as part of the 1923 grouping, the ner became part of the london and north eastern railway (lner). passenger traffic on the castle eden branch remained low and consequentially, the lner withdrew stopping passenger trains on 2 november 1931 though it continued to be used by some express passenger trains for a number of years. after the second world war, the northbound track of this line was, on several occasions, used to store surplus wagons, making it only passable to southbound trains. stopping goods trains were withdrawn on 2 april 1951 and the few remaining through trains to use the line ceased to do so from 6 july 1966 when it was closed as a through route.