| Durham Coast Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Overview | |||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| Locale | |||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 11 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Heavy rail | ||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Operator(s) | |||
| Rolling stock | |||
| History | |||
| Opened | 1833–1905 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 39.5 miles (63.6 km)[1] | ||
| Number of tracks | 2 | ||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | ||
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC (between Pelaw Junction & Sunderland South Junction) | ||
| |||
The Durham Coast Line is an approximately 39.5-mile (63.6 km) railway line running between Newcastle and Middlesbrough in North East England. Heavy rail passenger services, predominantly operated Northern Trains, and some freight services operate over the whole length of the line; it provides an important diversionary route at times when the East Coast Main Line is closed. Light rail services of the Tyne and Wear Metro's Green Line also operate over the same tracks between a junction just south of Sunderland station and Pelaw Junction (just east of Pelaw Metro station).
The line developed from several small competing independent railway companies during the first half of the 19th century which ultimately came under the control of the North Eastern Railway. It was under their direction that these lines were gradually linked together to eventually create the Durham Coast Line in 1905.[2]
- ^ "Delivering a better railway for a better Britain: Route Specifications 2019 London North Eastern and East Midlands" (PDF). Network Rail. April 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ Line Diagrams of the North Eastern Railway: Stockton – Hartlepool – Sunderland – Newcastle. North Eastern Railway Association. 2008. p. 1. ISBN 9781873513682.