Q6 Workhorse of the NER. 1960s to Preservation

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Low Fell (1)

 

This thread is to be an extraction of my photographs of Q6 locos taken from the 1960s into preservation. Many of these are line-side shots but include those awaiting disposal (that sounds better than awaiting  scrapping). The locations are from Blyth in the North. Blaydon in the west and West Hartlepool in the south.

 

The proposed RTR model of the Q6 has highlighted interest in this class, rarely clean, often rusty but were to be seen plodding along with trains of mineral wagons, full and empty until the end.

 

The first few are of a single such train as it approaches and passes. At this time I carried two cameras the Folder one loaded with Agfachrome film the second (PentaxSX) loaded with Ilford FP3 (B&W). The loco is 63366 and like many of its kin has the characteristic burnt firebox. These glowed in the dark.

[hornbyandbf3fan]

Please add more

[ArthurK]

Q6s At Low Fell (2)

 

Judging by all the 'likes' it looks like I am committed - but not tonight- sorry!

 

OK I give in - here's one more 63443 on the down slow.

 

 

 

ArthurK

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Low Fell (3)

 

 

Following on from the last post here are three more of 63443 as it passes a quick move to the other side of the bridge and we see that it is taking the fast down to take the  route to Gateshead rather than the left line to Dunston and Blaydon.

The fireman appears to be checking that all is well. Note the tarpaulin from cab roof to tender. The weather was not always dry and sunny!

 

ArthurK

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Low Fell (4)

 

These are the last Q6s that I took at Low Fell. They are in their usual dirty state. I probably have their numbers somewhere but not to hand. I will leave it to you to try to decipher them!

 

The first closely followed the Q5 shown in (1) & (2) above.

 

The second was taken as we were travelling back to Lancashire in the winter of 1966/7. The last two of these were the last Q6 that I actually saw doing its proper job.

 

Next we will move on to Blaydon.

 

ArthurK

[Fat Controller]

Q6s at Low Fell (3)

 

 

Following on from the last post here are three more of 63443 as it passes a quick move to the other side of the bridge and we see that it is taking the fast down to take the  route to Gateshead rather than the left line to Dunston and Blaydon.

The fireman appears to be checking that all is well. Note the tarpaulin from cab roof to tender. The weather was not always dry and sunny!

 

ArthurK

I do wonder if the train is doing some sort of setting-back manoeuvre? In the first shot, it looks as though he's seeing if the route is set behind, whilst in the second, it would seem he's checking if the loco's cleared the points. Someone would be getting a shock when they decided they didn't need the tarpaulin for a while...

I wonder if the old station is still there? It was certainly still in situ when I used to go down to watch trains from the bridge in 1985-6.

[Nelson Jackson]

Fantastic pictures, please do keep them coming.

[ArthurK]

I do wonder if the train is doing some sort of setting-back manoeuvre? In the first shot, it looks as though he's seeing if the route is set behind, whilst in the second, it would seem he's checking if the loco's cleared the points. Someone would be getting a shock when they decided they didn't need the tarpaulin for a while...

I wonder if the old station is still there? It was certainly still in situ when I used to go down to watch trains from the bridge in 1985-6.

As far as I can recall 63443 proceded towards Gateshead. If It had set back it would have warranted at least one more shot but that's all I have.

 

The last shots of Low Fell that I have are in the blue deisel era. The station buildings were still there. I have one later shot of a GNER train, in that awful dark blue livery with red stripe, but I haven't found it as yet. I was so apalled with rhat livery that I never went back. No doubt I will be castigated  for that remark but then I was never fond of the new motive power whtsoever the colour. Two tne green was perhaps the best.

 

ArthiurK

[runs as required]

I have one later shot of a GNER train, in that awful dark blue livery with red stripe, but I haven't found it as yet. I was so apalled with rhat livery that I never went back. No doubt I will be castigated  for that remark .......

My grandson caught the train bug riding up from Kings+ on those distinctively liveried GNER trains to visit us - and his other grandad in Newtonmore. Not-any-more (poor) pun intended.

He was so distraught at finding them getting repainted aeroplane grey that he just waits for his parents to drive him up these days.

 

Kids all just play on their screens along motorways nowadays.....pathetic or what

 

Looking forward to the Blaydon Q6 pics

 

dhig

 

[edit: forgot to sign off]

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Blaydon

 

The next two are taken from Chainbridge Road. (Why didn't they preserve that beautiful bridge? It wasn't in the way of the new one).

