Hartlepool has been said will be "hammered" by freight, so could see DRS, DB Schenker, FLHH, GBRf and other operators services using the coastline, to free up paths on the ECML.

Location Name:

TS938 - Haydon Bridge Station

Location Notes:

A quiet wayside station on the Newcastle - Carlisle line, with signalbox, wheel-worked level crossing gates and semaphores.

Railway type and traffic

Hourly passenger service (usually class 156s), although not all stop at Haydon Bridge.
Some freight (including at weekends) and the line is also a diversionary route from the ECML and sees East Coast HSTs every so often.

Location Name:

TS992 - Hexham Station

Location Notes:

Hexham is a market town on the Tyne Valley, roughly 25 miles west of Newcastle and 40 miles east of Carlisle.

Railway type and traffic

Hexham sees a clock face passenger timetable for the services along the Tyne Valley. There are 2 services from Newcastle (1 of which terminates at Hexham, while the other continues to Carlisle) every hour, while there is 1 service every hour from Carlisle. Most services are run by a Northern Rail Class 142/156 and sometimes a 158. There are also 2 return services run by a ScotRail 156 from Newcastle to Stranraer.
There is also a number of freight movements through Hexham, with DB Schenker, DRS and Freightliner running numerous workings every day. Expect to see anything from the following - 20/37/47/57/60/66.
Because Hexham is on the diversionary route for when the ECML is closed north of Newcastle, many trains will be diverted when the ECML is blocked. National Express East Coast use HSTs along this line, while CrossCountry did use Voyagers along this line. Diversion season is usually on weekends between late September and mid November.

Location Name:

TS455 - Manors Station

Location Notes:

Manors station is the first station any train will pass going north on the ECML out of Newcastle Central. Until the late 1970s, trains ran through to Jesmond on the Tyneside Loop, however with the introduction of the Metro, the mainline Manors station was severely rationalised. Today the station is a shadow of it's former self, with only one centre platform in (rare) use.

Railway type and traffic

As it is the first station northwards on the ECML from Newcastle Central, all northbound services will pass through. East Coast trains to Edinburgh and Virgin trains to Glasgow and Dundee are the main passenger services, with Northern Rail services to Morpeth and Chathill. Chathill services will stop at Manors, but the amount of passengers is usually below ten. Further along the line is Heaton T&RSMD for Northern Rail, which throws up some very interesting empty carriage movements.
Typical units to be seen include: Classes 43,60,66,91,142,156,158, Virgin Voyagers and sometimes TPE units.
Freight consists usually of coal from Scotland to Yorkshire. There are workings from Blyth of aluminium ingots on steel flats (DB Schenker) and powedered alumia (Freightliner).
The Network Rail New Measurement train (Flying Banana) is also regularly based at Heaton. There are also many special charter traisn which will pass by too.

As of late 2007, Grand Central trains which will run from Sunderland to London will have their trains based at Heaton. Therefore empty workings will have to pass through Manors.

Location Name:

TS489 - Metrocenter

Location Notes:

The railway station for Europe's biggest shopping centre, it sits on the Newcastle - Hexham - Carlisle line.
The line is also authorised as a diversion route, if the ECML is closed between Newcastle and Berwick.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger traffic is worked by Northern rail, usually using class 142 Pacers or 156 sprinters. The odd working is provided by First Scotrail, and these are normally 156 worked.
Freight is worked mainly by DB Schenker, though the odd DRS loco also appears at times on the line.

Location Name:

TS435 - Middlesborough, Cargo Fleet

Location Notes:

Situated on the Darlington - Middlesbrough - Saltburn line, east of central Middlesbrough on Teesside.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger: Northern Rail DMUs every half an hour.
Freight: includes steel traffic to and from Lackenby and Redcar steelworks; coal to and from Redcar mineral terminal; potash and rock salt between Middlesbrough Goods and Boulby; Freightliners to and from Wilton; limestone to and from Redcar and Lackenby; trips to Tees Dock.

Location Name:

TS390 - Middlesborough, South Bank Station

Location Notes:

South Bank is in the Redcar and Cleveland borough Council area. A former heavy industrial area with shipbuilding and iron and steel works along the line from cargo fleet to Grangetown.

Railway type and traffic

Class 142,156,s on local to Redcar and stations to Saltburn. A morining peak and evening service of trains calling at South Bank railway station, please check timetable for details.
Potash and Salt from Cleveland Potash Mine at Boulby, East Cleveland.
Freightliner from Wilton and Teesdock.
Trial Limestone trains have now started, operated by Gbrf.
A few steel trains into and out of Lackerby yard for Tarta.
Frieghliner heavy haul imported coal from Redcar deep water wharf.
Some potash trains run round at Grangetown freight line and then use the link to the Potash Terimal and other lines here.

