(27 May 2013, 8:16 pm)aureolin wrote

(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.
   

I don't think there would be able to use the existing track anyways as there havn't been maintained and have subsidence under the track, new houses with owners that are built next to disused lines would of been told before purchase that the line could be re activated in years to come, its only because BR/Railtrack sold the land close by to the rails, wasn't the government a couple of years ago stepped in to stop land being purchased next to railway lines.

Doesn't take much for Nissan to purchase land right next to leamside line in Washington and build a unit to take the cars etc.. by rail to the the port.

Wasn't it the government wanted the freight of the rails and onto roads in the first place.

If the leamside was open it would present a case for the Metro loop (In which Nexus wanted in the first place), Nissan Goods, Hitachi factory goods, secondly emergency line in something happens around Birtley area instead or re route through Sunderland.