PinzaC55 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Just been announced that the Sunderland South Dock branch will reopen next year http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/bu ... il-7864130 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthnut Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 ...this very good news. I'm rather intrigued as to what the "two locos" they have that they say were mothballed? I'm not convinced that mothballing is usually very successful though, things seem to get mysteriously broken/fall apart/vandalised/lost/rust (delete as applicable) whilst supposedly being kept safe. I remember a certain colliery that was "mothballed" but trashed beyond repair was more applicable I think... Anyone got any pics from before the rail link was closed? TTFN Ben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 1, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 1, 2014 ...this very good news. I'm rather intrigued as to what the "two locos" they have that they say were mothballed? A quick google search gives two Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 DE's, and this photo Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 A quick google search gives two Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 DE's, and this photo Cheers, Mick That link didn't work for me but here's another one http://www.portofsunderland.org.uk/rail_connection.php they look vaguely like 03's ? It would be interesting to know how much of the South Dock internal rail system is serviceable as latterly trains just went to the (Fina?) oil depot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthnut Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 A quick google search gives two Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 DE's, and this photo Cheers, Mick Aha! For some reason I could not get onto that yesterday, now I realise that the damn google spell check always auto corrects loco to logo! Hence not getting the expected results...Thanks, can I be excused the dunce's hat though? it makes my head itch... TTFN Ben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted October 2, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 2, 2014 This is good news. I never actually went into the docks but did visit South dock loco shed when it was full of 56's and looked as if it hadn't been cleaned up since the end of steam. I think I've got a couple of enprints somewhere. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Short film clip circa 1989 here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Looking at Google Maps, there's a surprising amount of track-work apparently left intact within the dock estate. If you follow the line that leaves the Newcastle- Stockton line northwards, it eventually leads to a track which drops down to quay level via a brick-lined cutting (the surrounding tracks would have been at a higher level to give access to the staithes), and which then serves most of the remaining quaysides. I wonder what traffic they're looking at handling? One of the Google Earth 'streetview' images shows a bulk carrier of some sort. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Weren't these little tykes called Pinky and Perky? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Falmouth Docks next? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Falmouth Docks next? According to my most recent copy of Quail, they're still rail-connected but 'Not In Regular Use'; do they handle any cargo apart from ship- repairs? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Looking at Google Maps, there's a surprising amount of track-work apparently left intact within the dock estate. If you follow the line that leaves the Newcastle- Stockton line northwards, it eventually leads to a track which drops down to quay level via a brick-lined cutting (the surrounding tracks would have been at a higher level to give access to the staithes), and which then serves most of the remaining quaysides. I wonder what traffic they're looking at handling? One of the Google Earth 'streetview' images shows a bulk carrier of some sort. I've heard a whisper that biomass is one of the cargoes being planned for the facility. Presumably Port of Tyne is already almost at capacity for biomass & coal? (coals TO Newcastle - who would have believed it? ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 There's been a lot of discussion of this on the Sunderland Message Boards and my own theory is that they may be wishing to divert traffic from the south which normally uses the Boldon South - East curve to access Tyne Dock since this would tend to clog up Sunderland station. Or of course it could be associated with the new Potash mine at Whitby ? Just an idea. http://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/rail-line-to-port-of-sunderland-to-be-reopened.973557/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 There's been a lot of discussion of this on the Sunderland Message Boards and my own theory is that they may be wishing to divert traffic from the south which normally uses the Boldon South - East curve to access Tyne Dock since this would tend to clog up Sunderland station. Or of course it could be associated with the new Potash mine at Whitby ? Just an idea. http://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/rail-line-to-port-of-sunderland-to-be-reopened.973557/ They'd have to put in a new river bridge if the idea was to provide an alternative route from Tyne Dock southwards. The potash traffic sounds more plausible, or perhaps reconnecting to EMR's scrapyard? