Despite the rain, I had a very enjoyable day with SENRUG Committee Member Andrew Carmichael starting in Ashington Community Woods, following the track of the privately owned freight line from Ashington to Butterwell (as far as could be done from public land), which then rejoins the East Coast Main Line at Stobswood. I had to agree with Andrew that this route could easily be brought into service as a double track line creating a second freight and diversionary route for main line services between Benton Junction and Stobswood, maybe even for local trains between Ashington and Alnmouth. Leaving Ashington, the line is pretty much dead straight for long sections and reasonable speeds could easily be obtained. But first, we have to get the main Ashington Blyth & Tyne Line re-opened. Meanwhile, this alignment must be protected. The East Coast Main Line between Newcastle and Berwick is bound to run out of capacity soon. Here is the answer ready and waiting. Ultimately we suspect both the Ashington Blyth and Tyne itself will and this Ashington – Stobswood section will need to be electrified. An east to north facing junction also needs to be constructed at Stobswood.
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