THE TYNE VALLEY LINE
MAKING its way from Tyneside through rural Northumberland and on into Cumbria, the Tyne Valley Line has been known for the beauty of its surroundings since its early days.
In 1839, the year after the full route was officially inaugurated, Scott’s Railway Companion enthused about the “scenery on and contiguous to the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.” Completed and opened in stages between 1835 and 1838, it was the first railway to run the breadth of the country and, covering a distance of 60 miles between Newcastle and Carlisle, is the second longest of the east-west routes that span the north of England.
Today, as well as providing an important link between the two cities, it is a vital part of the diversionary route for Anglo-Scottish LNER trains when the East Coast Main Line (ECML) is closed north of Morpeth, but still retains much of its historic character.
As well as providing an east-west connection for commuters, particularly in the summer months, the line attracts walkers and tourists keen to explore what’s often termed ‘Hadrian’s Wall Country’ as much of the route is within a few miles of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, they aren’t the only types of leisure passenger. The Metrocentre station, opened in August 1987 alongside the shopping centre of the same name, is one of the busiest on the line. On weekends, travel to nights out at various destinations on the route also accounts for extra