Location Name:

TS295 - Middlesbrough, South Bank

Location Notes:

An industrial area of Middlesbrough, on the south bank of the River Tees. Situated about 3 miles east of Middlesbrough station on the Darlington - Saltburn line; South Bank station is a little to the east.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger:
Half hourly Darlington (or Bishop Auckland) - Saltburn local service (Arriva Trains Northern, soon to become part of the new Northern Rail franchise), operated by class 142 and 156 DMUs.

Freight:
Lots of it - steel products and empties to and from Corus Lackenby (worked by DB Schenker class 60 and 66 locos);
Limestone to and from Redcar and Lackenby steelworks (DB Schenker class 60);
Coal to and from Redcar Mineral Terminal DB Schenker and Freightliner Heavy Haul);
Potash and rock salt between Boulby and Middlesbrough Goods DB Schenker class 66, with occasional class 60);
Freightliners to and from Wilton (class 66/5 and sometimes class 57);
Local trip workings to and from Tees Dock (any DB Schenker traction).

Note that it is usually possible to watch a freight depart from Tees Yard and get here before it does (or watch it pass here and then get to Tees Yard ahead of it) due to being held near Middlesbrough station or Cargo Fleet to cross to or from the goods lines.

Location Name:

TS120 - Morpeth foot crossing

Location Notes:

17 miles north of Newcastle on the ECML.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger:
East Coast - 2-3 trains per hour in each direction operated by 91’s & HST’s (Not many stop at Morpeth).
Virgin - 1 train per hour to & from Edinburgh operated by 220’s or 221’s (Not many stop).
Arriva - 1 train per hour from Newcastle in each direction operated by 142’s/156’s or 158’s.

Freight:
A number of DB Schenker and Freightliner services pass through the station. Usually coal or the occasional cartics.

Location Name:

TS939 - Morralee Bridge

Location Notes:

A bridge over the line west of Haydon Bridge (Northumberland) on the Newcastle - Carlisle line.

Railway type and traffic

Hourly passenger service (usually class 156s), although not all stop at Haydon Bridge.
Some freight (including at weekends) and the line is also a diversionary route from the ECML and sees East Coast HSTs every so often.

Location Name:

TS84 - Newcastle Central

Location Notes:

On the East Coast Main line where the Tyne Valley and Durham Coast lines join the main line.

Railway type and traffic

East Coast - 2 or 3 trains per hour in each direction operated by 91s and HSTs. The East Coast thunderbird (usually a class 67) sits in platform 12 when not being used.
Virgin - 1 train an hour to and from Edinburgh and 1 terminating service, these are operated by 220s/221s
Arriva - Plenty of local trains to Hexham/Carlisle/Morpeth/Sunderland/Middlesbrough and Transpennine services to Manchester.

Freight - Outside of peak hours there are a number of DB Schenker and Freightliner services through the station to/from the ECML heading north. There are also occasional trains into Forth Banks engineering sidings.

Location Name:

TS491 - Newcastle Quayside

Location Notes:

An unusual location, in that this is situated under three different lines. Serviced by the East Coast Main Line, Tyne and Wear metro, and local services to Sunderland and Hexham and beyond. The quayside is part of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Gateshead is just across the river.

Railway type and traffic

The River Tyne, and Newcastle, are famous for their bridges, and three of the seven bridges in the area carry rail traffic. The High Level Bridge is actually the oldest of the seven bridges over the Tyne, and carries the railway on the top, with the road underneath. In fact, it was the first bridge in the world to carry road and rail traffic. Although electrified, this bridge normally only carries local service DMUs.
The Metro Bridge, officially known as the Queen Elizabeth 2nd bridge, dates from 1981, and carries the Tyne and wear metro.
The King Edward Bridge carries the East Coast Main line, and is electrified for the purpose. It also carries freight, and local service DMUs, as well as Voyagers.
Incidentally, on the Gateshead side, the two Network rail Bridges have junctions going to the east and the west. This was designed to allow locomotives to access Gateshead TMD, from either bridge, but also means that trains from the east COULD cross the Tyne via the King Edward Bridge, and trains from the west COULD cross the Tyne via the high level bridge!
At the Gateshead end the metro enters the tunnels directly underneath the site of the former Gateshead TMD. That depot is now closed, and a housing scheme is being built upon it.

Location Name:

TS946 - Newcastle, Castle Keep

Location Notes:

Newcastle Castle Keep is a great vantage point for trains heading north to Morpeth and Edinburgh, and for trains running over the High Level Bridge to and from Sunderland. The Keep itself dates back to around 1080 and was constructed by the Normans. Over the years it became run down and was at time used as a prison and also shops. George Stevenson partly demolished the Castle in order to get the lines through to the north and to the High Level Bridge.

