Newcastle is a major rail centre on the East Coast Main
Line between London and Edinburgh. Trains cross the River
Tyne on one of two bridges, the High Level Bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, and the King Edward
VII Bridge, allowing north-south trains to continue without reversing. This
simulation is based on the layout of the 1950's, including the famed and highly complex diamond crossing to the east of the station.
The meticulously detailed timetable is based on the December 1954 services,
with a wide variety of ex-LNER steam classes, including Gresley Pacifics on
the ECML expresses. The North Tyneside and South Tyneside suburban services
are electrified using the third rail DC system.