Trev52A

Some pre-TOPs views at Newcastle. (A couple of these have already appeared in the 'Human side of the railway' topic) D9012 crosses from Gateshead on 24th March 1970. The number definitely had the 'D' prefix although some ref. books say it had been removed the previous month. The same loco, with a proud driver, on 5th March 1970. Close examination shows the 'D' still in place on the rear number, at least. D9020 at the south end of the station on 24th March 1970 At the other end of the station on 5th march 1970 with 9011 on the left and D9000 arriving on an Aberdeen-Kings Cross train. Here's something you don't see every day - a diesel loco having its water tanks topped up - 9001 on 20th May 1970 Nameplate and regimental badge of 9006 at Newcastle on 29th May 1970 Trevor

More at Low Fell, all from 1975.. This loading gauge at the Team Valley Trading Estate exchange sidings has appeared already, but not as dilapidated as in this view on 12th April 1975, as 55006 heads by with the up 'Flying Scotsman' The same loco diverted to the slow lines heading north on 22nd June 1975 55017 speeds past the remnants of an earlier derailment on the old crossing on 16th March 1975. It appears to be a Spanish vehicle with 'Tranfesa' branding 55002 leans to the curve approaching Low Fell from the south in the evening sun on 5th May 1975 Trevor

Thanks Rug - well, they say a large collection of Deltic photos is the sign of a miss-spent youth and I've uploaded about 150 on this thread (not bad for a total of only 22 locos!) but I've still got a few left (but not many more pre-TOPS)... 55005 departs Newcastle on 8th March 1975 This was a lucky shot on 27th December 1975 as the ash carrier vessel 'Bessie Surtees' was heading upriver to collect another pile of waste ash from Stella South power station. The Deltic was too far away to identify at the time but I reckon it must be 55013 'The Black Watch' by the size of the nameplate 55018 comes off the bridge on 29th November 1975 - I didn't make a note of the Class 40 on the right 55014 at the same spot in October 1981. In the background work is well underway on construction of the new Redheugh Bridge which replaced the one behind it Trevor

Four from Manors, the first station out of Newcastle heading north. At one time this was an important suburban station on the coast loop, but with the transfer of traffic to the T&W Metro, now only one or two trains an hour stop here. 55017 heads past a mostly oblivious group of passengers waiting for a train for the coast on 17th May 1975. As this is travelling on the slow lines it was possibly empty stock for Heaton. This is the view the other way on 18th May 1975 as 55021 takes the main line through the station and slows for the Newcastle stop half a mile further on. The view from the footbridge as 55015 also heads for Newcastle on 6th August 1975 55015 again - it has just passed the end of the platforms at Manors on the last lap to Newcastle with the up 'Flying Scotsman' on 20th March 1976 Trevor

Some early shots at Newcastle... D9015 and old water crane in December 1968. I was so intent on focusing on the letters I forgot about including the 'Tulyar' nameplate! The same loco (now simply 9015) with a crew change in July 1969 A bit of a mystery.. D9006 with a three coach train on 6th July 1968, although 'The Chronicles of Napier ' site has 1E79 as a Newcastle to Colchester train. Also, on the right is a match truck for a diesel shunter which I did not note down. Apologies for repeating this from a couple of years ago but this was the first Deltic picture I ever took (with a Brownie 127 camera) - D9000 in 1964 Trevor

Some 1960s views at Low Fell.. Diverted onto the slow lines (due to a Sunday diversion?) D9004 passes the remains of the station on 22nd January 1967 Complete with winged thistle headboard, D9000 speeds south with the 'Flying Scotsman' the previous day, 21st January 1967. As is sometimes the case, my trusty bike has made a guest appearance in the picture. D9004 heads north on an undated shot from 1967 D9007 from the bridge, again in 1967 D9009 at the same spot in April 1969 The view south from the bridge on the same day with D9019 Trevor

Three taken at Berwick-upon-Tweed, the northern limit of my 'rover' ticket, all on 4th August 1975. 55012 at the 'classic' location approaching the station 55001 pulls away from the station, heading for Edinburgh 55018 enters the station from the north Trevor

More spotters at York.. 55015 waits to leave with a York-Kings Cross 'semi-fast' on 5th August 1980 'It's behind you!' 55022 at the same spot, as the opposition arrives on 29th May 1981 55019 arrives at Newcastle from the north on 26th May 1981 55010 pauses at Newcastle on 25th April 1981 Trevor

Some b&ws from 1981.. 55021 approaching King Edward Bridge Junction, Gateshead on 14th August 1981 55010 enters Newcastle past 47574 waiting to head south on 25th April 1981 55004 heads north from Newcastle on 2nd May 1981 Trevor

