Mystery Location - where is this?

[Norfolkman]

These two photos were recently sent to me by a friend trying to work out where they were taken. They were taken by the Late Roger Harrison but he left no notes on where he took them. Any ideas?

Steve

[strang steel]

Is the top one Gateshead?

[52A]

Neither picture Gateshead.

[Robert the Devil]

Doesn't the file name of the two pictures suggest the answer? i.e. Doncaster.

[Norfolkman]

My friend who scanned them guessed Doncaster but he's not sure as we can't find anything in pictures that matches those in these pictures.

[Andy W]

I'm guessing here because I only saw this shed from the main line side but when I first saw these shots I thought "New England".

[61070]

Good hunch Andy - a photo on page 85 of GNR Engine Sheds Vol. 1 Southern Area (Griffiths & Hooper) confirms New England for 60044. It's taken from a similar angle and includes the two distinctive chimney stacks behind.

Is that a stream of glowing cinders falling from the bottom of the smokebox door of 60036?

[61962]

Looks like the door has a hole burnt through. What's the betting this loco is a failure having had a rough trip from York or Kings Cross short of steam despite the double Kylchap!!

Eddie

[Andy W]

It was the picture of 60036 that made me think of New England. That looks very much like the roof pattern of the old repair shops but taken from the East Side, not that far away from the coaling plant which, if I have got this correct, lies to the right of where the photographer is standing.

[Norfolkman]

Thanks chaps, comments duly passed on to my enquiring friend.

Steve

[strang steel]

I'm guessing here because I only saw this shed from the main line side but when I first saw these shots I thought "New England".

The top photo appears to have a large urban area on the left horizon. If that is 1960s Peterborough then it certainly does not look like it did when I used to visit, and that is not counting the fact that it appears to be on the side of a hill, which is difficult to find in the Peterborough area.

If that is New England then I am going to need a serious increase in my medication.

[PinzaC55]

I'm guessing here because I only saw this shed from the main line side but when I first saw these shots I thought "New England".

The top photo appears to have a large urban area on the left horizon. If that is 1960s Peterborough then it certainly does not look like it did when I used to visit, and that is not counting the fact that it appears to be on the side of a hill, which is difficult to find in the Peterborough area.

If that is New England then I am going to need a serious increase in my medication.

I would have said Darlington but that is just an opinion.

[Iron Duke]

Found this picture with a caption:- A3 no. 60045 in front of the coaling tower at Darlington (1964)

[Andy W]

I was confused by the track layout, which seems to have been simplified since the plan in GN Engine Sheds Southern Area, as well as those equally confusing buildings on the skyline. But the buildings behind 60036 are identical to the repair shop style at (& plan of) New England and when you blow the picture up, the stops of the adjacent yard (as shown on the plan in the book) are visible as well as the front of a 350 shunter sitting slightly oddly on the shop road.

So I went on the net and found a tender first picture of 60017 at New England (Brians railway pictures - ECML) and, despite the resolution not being ideal, it is the same buildings we are looking at, but from the opposite direction. I am now pretty sure, m'lud, it is indeed New England.

[JASd17]

The coaling tower view is New England.

So, is the other shot looking the other way?

Not sure. But if you have access to the individual 'colour slides' and the numbers match consecutively on the film, you may know.

You may have to take them out of the mounting to know the above. