Doncaster–Swinton line

The Doncaster–Swinton line is a short railway line in South Yorkshire between Swinton Junction on the Wakefield line and Dearne Valley line and Doncaster South Yorkshire Junction on the East Coast Main Line. The line serves the intermediate stations of Mexborough and Conisbrough, and is used by stopping Northern Trains services as well as non-stopping TransPennine Express and CrossCountry services.

The line was originally opened in 1849 by the South Yorkshire Railway, but was operated by the Midland Railway. At its opening it had three stations, Swinton, Conisbrough, and Doncaster. A chord, called the Swinton Curve, was added that connected the line to the Midland Railway in Swinton in 1872, allowing through services from Sheffield to Doncaster. The line saw significant decline in the early- and mid-1900s, with Sprotbrough station, Swinton Central station, and the Swinton Curve all being closed, and a half-hourly stopping service between Doncaster and Mexborough being the only service.

In the 1980s and 1990s the Swinton Curve was reopened, a new station at Swinton built, and Mexborough station refurbished. This allowed through trains to use the Sheffield–Doncaster link again and stopping trains to travel further as well. Mexborough station was the recipient of further upgrade works in the 2000s.