The Branchline Society is organizing a two-day loco hauled exploration of the Northeast to raise funds for Martin House Children's Hospice.
The weekend trip (3rd and 4th June 2023) will visit several freight installations and other interesting locations that rarely see a loco hauled passenger train. Some of these locations have never been visited by public passenger trains before.
The Saturday highlights include visits to Lynemouth Power Station, Tyne Yard, Battleship Wharf, and Tyne Dock PTA. On Sunday, the trip will cover the Teesside goods lines and branches to Wilton Energy from Waste and Heck Plasmor Terminal.
The charter will be operated by DB Cargo with Mk 2 coaching stock and will feature a mixture of Class 60 and Class 66 traction working in top ‘n tail formation. The organizers have also hinted that there may be a guest appearance from across the freight industry.
Thanks to Plasmore Ltd, the moves at Heck will be powered by a Rolls Royce industrial shunter, which previously worked at EDF Energy, Hartlepool. The trip will also feature a Buffet Car serving hot and cold drinks, hot food, snacks, and light refreshments. There will be a selection of hand-pulled real ales and ciders available.
A late afternoon leg stretch break/photo stop will be provided at Newcastle on Saturday and at Durham on Sunday. The Branchline Society will also hold a charity raffle each day, with all proceeds donated to Martin House Hospice. The organizers hope to have some fantastic items available for auction too.
In conclusion, the Branchline Society's two-day loco hauled exploration of the Northeast promises to be a fascinating and unique experience for railway enthusiasts. Not only will participants get to visit rare and interesting locations, but they will also be supporting a worthy cause in Martin House Hospice.
Indicative routing and timings:
Saturday – Tabs on the Tyne
Doncaster P4 (PU 07.41) – York P9 (PU 08.26) – Thirsk (RM) – Thirsk Sidings (RM) – Croft Dn Passenger Loop – Darlington P4 (PU 09.39) – Durham Through Line – Tyne Yard Up Staging – Lamesley Crossover (RM) – Tyne Yard Depot Line (RM) – Low Fell Jn – Newcastle P7 (PU/SD 11.22) – Dn Sunderland – Park Lane Jn – Tyne Dock Intermodal (RM) – Dn Pelaw Goods Loop – King Edward Bridge East Jn – Newcastle Down Up Slow – Heaton Dn Goods Loop – Benton North Jn – Bedlington Jn – Battleship Wharf (RM) – Battleship Wharf GF – Winning Crossing Jn – Lynemouth Power Station (RM) – Ashington Jn – Benton North Jn – Newcastle P3 (SD 16.37; Break)
Newcastle P4 (PU 18.23) – Up Sunderland – Up East Boldon Loop – Sunderland – Hartlepool P3 – Up Cliff House Loop – Stockton Cut Jn – Dinsdale – Darlington P3 Bay (RM; SD 20.06) – Thirsk – York P9 (SD 21.15) – Doncaster P4 (SD 21.56)
Sunday – The Steely Spires
Doncaster P4 (PU 09.26) – York P5 (PU 10.13) – Skelton Bridge Dn Slow to Dn Fast – Boroughbridge Road LC – Yarm – Eaglescliffe P2 (PU 11.03) – Thornaby East Jn – Down Staging Sidings – Middlesbrough Dn Slow – South Bank Jn – Grangetown Jn – Beam Mill Jn – Shell Jn – Wilton EFW (RM) – Shell Jn – South Bank Jn – Middlesbrough Up Fast – Up Goods No 2 – Transfer Line – Tees Yard – Thornaby – Norton S Jn – Norton W Jn – Ferryhill S Jn – Durham P2 (SD 16.26; Break)
Durham P1 (PU 18.25) – Darlington P1 (SD 18.47) – York P5 (SD 19.28) – Hambleton North Jn – Hambleton East Jn – Selby Canal Curve – Heck Groundframe (RM) – Heck Plasmor (RM) – Doncaster P4 (SD 21.10)
Passengers will be required to arrange their own overnight accommodation, suitable for Doncaster or York.
FARES:
First Class, Non-Dining, at a guaranteed table for two
£365.00
First Class, Non-Dining
£340.00
Standard Class
£215.00
