PinzaC55

Here's one of my photos from 1979 where you can see the track into Doxfords, by that time disconnected. 08053 At Ogdens Lane 17.12.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

In 1977 I visited the remains of the Parson Byers rope hauled incline at Stanhope, County Durham. At the bottom of the incline still had it's track buried under 12 years veggie with this ancient level crossing gate guarding the road. Parson Byers Level Crossing Stanhope 1977 par PinzaC55, on ipernity In 1989 I revisited and found this intact engine shed at the top of the incline and it still had a workshop at the rear. Surprisingly from Google Earth it seems to have been repaired, presumably by a farmer. Parson Byers Engine Shed Stanhope 1989 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Seen in 1988 this track was in a small yard leading to Tynemouth Pier. I think it was closed during WW2. Tynemouth Pier Goods Yard 4.8.88 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

No there were 3 tracks. However I copied the diagram by hand from the original in Kew so if that was what it showed I can't make any better of it. It needs to be remembered that this was a goods only line and there were many strange features.

55002 works 1E99 ex Liverpool, seen at Dewsbury on 29.10.81. 55002 at Dewsbury (1E99) ex Liverpool 29.10.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Ogden's Lane crossing in Sunderland had gates which closed the railway on one side only (leaving the other open) and the gates didn't meet in the middle.There were also 3 tracks over a double width crossing as the Doxford's stockyard track went over the road. Ogdens Lane Signalbox Diagram par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Against a background of blue fumes 55019 exudes power at York heading north in 1979. 55019 at York (1) 1979 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

I'm starting to lose track of which photos I have posted but here is one from 21.4.79 showing 55022 rounding the curve at Tinsley on the "North Eastern" railtour which went to Dinting with double headed 76014 and 76030 Dinting - Tinsley and 55022 Tinsley - Newcastle http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/790421ne.htm 55022 Royal Scots Grey at Tinsley 21.4.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Is that what it was? I thought it was a TPO or parcels van. It's a fairly short train so I think it may have been an Edinburgh - Newcastle local stopping at Chathill, Morpeth and so on. Like 55015 slowing down at Chathill on 1E15 on 29.4.80. 55015 on 1E15 at Chathill 29.4.80 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

That's a nice pile of old style concrete sleepers with bullhead chairs. Are the Tanfield Railway aware of it?

Been neglecting my thread a bit so, with a vengeance, here is 55005 passing Benton Quarry junction 15.8.80 55005 Benton Quarry par PinzaC55, on ipernity 55005 heading south past Heaton station in the autumn of 1980. I am looking though the window of the half demolished station! 55005 Heaton 1980 par PinzaC55, on ipernity and 55006 on 1S12 at Newcastle on 17.5.80 55006 at Newcastle 1S12 17.5.80 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

And it doesn't seem to have been hacked about and ruined as many stations were?

I remember visiting Greetwell Junction in 1980 but think my camera was out of film (how antiquated does that sound now?). Here is Bardney station in 1982 when some British Rail painter had given the GNR trespass signs a fresh lick of paint Bardney Station 2.4.82 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Tattershall station on the same day Tattershall Station 2.4.82 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

In 1980 I braved the heat to try and walk the old Woodhall Junction - Firsby line which had closed as recently as 1970. Stickney station served a tiny village but typically for the GNR it had a very large building which 10 years after the Axe had an alarming bend in the canopy. In the heyday of the railways it must have served a purpose but by 1970 I doubt many people used it. Stickney Station 3.8.80 par PinzaC55, on ipernity The nearby signalbox had fared a little better except for the odd missing window pane. There were some old 1950's road signs in the locking room, just visible. It's all gone now of course. Stickney Signalbox 3.8.80 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

When I go into my local bank they have BBC News 24 on the TV with subtitles and I swear the person who types the subtitles is dyslexic. One that sticks in my mind is when a soldier had died in Afghanistan and the subtitles said "he will receive a post hummus award" !

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/signlanguage/3917183/The-best-of-Sign-Language.html

In 1983 when I moved to London it gave me a chance to explore some southern branch lines. I walked the former Bluebell line from East Grinstead to Horsted Keynes and saw the sad remains of West Hoathly station, seen here looking north. Although the track has been relaid , trains do not stop here. West Hoathly Station 1983 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Nearer East Grinstead was Kingscote which was empty and semi derelict Kingscote Station (3) July 1983 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Seen here beautifully restored with the hideous conservatory banished to history http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/kingscote/kpic/kc_ras_01i04_0010h.jpg

Fabulous photos Swindon! Particularly the Retford one as I tended to keep the public out of my shots. I wonder if the lad in the black sweatshirt still likes AC/DC ?

Seen from a passing train 55003 Meld stands outside the NRM at York on 17.6.79, not long after she received her white cab window frames. 55003 Meld at York Shed 17.6.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Seen at Newcastle in 1979, Meld's nameplate. It would be worth a small fortune now. 55003 Meld Nameplate 1979 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Side view of 55012 Crepello at York 16.4.79. I wonder where the languid looking young guy in the black coat is now? 55012 York 16.4.79 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

55008 The Green Howards passes New England in Peterborough on train 1L41 on 4.5.1981 55008 at New England 1L41 4.5.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

That reminds me of the occasion when I visited Cayton signalbox near Seamer on the Hull line. The bobby invited me into the box and among other things told me how BR had ordered several thousand tons of ballast for the line but it all went straight to the ECML and the ballast on the track outside was still colliery ash from NER days! I thought you lads may like to see these 3 views of Tyne Yard as it is in the Trainz 2012 rail simulator which includes the ECML from KX to Newcastle and many of the branches. trainz 2014-06-19 14-05-31-06 par PinzaC55, on ipernity trainz 2014-06-19 14-04-58-02 par PinzaC55, on ipernity trainz 2014-06-19 14-04-36-93 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

Ace photo of 55004 with the sadly armless "Gallows" signal in front of it! Here's 55002 working 1A32 at Barnetby on 18.9.81 55002 at Barnetby on 1A32 18.9.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

On 24.4.81 55022 worked 1D00 as far as Goole before being terminated due to late running due to the atrocious weather. Here she is setting back (note the ground signal) before running round her train and setting off back to the Cross. 55022 on 1D00 at Goole (terminated) 24.4.81 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

If you watch this film at 16.30 there is a brief view of the south end of Tyne Yard under construction. I'm not sure which of the other clips were taken there? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgnTonf-Oc