Railway type and traffic

Trains to see include National Express services to and from Scotland, Cross Country services, Northern Rail services to Morpeth and Chathill (and empty carriage movements to Heaton), all northbound freight, empty carriage workings for Grand Central trains and also National Express trains which terminate in Newcastle (both to Heaton), and occasionally a First Transpennine Express empty move to Heaton. The Network Rail NMT "Flying Banana" also regularly visits the Newcastle area, and is sometimes stabled at Heaton.

Location Name:

TS996 - Northallerton Station

Location Notes:

Northallerton is in North east England between Thirsk and Darlington on the East Coast Mainline. Also just outside the station is the Northallerton loop line where freight passes at certain times of the day.

Railway type and traffic

Common North ECML traffic including Classes 43, 91, 220/221 and 185s. There is a East Coast stopping train in each direction after every 2 hours or so and regular First Transpennine express 185s on the stopping trains. Most traffic runs through the station at speed but you get plenty of warning before something is coming due to the signals at either end of the station and the long view North towards Newcastle.
On the loop line expect to see DB Schenker, Freightliner, DRS and GBRF, classes 60 and 66.

Location Name:

TS1276 - Norwood Junction, Tyne and Wear

Location Notes:

Between Newcastle and Dunston on the Tyne Valley Line, where the spur from Tyne Yard/Low Fell joins the line.

Railway type and traffic

Frequent passenger trains to/from Metrocentre, Hexham and Carlisle. Also a diversionary route for East Coast to Scotland.
Various regular freight workings, plus RHTT in the autumn.
Occasional railtours use the route.

Location Name:

TS32 - Nunthorpe

Location Notes:

Situated about 5 miles south east of Middlesbrough.

Railway type and traffic

The Middlesbrough - Whitby service is usually operated by a class 144 during the week. There are also a few services that terminate at Nunthorpe in the morning/evening peaks, these and the weekend Whitby trains can be operated by anything Arriva have spare - generally 142s, 144s, 156s or occasionally 158s.

During the autumn there are RHTT trains that changes ends at Nunthorpe.
There are also occasional trains to Grosmont (NYMR) especially around the time of the diesel events.

Location Name:

TS209 - NYMR, Darnholm

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS424 - NYMR, Esk Valley

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS6 - NYMR, Fen Bog

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS9 - NYMR, Goathland Station

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS35 - NYMR, Grosmont

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS36 - NYMR, Grosmont Depot

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS422 - NYMR, Kingthorpe

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS10 - NYMR, Levisham Halt

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS7 - NYMR, Moorgates

Location Notes:

The location is just south of Goathland station.
Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS11 - NYMR, Newbridge

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS426 - NYMR, Newtondale

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS423 - NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS12 - NYMR, Pickering Station

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS425 - NYMR, Water Ark

Location Notes:

Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.

Railway type and traffic

The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Location Name:

TS1277 - Park Lane Junction, Tyne and Wear

Location Notes:

On the Durham Coast line where the line from Newcastle and the avoiding lines via Gateshead converge.
The shot available is looking west from the A184 bridge over a reasonably high wall, so steps may well be needed.

Railway type and traffic

Frequent passenger trains to/from Sunderland and Middlesborough. Empty Grand Central stock moves to/from Sunderland.
Various regular freight workings.
Occasional railtours.

Location Name:

TS518 - Plasworth

Location Notes:

This location is mid way between Chester-le-Street and Durham on the East Coast Main Line.
It is a road bridge over railway line. Line passes across open fields to north with the possibility of shots from both the east and west. It is possible to get a view with Penshaw Monument and Lumley Castle in the background.
To the south the line drops into cutting with tree cover, and is not really suitable for photography.

Railway type and traffic

Standard northern East Coast Main Line traffic. Mainly passenger workings in the shape of East Coast 91s and HSTs as well as units, and a small smattering of some freight.

Location Name:

TS31 - Saltburn by the Sea - Riding School

Location Notes:

Situated about 25 miles east of Middlesbrough

Railway type and traffic

Local passenger services to Saltburn plus potash freight trips to and from Boulby.

Location Name:

TS151 - Seaham

Location Notes:

The line runs from north to south, with Newcastle to the North. Through Gateshead, Sunderland, Seaham, Hartlepool to the Teesside area.

Railway type and traffic

DMU’s running between Newcastle & Teesside.

Booked freight, at the time of writing, includes:
DRS Flask Traffic. 6E44 Carlisle-Seaton and 6M60 return/
Freightliner Cement traffic..6E78 Earles-Seaham and 6M25 return:

It should be remembered that these trains do not always run to their booked days. The cement trains run to the Seaham Harbour Dock Company premises known as Cargo Durham, this facility can be seen from a public area and you can see if there is a train discharging there.