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 They'd have to put in a new river bridge if the idea was to provide an alternative route from Tyne Dock southwards. The potash traffic sounds more plausible, or perhaps reconnecting to EMR's scrapyard? I meant using South Dock as a alternative to Tyne Dock for any traffic coming from the south. Sunderland station currently hosts trains from the Metro, Grand Central and Northern Rail so anything which removed freight trains from the mix would be a good thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I meant using South Dock as a alternative to Tyne Dock for any traffic coming from the south. Sunderland station currently hosts trains from the Metro, Grand Central and Northern Rail so anything which removed freight trains from the mix would be a good thing. I understand; however, I can't imagine Tyne Harbour Commissioners (are they still called that?) giving up such hard-won traffic lightly. They'd be after getting the Leamside line reopened. On top of this, Port of Sunderland would have to invest in a bit more than half-a-mile of railway; a biomass storage facility and secure storage for Nissan would be a start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 In the wild and wacky free market economy we have now it isn't a matter of the Tyne "giving up" anything; if Sunderland can do it cheaper the traffic will go there. The Leamside line is currently 25 miles of empty trackbed and I don't expect to see it reopen in my lifetime. The South Dock branch is expected to open in Q1 next year so its a bit more practical ! I've done a video of my Trainz 2012 simulation of the line here It's set in 1960 though I have used artistic license to show things like Hendon Gasworks signalbox which closed in 1937. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 There's been a lot of discussion of this on the Sunderland Message Boards and my own theory is that they may be wishing to divert traffic from the south which normally uses the Boldon South - East curve to access Tyne Dock since this would tend to clog up Sunderland station. Or of course it could be associated with the new Potash mine at Whitby ? Just an idea. http://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/rail-line-to-port-of-sunderland-to-be-reopened.973557/ The potash is to go to Middlesbrough for shipment out of the Tees - underground by conveyor or as pumped slurry, I believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 The potash is to go to Middlesbrough for shipment out of the Tees - underground by conveyor or as pumped slurry, I believe. Apparently it will go by underground conveyor. It's just my idea but maybe there is somewhere that can more easily be served from Sunderland. We'll see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
25901 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Parked outside there shed https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1622460_10152778223376563_6836752852773136401_o.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60091 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Fantastic news... so long as it goes ahead. I remember articles about what was planned for the North East in the Northern Echo (local paper) around the time of privatisation. If even half of them were to have actually happened, the areas would virtually have had it's Victorian rail system restored.. I occasionally pass the junction at Ryhope Grange when travelling on the coast line and think what a waste the facility is at the moment. It was really busy before I left Sunderland in the late 90s. Petrofina tanks, often regular traffic in Ferrywagons and occasional shipments of scrap and steel. I've dozens of photos of the branch around that time.... The classic view of the Petrofina terminal in 1996. The lines behind the terminal led to Corporation Quay. At this time, 1997, trains of Cargowagons were propelled around the curve for loading/unloading although I'm not sure if they were shunted as far as the quayside. 1998 Looking in the opposite direction is the small loco shed shown in the earlier photo and two other sidings which may have formed a loop? At the time this is where occasional scrap trains were loaded. IIRC this traffic involved the use of the diesel shunter. This photo is one of a series I took showing most of the surviving trackplan following the closure of South Dock Shed. The Petrofina climbing up out of the "big ole" as it was know locally. This was the incredibly steep incline up from the dock system. Brakevan at the rear for shunting the train into the terminal - 1997. The "big ole" 1998. South Dock Shed stood on the area - top right. The wooden South Dock coal staiths ran out from the high ground in the centre and over the water just out of shot to the left. The only trackwork remaining by 1997 at the upper level was a run round loop and two sidings seen here holding the Petrofina tanks. This lengthy train was split into rakes of seven TEAs, the maximum the Petrofina terminals' two sidings could hold. I always get the names of the branch boxes mixed up.... I think this is/was Londonderry Junction. It was taken out of use after the shed closed and within a few months the inevitable happened...1996 Edited... Hendon Junction Box? Destroyed by fire Feb 13th 1996. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I believe the traffic in Ferryvans was imported paper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arran Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Was there not aluminum from Fort William not the last traffic to use the branch. Regards Arran Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60091 Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Weren't these little tykes called Pinky and Perky?Hello Boris Not sure but I think Pinky and Perky were the 03s coupled together to work up to Silksworth Colliery after the J27s finished in September 1967. Regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40044 Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I believe the traffic in Ferryvans was imported paper. Wood pulp for Iggesund at Workington, IIRC, although I cannot recall it using that exact type of Ferryvan? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.