Doncaster Avoiding Line

The line was passed in an Act of Parliament in 1903 but work did not commence until 5 years later.

The only junction in between was Sprotborough Junction, opened in 1916, where connections were made with the Hull and Barnsley and Great Central Joint Railway.

The line was worked under permissive block regulations, but these were suspended when passenger trains were to work over the line and absolute block substituted.

There was a rising gradient towards Hexthorpe Junction which if trains were heavy and had been stood in the queue from Sprotborough Junction a banking locomotive was provided.

This locomotive also was used on the "Top Yard" to York Road goods and when it was away from its post Doncaster's passenger pilot locomotive would deputise if required The line is still open and fulfils its original purpose, even more important today with faster trains on the East Coast Main Line in both freight and passenger.