The Anonymous Widower

Darlington And Bishop Auckland – 26th June 2025

My second trip out from Darlington was to Bishop Auckland station and I took these pictures on the way up and down.

Note.

1. Bishop Auckland station is a one-platform station, but all the other stations seem to be two-platform stations.
2. The railway museum; Locomotion seems to be within walking distance of Shildon station.
3. There is a short section of electrified track, that Hitachi use to test trains and get them to the East Coast Main Line.

The stations seemed tidy and clean, but more step-free access is needed.

I have some further thoughts.

The Location Of Hitachi Rail

This Google Map shows the location of Hitachi Rail.

Note.

1. Heighington station on the Tees Valley Line is marked by the red arrow.
2. Hitachi Rail is the large building in the South-West corner of the map.
3. There appear to be electrified sidings to the North of the factory, which have a connection to the Tees Valley Line.

From the map it looks efficient and well-designed.

Could The Services On The Branch Be Run By Battery-Electric Trains?

I don’t think there would be too many problems.

• Bishop Auckland and Darlington is only twelve miles.
• Both platforms at Darlington used by Tees Valley Line services are electrified.
• The single platform at Bishop Auckland station could be fitted with one of Siemens’s Rail Charging Convertors.
• Hitachi at Newton Aycliffe might like some more formal electrification between Newton Aycliffe and Darlington stations.
• An electrified Tees Valley Line would surely be useful to Hitachi for showing the capabilities of battery-electric trains.

This would be a very easy line to run using battery-electric trains.

June 27, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Battery-Electric Trains, Bishop Auckland Station, Darlington Station, East Coast Main Line, Hitachi, Locomotion Museum, Museum, Siemens' Rail Charging Converter, Step-Free, Tees Valley Line, Tees Valley Metro