Geograph - photograph every grid square

This is the Leamside Line, which previously linked the East Coast Mainline south of Durham with Heworth in Gateshead, passing through Washington.
With passenger services withdrawn in 1954, it was consigned to freight use only (as a 'Mineral Railway' for coal). It had served as the East Coast line until 1872, when it was diverted to the west of Durham city.

This section, south of Sherburn towards the mainline, is due to have the tracks lifted imminently. Trees and vegetation have been removed from the line in anticipation of this work. The trackbed is not to be sold and all plans to reinstate the line have been deferred until at least 2019. The line was first opened in 1839.