 

The first is bringing its train from the Dunston line. It may have branched off the ECML at Low Fell or taken the Bensham curve from Gateshead. The latter line is now the only way from Newcastle to Carlisle as the route via Scotswood was closed. The engine shows the evidence of a hard life but is still able to earn a living.

 

The second is on the old main Newcastle-Carlisle line before closure. Sorry about the 30MPH sign. There is always something trying to get in the way. In the background is one of the two footbridges. This one over the Newcastle line and the other over the line from Dunston. Just beyond  the two bridges was Blaydon junction where the two lines joined.

 

In the junction was Blaydon signal box which controlled level crossings over the two lines. I must add that in my spotting days I spent very many happy hours by and on these two footbridges and Blaydon Shed was on Chainbridge Road too. In those far off days NER locos reigned supreme. BR standards were yet to appear and apart from the J39s (of which Blaydon had many) LNER locos were mostly reserved for the Carlisle trains though even those might be in the hands of an Atlantic or D20.  Highlight of the day was the train from Hawick via the Border Counties line usually in the hands of a D30 or on rare occasions a Glen.

 

Sorry all that has nothing to do with the photos of the Q6s but the second photo above revived a lot of memories.

 

ArthurK

[ArthurK]

Blaydon signal box and footbridges

 

Just to give a little more detail to my last posting the first of the next two shows the signal box at Blaydon. The direct line to Newcastle passes in front of this box. The line from Dunston is behind.

 

The second shot shows both of the footbridges. That in the foreground bridges the line from Dunston. This spans two tracks. The  other bridge, that in the earlier picture, is longer as it spans three tracks.

 

Now that we have that out of the way we will move on to Percy Main and Blyth.

 

For some reason these photos are in reverse order but they are very obvious!!!!

 

ArthurK

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Percy Main and Blyth.

 

These two sheds are best known for their allocations of J27s. Indeed Percy Main had a allocation of 20+ J27s throughout  the LNER and BR periods. I recall times when the 20 J27s were the only locos at that shed .  The J27s handled virtually all the coal traffic from south east Northumberland but also included trips along the Tyne valley to the Alston branch to pick up coal from the mines on that branch. The Q6s on the other hand handled this traffic on the more steeply graded lines in Co. Durham,  though on the coastal strip in Durham  J26s and J27s were much in evidence. Sunderland West Hartlepool and the Teeside shed all had allocations of J26/7s.

 

In the 1960s work for the Q6s must have been dwindling and a few of these moved over the Tyne to Percy Main and Blyth.

 

 I only managed to get two photos of Q6s at Percy Main. One these has a Q6 hiding in a row of J27s and doesn't warrant inclusion in a Q6 thread. The other shown below is playing second fiddle to the dominant J27 in the foreground.

 

Moving on to Blyth it received a few Q6s in the mid sixties. I manage to photograph three of these on one of my trips to North Blyth shed. As far as I know none were ever allocated to South Blyth.

 

In the first shot shows two Q6s side by side. 63386 is being prepared for departure but 63362 is also in steam. I took several shots of this pair including close-ups for details. These are always useful for the modeller.

 

I have left departure of 63386 until the next posting

 

ArthurK

 

[ArthurK]

Q6s at North Blyth

 

In the shots above 63386 was being prepared for departure. I took one more full frontal and then watched it depart. Drain cocks open, plenty of steam then it was on its way.

 

Of course I couldn't visit North Blyth without a peep inside. There never seemed to be anyone around so on my visits there I walked around freely. This time instead of J27s around the turntable I was faced with a Q6 no. 63366. That was it first that I had actually seen one inside the shed.

 

On my next visit all the Q6s had gone and had been replaced  by K1s and Standard 4MTs.

 

And now we will see what Tyne Dock had to offer.

 

ArthurK

[Barry O]

Arthur,

 

behave.... this is taking me back top watching Q7s, WDs and J26/7s hauling huge trains (at least they were to me!) out of Horden pit....

 

Baz

[Alcanman]

Thanks for posting the great pics at North Blyth. I saw plenty of them at North Blyth but by the time I'd saved up my paper round money to buy a camera they had all gone.

 

However, I did manage this pic, also at North Blyth, but sadly at Bolckows scrap yard.