Location Name:

TS1045 - Shipton-by-Ouso

Location Notes:

The location is at the up side of the The East Cost Mainline next to The Sidings restaurant just of the A19 North of York.

Railway type and traffic

Passenger from NXEC, X-Country, Trans-Pennine express and Freight trains from DB Schenker, GBRF, Freightliner pass at regular intervals.

Location Name:

TS33 - Tees Yard

Location Notes:

Situated between Thornaby and Middlesbrough stations

Railway type and traffic

Local passenger services are operated by 142s or 156s. The Transpennine services are usually operated by 158s There is a good mix of freight traffic through the yard operated by 60s and 66s.
There is usually a number of locos in and around the TMD too along with the stored locos.

Location Name:

TS1026 - Thornaby Station

Location Notes:

The station is in an industrial area of Teeside and is the first station out of Middlesbrough heading towards Newcastle or Darlington. The station is a small island platform with a medium sized car park in the middle.

Railway type and traffic

The traffic is usually formed of Northern 142s and 156s on the Saltburn/Darlington services and also on the Middlesbrough/Newcastle and Hexham services. Transpennine Express operate an hourly service in each direction to Manchester Airport formed of 185s.
Freight is on the decline though as Tees Yard is just after the Station this is an ideal spot. The Bottom end of the yard is visible and expect DB Cargo 66s and the occasional DBC Class 60. Most freight is DBC with Freightliner supplying two Eastbound and one Westbound Freightliner service during daylight hours. There will be occasional GBRf moves as they stable a rake of wagons in Tees Yard.

Location Name:

TS161 - Tyne Green Crossing

Location Notes:

A foot / bridleway crossing located roughly halfway between Newcastle and Carlisle.
The location is around 0.5 miles down the Tyne Valley line from Hexham station, towards Carlisle. It is situated between Hexham's Tyne Green Country Park on the north side of the line, and various industrial sites on the south side of the line.

Railway type and traffic

The passenger services is the hourly service from Carlisle to Newcastle/Middlesbrough, which is ordinarily opeated by 142s or 156s dependent on origin/destination.
There are also a number of freight workings, often by class 66s.
Occasionally engineering work will divert ECML/WCML workings along the line.

Location Name:

TS1120 - Tyne Yard, Smithy Lane

Location Notes:

The location itself is the northern throat of Tyne Yard (DB Schenker, formerly EWS). It is to the side of the East Coast main line, south of Newcastle. Just east of a small village called Lamesley.

Railway type and traffic

ECML passenger traffic (East Coast, Cross Country, FirstTranspennine, occasional Northern Rail) and quite a few freight trains - esp. DB Schenker. Plus stock that is stabled at Tyne Yard. Even the occasional steam loco for refilling.

Location Name:

TS712 - Wallsend Footbridge

Location Notes:

Just outside the Redesdale Park and Parklands housing estates in Wallsend, this is a footbridge over the East Coast Main Line as it comes north out of Newcastle.

Railway type and traffic

All ECML traffic northbound from Newcastle or southbound into Newcastle will pass under this bridge. In addition you will see a lot of local DMUs running from Newcastle up towards Morpeth and Berwick.
Freight trains are also known to traverse the route.

Location Name:

TS379 - Warrenby, Coatham Marsh

Location Notes:

Warrenby is a small settlement between the town of Redcar and the large Redcar Steel Works. It is on the line east from Middlesbrough towards Redcar, Saltburn and Boulby.

Railway type and traffic

There is a frequent local service usually provided by class 142 units between Bishop Aukland, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Saltburn. There are also freight trains to/from Boulby, mainly Pot-Ash and the occasional steel working.

Location Name:

TS378 - Widdrington

Location Notes:

Widdrington Station is a small village north of Morpeth on the East Coast Main Line. The separate village of Widdrington is a few miles away.

Railway type and traffic

There is a roughly half-hourly service between Newcastle and Edinburgh, provided by a mix of Voyagers and East Coast HSTs and class 91 hauled sets. There are also Anglo-Scottish Freight services routed via the East Coast. The local service is infrequent.

Location Name:

TS603 - Yarm Station

Location Notes:

It is in North Eastern England, in Teeside. The station is on the York to Middlesbrough line. The nearest cities being Ripon, York or Newcastle.

Railway type and traffic

The railway station is now servied by Transpennine express class 185 desiros, and next year, may well have Grand Central HSTs passing through.
You will also see a lot of freight pass through as it is on the main freight line from Teesport and Tees Yard.