Former station building at Scotsgap on the 'Wannie Line', Northumberland

Image: © Ralph Rawlinson Taken: 3 Feb 2006

The Wansbeck Railway, linking Reedsmouth and Morpeth, 25 miles to the east, was sponsored by the North British Railway. Scotsgap to Morpeth opened in 1862 and the following year the company was absorbed by the NBR, who saw the possibility of having a route from Edinburgh to Newcastle via Riccarton Junction, Reedsmouth and Morpeth then over the Blyth & Tyne Railway. The North Eastern Railway also saw this possibility and prevented it by absorbing the BTR in 1874. Reesdmouth to Scotsgap opened in 1865 and this was followed in 1870 by the Northumberland Central's branch from Scotsgap - Rothbury. Its subsequent absorption by the NBR two years later led to the Morpeth - Rothbury line becoming the major route. The Wannie line was the name given to the fourteen mile section between Reedsmouth and Scotsgap which operated as a feeder service, although there were never more than three passenger trains daily in each direction. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1952 and the line closed to all traffic in 1966.

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