Raised On Steam Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Inevitable I guess but such a shame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raised On Steam Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I had a cycle up there this afternoon to watch for a bit. It was quite depressing the speed and enthusiasm of the diggers pulling the bridge down. It'll be a memory in a day or two. It's a pity they can't mend roads that quickly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Having closed the bridge over 12 months ago they do seem to trying to make up for lost time... Ironic that the road will now be diverted along what was the track bed. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raised On Steam Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I've cycled the length of the line at various times from Tyne Dock up to Consett and I find it very disappointing that, unless I've missed something, there are no info boards that give any hint of what the former trackbed was used for and its importance and the unique features it had. Apart from a few remaining bridges and Beamish tunnel the various dog walkers could be forgiven for not realising it had ever been a railway at all! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 For the benefit of our regular readers, http://southpelawem.blogspot.co.uk/ has just been updated ! Been a while since the last update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 (edited) For the benefit of our regular readers, http://southpelawem.blogspot.co.uk/ has just been updated ! Been a while since the last update. Looking fantastic Pete, when do I get to see it in the flesh John Edited September 3, 2016 by johndon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Courtesy of Stephen McGahon, a superb shot of 37085 passing Oxhill, Stanley with the County Durham Crusader railtour on 19 May 1979. Such are the gradients on the line that, when the train passed through Beamish, it was barely maintaining a walking pace. John 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 With the masts of Pontop Pike in the background, 37127 passes the outskirts of Leadgate with empty coal hoppers from Consett on 31st May 1977. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon John 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 With the masts of Pontop Pike in the background, 37127 passes the outskirts of Leadgate with empty coal hoppers from Consett on 31st May 1977. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon John Am I imagining things but the first and third wagons appear to be loaded? Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 Am I imagining things but the first and third wagons appear to be loaded? Mark Saunders I see what you mean and, knowing the area, the hills behind aren't high enough for them to appear over the tops of the wagons - the caption for the photo came from the original photographer. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 G'day Gents The Governments of this country couldn't wait to Destroy it. manna Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian Smeeton Posted September 8, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 8, 2016 I see what you mean and, knowing the area, the hills behind aren't high enough for them to appear over the tops of the wagons - the caption for the photo came from the original photographer. John Am I imagining things but the first and third wagons appear to be loaded? Mark Saunders Faulty hopper doors? As Tom Jones sang 'It's not unusual' Hat coat, wellies....gone Regards Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Palm 60526 Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I don't know the location intimately but with a smattering of knowledge and looking at Google maps I would suggest this is a loaded train heading towards Consett. Pontop Pike is east of Leadgate so the train is heading westward. I suppose the next subject for discussion is why do the other hoppers not appear as full? Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 (edited) Hi Martin, 99% certain were at milepost 9¼ heading toward Annfield Plain. There was a good deal of open casting around the Consett area at the time of the phot and I can remember seeing a hopper and loading arrangement in Consett station Yard about 1979 but never saw it in use. Bob Young was just starting to build up his open cast coal businesses around the Consett area about this time. He used the ex NCB loco shed at Leadgate as a garage and eventually took over Leadgate school as offices. I can't remember when it started but he had a large opencast site that included a drift, directly opposite Leadgate industrial estate but this may have been later than the photo. It's just a theory but that could be opencast coal and if so it's destination could possibly be Wardley via Tyne Yard. P PS. I see you've gone all DCC. Might see you at Manchester? Edited September 8, 2016 by Porcy Mane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Marshall Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Martin, 99% certain were at milepost 9¼ heading toward Annfield Plain. There was a good deal of open casting around the Consett area at the time of the phot and I can remember seeing a hopper and loading arrangement in Consett station Yard about 1979 but never saw it in use. Bob Young was just starting to build up his open cast coal businesses around the Consett area about this time. He used the ex NCB loco shed at Leadgate as a garage and eventually took over Leadgate school as offices. I can't remember when it started but he had a large opencast site that included a drift, directly opposite Leadgate industrial estate but this may have been later than the photo. It's just a theory but that could be opencast coal and if so it's destination could possibly be Wardley via Tyne Yard. Bantling Castle.JPG P PS. I see you've gone all DCC. Might see you at Manchester? Porcy, Google Earth shows the tall mast to be WSW of the lattice structures, confirming that the train is heading away from Consett, as you say. Regards, Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Palm 60526 Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Paul, OK I was wrong. Yes we've gone DCC. It's looking promising. And yes Expo EM on the Sunday. M Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Paul, OK I was wrong. But you have the bigger trainsets and that's all that matters. Yes we've gone DCC. It's looking promising. It'll be sound next and then... Diesels. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 I see what you mean and, knowing the area, the hills behind aren't high enough for them to appear over the tops of the wagons - the caption for the photo came from the original photographer. John It couldn't be the roofs of a couple of lineside buildings, could it? If not, then perhaps it's coke heading from Consett? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 It'll be sound next and then... Diesels. P Already got that........ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Courtesy of Stephen McGahon, here's a shot of 37078 (ironically names Teesside Steelmaster) at Villa Real, Leadgate with a track lifting train on 26th September 1984. As I understand it, this was the very last train to leave Consett as the rail was being lifted directly behind the train. John 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Palm 60526 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Courtesy of Stephen McGahon, here's a shot of 37078 (ironically names Teesside Steelmaster) at Villa Real, Leadgate with a track lifting train on 26th September 1984. As I understand it, this was the very last train to leave Consett as the rail was being lifted directly behind the train. John And with black clouds to match the mood of the occasion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 And with black clouds to match the mood of the occasion. but with a very modelable bus shelter. I was driving up & down that road on virtually a daily basis at that time and never took one photograph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 (edited) My current office is just off the Villa Real roundabout next to the DJH factory.John Edited September 20, 2016 by johndon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 I bet my destination was more fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 I bet my destination was more fun. I have no doubt, you at Scaleforum this weekend? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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