Or the theme to 'Get Carter'! Trevor

Speaking of trainspotters... (Sorry, these have already appeared on the 'Human side if the railway' thread a while ago, but they do include Deltics) 55022 at York on 3rd August 1981 55018 on the same day Here's 55010 approaching the station from the south on a Kings Cross-York 'semi-fast' on the same day Trevor

55007 heading south over the King Edward Bridge on 4th May 1975 With Gateshead depot on the left and St. Cuthberts Village on the right (both now long-demolished), 55004 has just left the bridge at King Edward Bridge Junction on 23rd March 1975 55017 southbound near Bensham on 19th July 1975 Trevor

Three from York on 2nd June 1978 55017 northbound 55006 arriving with a southbound train 55012 waiting for the 'off'. Driver is thinking 'This Deltic needs a good clean' (sigh) Trevor

Thanks for pointing this out, brushman. I mixed up two pages of notes when I uploaded the picture - it is actually 55012 'Crepello' in the snow. (I have amended the entry.) Sorting out all these pictures is enough to drive anybody Deltic-mad! Trevor PS This picture was taken using a special lens attachment I either bought, borrowed or was given. It is the only time I ever used it and it spoilt a perfectly good shot of a Deltic (it's actually 55015 on 14th January 1976.) Perhaps I should have put this up as a 'where is this location?' question.

More semaphores... I uploaded the first one in November 2017 as part of a series of Deltics on the ECML but I had cropped it square, showing only the lower (distant) signal. This is the full slide area.. 55005 northbound at Retford on 29th July 1975 (probably my fave shot of the week, weirdly!) 55011 southbound at Newark on 2nd August 1975 55019 (probably!) northbound at Sandy on 31st July 1975 Trevor

Three black&white 'local' views... 55016 enters Newcastle from the north as 46033 stands after bringing in a train from Bristol (probably) on 5th August 1974 Diverted to the slow lines at Low Fell, 55020 passes the loading gauge on the derelict Team Valley Trading Estate exchange sidings on 8th November 1974. 55019 55012 in the snow at Low Fell on 5th December 1976 - Christmas card, anyone? Trevor

Somewhere on the Newcastle-Carlisle line? Trevor

Thanks for the comment. Yes, It was taken during my week with an Eastern Region Rail Rover, staying at suitable b&bs en route or with relatives in Hertfordshire to save going back and forth to Tyneside. I spotted the signals from a passing train and made sure I went back to that spot. Looking forward to some of your 1970s shots (you might have included me on some of them!) Cheers Trevor

Black & white days at Darlington on 24th March 1970 - fifty (gulp!) years ago.. I had just arrived from Newcastle on this train headed by 9003 (or is it D9003? It's different on each end!) Highlight was the down 'Flying Scotsman' with 9004 at the head taking the platform avoiding lines Homeward bound behind 9012 Trevor

55002 enters Durham from the south on 15th March 1975 55004 northbound at Sandy on 31st July 1975 55019 southbound through Newark on 30th July 1975 Trevor

Three from the ECML in 1975.. 55006 departs Doncaster on 2nd August 1975, passing a Class 37 just fresh out of the paint shop, by the look of it 55014 northbound at Retford on 29th July 1975 55011 with the up 'Tees-Tyne Pullman' approaching Newark on 30th July 1975 Trevor

Three views of Deltics crossing the Tyne, all on the King Edward Bridge Seen from the old Redheugh Bridge (now demolished), 55015 heads towards Newcastle on 20th June 1977 55005 approaches the south end of the bridge with the up 'Flying Scotsman' on 1st November 1975 55006 crosses into Gateshead in the low winter sun of 27th December 1975 Trevor

Correct Kev - give that man a coconut! Sunday diversions (that was the clue) were in force due to closure of the ECML south of Newcastle and trains were being routed through East Gateshead via Felling to Pelaw, where they would probably be taking the (now-closed) Leamside branch south and rejoining the main line near Ferryhill. That's Newcastle Civic Centre in the background, on the far side of the Tyne. Here's one at the same spot the following Sunday - makes an interesting comparison with your colour photo,,. 55019 southbound in east Gateshead (Sunday diversions) on 16th March 1975 Cheers Trevor

55007 blasts south through Bensham on 27th July 1975, with new road works in the background Spot the location? 55001 on 9th March 1975 (a Sunday - that's a clue) Trevor SEE NEXT POST by SHMD for the answer

Three views from a favourite spot of mine near King Edward Bridge Junction, Gateshead, when locos were usually starting to be opened up heading south towards Bensham... 55008 on 27th July 1974 55017 on 11th May 1975 55007 on the evening of 26th March 1976 - a bit of a disappointment, he opened up just past me! Trevor