johndon

The aftermath of a derailment at South Pelaw Junction in September 1979 when a pair of Class 37's returning from Consett with an empty ore train came off the rails negotiating the junction for the Washington line and came to a stop just short of the signal box. (Photos copyright Colin Brewes used with permission) Note in the first photo just above the first wagon that the lines that allowed trains to and from Ouston Junction access to the sidings at Stella Gill have been severed. John

Knew I'd seen it somewhere, that photo appears on page 16 of the January 2007 issue of Steam World Magazine. John

Thanks for those. Another photo turned up this weekend showing the train at Annfield Plain with the Class 40 banker visible at the rear but no chance of identifying the loco from the pic... John

34 years ago today the final ore train ran to Consett...

I know that the last 9F hauled or train ran on 19 November 1966 behind 92063 but does anyone know what locomotive has used as the banker from South Pelaw Junction. I'm guessing that it would have been a Type 4 (Class 40) diesel but haven't been able to confirm? John

Here's mine in colour for comparison: John

A tatty looking 56009 sits at the shed waiting it's next turn of duty: John

66100 shunting at Tyne Yard on 15 August 2014. John

As a perfect example of how the railway in Consett has been obliterated from the landscape I present the following two pics: Beyond Consett station was Carr House West (later just Carr House) signal box. 37094 approaches the signal box on 11 May 1982 with a load of scrap from the steelworks which was, by then, being demolished. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon And now a Google Street View of the same location. The houses on the left of the photo are still there but nothing else in the original photo remains except the loco itself which currently belongs to DRS albeit in storage. John

Thanks for that, much appreciated. John

One of the contributors to my site has sent me the following photo showing, rather strangely, 2 MK1 coaches at Consett Steelworks in 1983 (3 years after closure). Neither he nor I have any idea what the would have been doing there and wonder if anyone may be able to shed some light... Photo copyright Stephen McGahon, used with permission.

And this is what is left now... The base of the last remaining BR signal box on the Tyne & Wear Metro Tynemouth North has been demolished. by PaulYoung1968, on Flickr John

66177 at Tyne Yard 2 August 2014, note what appear to be bare metal cab roofs... John

After the excitement of the Colas 70 it's gone pretty quite over the last couple of days. Here's a few from 18 July 2014... 66747 arrives with a train of wagons that certainly look like they've seen better days: It then ran round it's train: And then coupled to 66562 which, I assume had failed and left with it in tow: John

66562 & 66747 at Tyne Yard 18 July 2014 John

First one I've seen, ugly as sin but they are impressive particularly in the Colas colours. John

The first, as far as I know, time a Colas 70 has visited Tyne Yard: Just about to leave: and just about to join the southbound ECML: John

Despite showing as cancelled, I took a chance and got there just in time as it left at 11:05 Starting up: and then a quick chase down to the southern end of the yard to see it heading towards the ECML: John

Just spotted on Realtime trains that it has been cancelled... John

Tried this morning but just no way to get side on the vans. John

Managed to get down to the yard at 7 this morning. Unfortunately, the 70 was parked at the south end of the yard which you can't get anywhere near so this was the best I could do with the camera on full zoom (picture is not too bad seeing as this must be over half a mile away). I'm going to try to get down to see it leaving later this morning. Spotted another unusual visitor in the shed, a 67: And 66562: John

Didn't get down there today but I am reliably informed that there is a Class 70 parked there overnight so I'll be popping down in the morning as I've not seen one before... John

If they are still there tomorrow, I'll see what I can do but that pic was taken with a 20x zoom and a side on view is a bit difficult. John

This weeks visitors have included 66101: 66747: and these 2 wagons: John

6th July and 5 Freightliner 66s, 66527, 66953, 66553, 66510 & 66559 (the 30x optical zoom on the new camera is proving very useful...) John