PinzaC55

Yes they were done away with in the crazy run up to privatisation where it didn't matter how useful something was , only the cost.... rant over here is a 47 waiting to take over from 55022 at York on a northbound train 1978. Often it was a Deltic replacing a Deltic but that's off topic When I took this photo, number 1 in the charts was "You're The One That I want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Number 3 was The Smurf Song. 55002 Royal Scots Grey York 7.10.78 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

It doesn't feature a 47 so I won't post the photo here but this is my craziest "haulage" photo taken at York in 1979. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/pinzac55/17485277/sizes/o 47542 stands in platform 9 at York on the 10.45 to Leeds in 1979 47542 at York 10.45 Leeds 12.12.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Back in the "good old days" here I am leaning out of the window as 20159 + 20196 round the curve at Firsby on 29.5.82 with a Skegness bound train. Until 1981 it was possible to get a Deltic on a diverted train via the GN & GE Joint then kip in the waiting room for a pair of Choppers to Skeggy! On one occasion the waiting room was locked so I slept on a park bench..... 20159 + 20196 at Firsby 29.5.82 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

45017 looks fine as she passes Holgate bridge in York in 1979. 45017 at York Holgate 13.5.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

No worries John. I remember a friend and I once visited a guy in Consett who had , among other things, an NER slotted post signal in the cupboard under the stairs! I commented that it seemed that the line had been demolished in such a way (bridge spans removed shortly after closure etc) as to deliberately make it virtually impossible to ever reopen it, and he agreed.

It had to be. the drivers didn't have route knowledge past Newcastle and of course it wasn't nearly powerful enough to take such a heavy load to the Cross.

Here are my Ipernity photos tagged "Consett". Let me know if the link works OK. http://www.ipernity.com/search/photo?w=309841&q=consett

33020 stands at Waterloo on my birthday 10.1.81 when I treated myself to a day bashing the Southern. 33020 at Waterloo par PinzaC55, on ipernity

On her last ever run my namesake failed at Donny and had to be hauled by 47146. I bashed the train to Retford and here is the awful sight which awaited me 47146 + 55007 Retford 30.12.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

And the platforms would be full of enthusiasts! As it was there were only about 3 people to see it in those pre mobile phone days.

Does this count? In September 1981 I was waiting for my Class 31 hauled train back to Sunderland when I saw the unbelievable sight of 26002 assisting 47435 enter Newcastle station on 1E26. the 47 had failed further up the line - Edinburgh I think - and the 26 was the only loco available to rescue the train. 26002 + 47435 Newcastle 1E26 29.9.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

A pair of Tractors pass the site of Mickley station on the Newcastle & Carlisle line in 1977 on a lengthy train of Iron ore wagons. You'll have to imagine the sound for yourself The sign on the left says "In Emergency Phone Signalman". "Hello signalman? This is an emergency" TOO MUCH CLAG AND NOISE!!" Class 37s at Mickley 3.8.77 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Thanks for the comments guys, "Porcy" yes thats the one! I think I may have another shot somewhere and will try to dig it out.

English Electric superpower at Bedford in 1987 as 37091 and 37044 work a railtour. Where are you now Mr Window Hanger? 37091 + 37044 at Bedford 4.7.87 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

47483 bombs along at Bensham in 1979. This was a great place for photo's as the driver put his foot down after the train left the tight curves off the King Edward Bridge. 47483 Bensham 1979 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

By pure coincidence 47519 is seen again leaving York in 1979, still chucking out "clag" 47519 at York par PinzaC55, on ipernity

....and blasts away from South Dock with empty HTV's for the Durham coal mines, of which there were many in these pre-Thatcher days. There's only a single long disused track here now, otherwise a wasteland of weeds and torched cars. Sunderland Class 37 26.5.77 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

47088 Samson seen at Newcastle in May 1981. 47088 Samson Newcastle 1N12 17.5.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

45108 at Chesterfield waiting to leave southbound in 1978. Peak 45108 at Chesterfield par PinzaC55, on ipernity

47519 heads south out of Newcastle in 1978. The colour light signal with separate route indicator may be of interest to modellers! 47519 at Bensham 26.5.78 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

In nearly 40 years of being into railways I have never seen a photo of Stella Gill box before

37106 stands outside Sunderland South Dock shed in 1977. 37106 at Sunderland South Dock shed 26.5.77 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

This is my model of the original Millfield station which was the first railway building designed by the famous architect Thomas Prosser. It was replaced by the "new" station in 1890 (see my earlier shot in this thread) and became the stationmaster's house then a builders merchants and eventually a ghastly pub. It was demolished in 2000 for building of the Metro. Millfield Old Station Model 13.3.14 par PinzaC55, on ipernity The real thing in 1978. Millfield Old Station 1978 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Full history http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/m/millfield_first/index.shtml

45047 pauses at Bardon Mill station near Haltwhistle en route to Newcastle in 1979 when DMU's were temporarily replaced by hauled stock. 45047 at Bardon Mill par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Couple from me. Brampton Town (Cumbria) 1978 Brampton Town Old Van Body 11.8.78 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Bury St Edmunds 1989 Old Coach Body Bury St Edmunds 1989 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Holme Moor (East Yorkshire) 1977 Old Clerestory Coach at Holme Moor 10.4.77 par PinzaC55, on ipernity