This map and the text below is taken from the Friends of the NRM publication “Two Palaces of Business”
At that date what was to become the NER had a route length of 720 miles, representing a capital investment of some twenty million pounds. By the end of 1921 its route mileage had increased to 1,750 (including a small share of joint line) and the issued capital was £82 million.
Note how the main line followd a roundabout route to the East of Durham and passed through Knottingley en rouite fron York to Doncaster.
