Wansbeck Railway

Conceived as part of a through trunk route for the North British Railway, it never achieved its potential.

It had a station at Morpeth, and people in towns not connected to a railway realised they were at a disadvantage against those who were: materials brought in cost more, as did the transport of local manufactures to market.

The locality had long been prominent in the production of lime, used to improve acidic soil for agricultural purposes, and much in demand in the general area of Morpeth.

It was to cost £95,000 but, although the idea was favourably received, the scheme failed to generate action and it was dropped.

The BUR was sponsored by the North British Railway and, when it opened, its line became known as The Waverley Route.

The line was opened as far as Scotsgap on 23 July 1862; trains were worked by the North British Railway, although the stub of route was not physically connected to the NBR.

Running entirely through sparsely populated rural areas, and with the anticipated riches of the Plashetts coal field now being shown to be disappointing, the Wansbeck Railway was suddenly of doubtful commercial value.

[1][2] The North British Railway (Wansbeck and Finances) Act of 21 July 1863 empowered the amalgamation.

[1][5] The NBR was already a majority shareholder, so there was no urgency in carrying out the merger, but it was accomplished sometime about March or April 1864.

The connection with the Border Counties Railway at Reedsmouth had been planned to allow through running from Riccarton towards Morpeth, but that was now inappropriate, and the intended junction faced south instead.

The line was worked by train staff and ticket; the block posts intermediately were Scotsgap and Woodburn.

A siding for the purpose was installed at Broomhill, near Woodburn, and there was a narrow gauge tramway from there to the dam.

In the first decades of the twentieth century heavy military traffic arose because of camps in the area as well as artillery ranges.

[note 3] The already limited traffic had been further reduced by motor lorries and buses since the 1930s and closure to passengers became inevitable; it took place in September 1952.