(27 May 2013, 7:52 pm)cbma06 wrote I think the next extensions will be getting the south hylton to pelaw done, but need railtrack to play ball and there also hoped the new train factory would use the line also , nexus cant fund it just by themselves, the next easy one will be the old line between east boldon and tyne dock unless theres houses built on that old section

It's looking more and more unlikely by the day unfortunately the line behind the new estate at Penshaw has been taken up over the past few month, so there's even less track there now. Even if the track was there, it runs extremely close to the said estate, which could potentially carry a lot of objections if a case for reopening was presented.

It's always struck me that Metro alone wouldn't be a business case to get the line reopened though. Two things I've thought of that would certainly push the business case are;

1. Nissan - Create a really short freight line (or even loop) from the dual track between Usworth and Barmston, linking to the Nissan plant.
   
2. Follingsby - Build a new freight depot, or work with existing couriers in the area (Citylink, Parcelforce, etc) to create a small freight network linking on to the mainline.