Postcard from Prudhoe

156489 approaches Prudhoe with 2A34 from Carlisle (13.32) to Morpeth

Plans are being developed by Network Rail for a re-signalling of the charming Tyne Valley Line between Newcastle and Carlisle, which would see loss of semaphore signalling at a number of delightful locations, most photogenic of all being Prudhoe.

Here, 12 miles west of Newcastle, a tall and rather magnificent North Eastern Railway (NER) signal box dating from the early 1870s stands on the north side of the line, just west of the station and a level crossing.

156469 approaches signal PE40 with 2W31 from Nunthorpe (12.18) to Hexham

Apart from its impressive signal box, what makes Prudhoe such an attractive photo-spot is the now-unique chance to see – from a foot crossing some distance west of the station – eastbound services passing three consecutive semaphore signals.

156488 arrives at Prudhoe with 1N68 from Carlisle (13.55) to Newcastle

There are a total of seven semaphores here that are controlled from Prudhoe’s 45-lever frame, all but one of which can be seen from the station platforms. Four semaphores in the eastbound (up) direction comprise outer home (PE15) – the only one not visible from the station – home (PE16) starter (PE17) and section (PE18).

156488 departs Prudhoe with 1N68 from Carlisle (13.55) to Newcastle

The westbound trio comprise an outer home (PE42) hidden behind a sighting board, home signal PE41 at the end of the down platform and section signal PE40, whose sighting board had fallen off at the time of my last visit in June 2022, but has since been replaced.

156469 passes up section signal PE18 with 2N34 from Hexham (14.56) to Battersby

Up outer home signal PE15 stands some 400 yards west of the station, close to the foot crossing of the line that gives a vantage point from which to see trains passing it, and then, heading towards Newcastle, passing all three of the other up signals.

156482 arrives at Prudhoe with 2W35 from Whitby (11.59) to Hexham

Almost three years after my last visit (June 2022) I decided to pay a return visit to Prudhoe (22 April 2025) while spending a couple of nights in Newcastle, in order to capture more images of trains passing the semaphores here before they are swept away in the name of progress.

156482 departs with 2W35 from Whitby (11.59) to Hexham

Regular passenger traffic passing Prudhoe comprises half-hourly Newcastle/Morpeth-Carlisle workings along with hourly services operating between Hexham and the Durham Coast Line that continue on to a variety of destinations, including Nunthorpe, Battersby and Whitby on the Esk Valley Line.

As I wrote following my previous visit, besides savouring the historic railway signalling it is also well worth taking a look at the 1883-vintage Ovingham Bridge, an impressive single-lane steel structure spanning the Tyne immediately north of the railway station, as seen above.