The loop line opened between 1871 and 1876 and followed the former Wylam waggonway past the cottage where George Stephenson was born.

Following Dr Beeching's report in 1963 it was proposed that the original Newcastle & Carlisle line should close between Scotswood and Wylam.

The railway began operating freight trains in 1834 between Blaydon and Hexham, and passengers were carried for the first time the following year.

[7] The route of the line followed the Wylam Waggonway for a mile (1.6 km), past the cottage in which George Stephenson was born.

[15] In the 1930s the service between Newcastle Central and North Wylam was operated by Sentinel steam railcars; these were replaced by LNER Class G5 0-4-4T locomotives with a push-pull unit.

The following year BR proposed closing the line to the north of the Tyne, this was successful and passenger traffic withdrawn on 11 March 1968.