ECML North East Mod

ECML North East Mod

This section of the East Coast Mainline has possibly the most confusing history, as it’s route has been deviated many times and has been in the ownership of many different companies.
First, the Pontop and South Shields Railway opened in 1834, as mostly a wagonway with many inclines powered by stationary engines, between Consett and the river Tyne at South Shields, via Annfield Plain and Washington.
The Durham Junction Railway opened in 1839 to provide a branch line from the Pontop and South Shields Railway to Rainton, where there was more collieries.
Meanwhile, in the south, the London and North Western Railway operated between London and Manchester, and the Midland Railway branched off the LNWR at Rugby, extending the railway to Leeds. the York and North Midland Railway branched off the Midland Railway at Normanton, extending the railway to York. The next step was to extend the railway northwards.
The Great North of England Railway was the one to do this, opening in 1841, extending the railway to Darlington, where it joined the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
The Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway finally connected these two groups of railways in 1844, between Darlington and Rainton. With this, it was possible to travel between London and Newcastle just by train.
Eventually, all these railways merged into the York and Newcastle Railway, and then into the North Eastern Railway.
It wasn’t until 1872 that the mainline we know today opened between Ferryhill and Newcastle, via Durham and Chester-le-Street.
This map allows you to re-create all the routes of the East Coast Mainline between York and Newcastle, with branches such as:
– The Tees Valley Line
– The Durham Coast Line
– The Leeds Northern Railway between Northallerton and Harrogate
– The Easingwold Railway
And many more!
This version of the map has industries placed approximately where they are in reality.