Authorised in 1899 as the Gosforth and Ponteland Light Railway, the line was built to provide a passenger service to link the communities to the north west of Newcastle upon Tyne — including Ponteland, Kenton, Fawdon, Coxlodge, and West Gosforth, with the city and the North Eastern Railway's network.
Douglas' father William Longleg was Lord of Fawdon, and had as his superior Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus, Longleg was acquitted of withholding rents by a jury, Umfraville notwithstanding attacked Fawdon, imprisoned Longleg at Harbottle Castle and made off with some £100 sterling of goods.