RMweb Gold Trevellan Posted January 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 7, 2015 I visited Consett in 1987 as an adjunct to a business trip. I was amazed to be told by my local host that the grassed areas we were driving past were part of the old steelworks complex. It hardly seemed credible that such a huge industrial landmark could almost entirely vanish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Amazing shots John i didnt know anything at all about this.Been up Beamish today and found 3 posts with signal cable pulley wheels on.I left them next to the trackbed if your up.I was going to take one but need some rope or something to drag it up near bridge. I'll have to have a run up to see - cheers. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Further to Jons pics here's yet another phot of the fan Exhaust. Taken in 2005, for those that don't know the area it shows how rural the colliery location was. The red arrow indicates the room that housed the airlock door shown in post #247. P 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 So, even in the last 10 years the place has changed - none of the brick buildings are there now... John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 37006 propelling a track lifting train at South Pelaw Junction in May 1984 (photo copyright Stephen McGahon) Having reversed over the junction, the same train now heads towards the ECML via Ouston Junction (photo copyright Stephen McGahon) John 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 The bridge that the photos above were taken on was the latest thing to go about 2-3 years ago - last time I looked it was still visible on Google Street View. Here it is as the demolition contractors arrived: and here is the site just 2 days later The line to Ouston Junction and the ECML went through the left hand span of the bridge with the line to Washington through the right. John 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I've just been sent this photo by Stephen McGahon, one of the contributors to my site. 31222 comes off the line to Consett at Ouston Junction with a train of track panels on 20 September 1984. Whilst I've seen many photos taken at Ouston Junction, this is the very first one I've seen of a train coming off the Consett line... John 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 The bridge that the photos above were taken on was the latest thing to go about 2-3 years ago - last time I looked it was still visible on Google Street View. Here it is as the demolition contractors arrived: and here is the site just 2 days later The line to Ouston Junction and the ECML went through the left hand span of the bridge with the line to Washington through the right. John Billy Thompson's lads don't hang about, do they? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Billy Thompson's lads don't hang about, do they? Indeed they don't... I've heard that the old NCB shed at Stella Gill, the largest remaining structure on the line, is to be demolished apparently to make way for some new houses... Here's what it looks like now: John 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Indeed they don't... I've heard that the old NCB shed at Stella Gill, the largest remaining structure on the line, is to be demolished apparently to make way for some new houses... Here's what it looks like now: John What was that shed used for, John? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 What was that shed used for, John? NCB stores. Up to a few years ago a guy that had links the Lambton Family sold agricultural Lime from part of the shed. He also had something to do with Heights Quarry in Weardale. I think the land is part of the Lambton Estates and reverts back to their ownership on demolition of the buildings. If there is a planning a application in for the place it will probably be on line. Last time I was in there the place had loads of electrical high voltage oil filled switchgear that was still in use but it would be have been more at home a in a mining museum. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) 37078 'Teesside Steelmaster' leaves Consett on 26 September 1984 with a train of track panels. This is, I believe the very last train to leave Consett proper, the track had been removed just behind the brake van. (Photo copyright Stephen McGahon) John Edited April 7, 2015 by johndon 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold stovepipe Posted April 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 7, 2015 Interesting photo. .....though people from Teesside do like to point out it is spelt with double s... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Interesting photo. .....though people from Teesside do like to point out it is spelt with double s... Corrected John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
9FEd Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Really Interesting thread - I've cycled down part of the route when I was completing the coast to coast cycle. Suitably inspired, I'm musing on the viability of a future layout based on the Consett ore trains. I'd really like to get a track plan/map for the iron ore loading facilities at the quay and the unloading gantry at Consett. Can anyone recommend the best source for those or does anyone have anything they would be happy to share? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 This map shows what i believe is the triangle that fed the unloading gantry at Consett as it was in 1963: https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/410267/549970/12/100954 I've got some photos here: http://southpelawjunction.co.uk/wp/?page_id=2473 John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raised On Steam Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 No matter how many times I pass through or look at pictures of SW of Consett as it is now, I still find it absolutely astonishing how little trace there is that there was ever anything there! It's also a great shame none of the unique 56T hopper wagons were preserved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
9FEd Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks John, I've already had a look at your excellent website - interesting section on the ore trains with some great photos too. Fantastic layout project as well! Unfortunately I don't suscribe to old maps so can't peruse said triangle. There must be a book on this topic, I noticed Darlsey mentioned at the start of the thread but have mixed feelings about some of the Middleton Press books I own. If anyone has a copy and is reading this any chance you could let me know if it has good map snippets/photos in of the ore loading and unloading points? It would be good to get an opinion on it before buying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold highpeakman Posted April 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks John, I've already had a look at your excellent website - interesting section on the ore trains with some great photos too. Fantastic layout project as well! Unfortunately I don't suscribe to old maps so can't peruse said triangle. There must be a book on this topic, I noticed Darlsey mentioned at the start of the thread but have mixed feelings about some of the Middleton Press books I own. If anyone has a copy and is reading this any chance you could let me know if it has good map snippets/photos in of the ore loading and unloading points? It would be good to get an opinion on it before buying. An alternate map website that shows quite a lot of detail is this: http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=54.8505&lon=-1.8313&layers=10 There is a choice of various maps from diferent periods and I have found it quite useful to trace old lines. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axlebox Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 ...there was the underframe of one of the 56T hoppers still in use on Teesside until recently...it might even still be there... Duncan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks John, I've already had a look at your excellent website - interesting section on the ore trains with some great photos too. Fantastic layout project as well! Unfortunately I don't suscribe to old maps so can't peruse said triangle. There must be a book on this topic, I noticed Darlsey mentioned at the start of the thread but have mixed feelings about some of the Middleton Press books I own. If anyone has a copy and is reading this any chance you could let me know if it has good map snippets/photos in of the ore loading and unloading points? It would be good to get an opinion on it before buying. The old-maps link should work without a subscription, it does for me... The Darsley book has a map but it is much too early to show the unloading facility and photo wise doesn't really show anything that my website doesn't. John Edited April 30, 2015 by johndon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) ...there was the underframe of one of the 56T hoppers still in use on Teesside until recently...it might even still be there... Phot this post: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/40852-tees-side-wagons-and-locos/&do=findComment&comment=437582 Mr Bartletts site (As ever) http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/bsclackenby/h2136ADF#h2136adf and somewhere on the forum I think there was pics of some in use at Scunthorpe, (or Corby) but a quick site search didn't come up with any links. P Edited April 30, 2015 by Porcy Mane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raised On Steam Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Even the underframe has to be worth saving by someone surely? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Even the underframe has to be worth saving by someone surely? Alas I believe that all these were cut up about 20 years ago when there was a major scrapping of the internal user fleet! Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raised On Steam Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Ah that's a real shame. I've always thought that they should have continued with the artworks along the trackside, there was such scope for a big representation of 9F or a hopper wagon in wood or something like that. Real imposing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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