(02 Mar 2013, 6:28 pm)Brandon wrote Almost forgot I saw two East Coast trains on the Durham Coast Line through Sunderland this afternoon, one in each direction. Don't think I've ever seen it happen myself before but I guess it might happen more times than I've realised!
Photos by Graeme Phillips - http://www.flickr.com/photos/66289212@N07/8522131000/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66289212@N07/8521931968/
Diversion is in place until tomorrow -
http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/
"Engineering work between Darlington and Newcastle from 13:30 on Saturday 2 until 12:30 on Sunday 3 March 2013"
"An hourly diverted train service will run between York and Newcastle, not calling at Darlington and Durham"
There's also some travel information for trains by other operators.
I remember back in the 90's GNER would often divert onto the Durham Coast, I have been in both directions on a diverted NCL-LKX Service, it was amusing because it once came to a standstill in Sunderland coming down from London, there was a bloke demanding the guard open a door to let him off the train in Sunderland, why, becaise he lived in Hendon, he was not amused at being taking against his will to Newcastle, even though his ticket to there. These days I don't know if it is still a common diversion as the 91's are out of gauge going through S'land i think.
Other diversions I have been on with GNER locally is Nothallerton-Picton onto the Stillington Line to Durham