 

 

You're correct that no Q6s were allocated to South Blyth, in the last years of steam it was 100% J27s. On a Sunday morning when my mother thought I'd

gone to church, this is where I could be found. Usually a couple of dozen J27s on shed.

 

 

Mal

[ArthurK]

Thanks for posting the great pics at North Blyth. I saw plenty of them at North Blyth but by the time I'd saved up my paper round money to buy a camera they had all gone.

 

However, I did manage this pic, also at North Blyth, but sadly at Bolckows scrap yard.

 

Q6 at Bolckows, North Blyth.jpg

 

You're correct that no Q6s were allocated to South Blyth, in the last years of steam it was 100% J27s. On a Sunday morning when my mother thought I'd

gone to church, this is where I could be found. Usually a couple of dozen J27s on shed.

 

img125.jpg

 

Mal

 

I saw many J27s at North and South Blyth. Perhaps if I get around to adding a J27 thread  I will post those as well.

 

ArthurK

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Tyne Dock

I visited Tyne Dock a number of times in 1966 and 1967. The later visits were depressing nothing but dead locos with their coupling rods removed awaiting their turn to be yowed away to the knacker's yard. But my first visit was better, there were still locos in steam though it was a Sunday. I had both colour film and B&W with me that day.

 

63453

This and the next four show that rust is not just a single colour. It has many hues and these shots show most of them!

 

Three views of 63431

 

 

 

63377 shows that it is still capable of raising a head of steam.

 

Next post will be same day but in B&W

 

ArthurK

[MarkC]

All I can say about those shots is "WOW!" Many, many thanks for posting them.

 

Mark

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Tyne Dock (2)

 

As promised these are B&W photos taken on the same day as the colour above.

 

First three detail shots of 63453. Modellers take note but I am not sure how you will recreate the damage to the cylinder covers. Note also that it was common place for the front cylinder covers to be missing!

 

 

Next  63431 and 63377.

 

Full frontal of 63453

 

RH view of 63453

 

63453 (left) and 63431. The locos must need careful handling when using that turntable!

 

Last of this section the tender of 63453. This is one on the1917 build with the cut back coal rails. Note also the guards above each spring to retain the spring in the event of breakage. Not all tenders had these. Another note for modellers. The twin pull rods front and back of the wheels are clearly visible. The tool boxes are the later style rather that the round-top " treasure chest" variety

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Tyne Dock (3)

On my last visit to Tyne Dock things had deteriated further. Nothing in steam and all (with two exceptions) awating disposal. The date was October 1967. Steam in the North East was at an end.

 

We start wih the sorry sight of Q6s and others lined up outside of the shed . I believe 63387, which looks in resonable condition was the last to earn its keep.

 

 

In color the rust is even more prominant.

 

However there was some good vnews 63395 was under cover and awaiting its new owners. Ahead is Departmental J72 No.58. It was intended for preservation but didn't make it.

 

 

Behind is J27 No. 65894 which was saved.

 

 

Next we make a visit to Sunderland an West Hartlepool Which in fact Preceded the above visit to Tyne Dock.

 

ArthurK

 

 

[Pobrien]

Spent the day at Pelaw Junction on Thursday September 8,1966.

 

Saw mainly 9F's, but one Q6.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/9563507186/in/set-72157626490384021

[johndon]

Spent the day at Pelaw Junction on Thursday September 8,1966.

 

Saw mainly 9F's, but one Q6.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/9563507186/in/set-72157626490384021

 

Great pic Patrick - you kindly allowed me to publish your 9F photos on my South Pelaw Junction website - would it be OK to add this one as well?

 

John

[Pobrien]

Great pic Patrick - you kindly allowed me to publish your 9F photos on my South Pelaw Junction website - would it be OK to add this one as well?

 

John

Of course. Interesting and detailed website.

[ArthurK]

Q6s at Sunderland and West Hartlepool

 

This visit preceded my last trip to Tyne Dock but even so all locos were dead except possibly the three J27s in the roundhouse which were intact. Outside it was a different story.

 

63437 and 63458 devoid of rods await their fate.

 

At West Hartlepool 63407 has, surprisingly retained its rods but is still awaiting disposal. The cab roof access panel is missing.

 

Back at Sunderland the one happier note is that 63395 had not yet moved under cover at Tyne Dock. but at least it was mostly under cover at Sunderland.

 

End of this thread adds a few of 63395 in preservation.

 

ArthurK