Selby Diversion

Selby Diversion
Routes of the ECML, Selby diversion is northern half of the 1983 route (Black)
Overview
Other name(s)	Selby Deviation
Termini	Temple Hirst Jn Colton Jn
Stations	None
Services	ECML
Line number	LN600
Operation
Opened	1983 by British Rail
Owner	Network Rail
Technical
Line length	13.79 mi (22.19 km)13 mi 63 ch
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Operating speed	201 km/h (125 mph)
Route number	ECM3
Route map ECML (former Y&NMR) Leeds/South – York River Derwent Leeds–Selby Line Leeds – Hambleton Jn – Selby Selby Canal River Aire ECML (former York–Doncaster Line Doncaster/South – Selby

The Selby Diversion is a mainline railway in the United Kingdom, built as a new part of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) to avoid an area of potential subsidence over the newly discovered Selby Coalfield.

The line opened in 1983, running roughly northwest from a junction on the ECML near Temple Hirst, south of Selby, to a junction near Church Fenton, south of York.

As of 2015, the line is used primarily by long-distance north-south services, as well as some freight trains. Most freight trains have been diverted from the line by the opening of the North Doncaster Chord Project which was completed in June 2014.

From the northern end, the line runs off a junction with the southwesterly former York and North Midland Railway mainline from York south to Church Fenton and Brotherton; the line turns south, crossing the River Wharfe. At the Leeds and Selby Line, the line travels under the east-west railway, with junctions allowing trains from York to continue east to Selby, and trains from the south to continue west to Leeds (see Hambleton junction). The line then runs southeast to a junction with the former York and Doncaster Branch Line (Selby to Doncaster section), joining the line at a junction near the village of Temple Hirst, just south of its crossing of the River Aire.

The line forms part of the East Coast Main Line (ECML), and part of section Network Rail's SRS (Strategic Route Section) G.07 track section (Colton junction-Doncaster) as line number LN600. The line is electrified at 25 kV AC using Mark 3b equipment, the route availability is 10, loading gauge is W9, and maximum permissible speed is 125 miles per hour (201 km/h). The line is signalled using multiple aspect signalling under Track Circuit Block regulations.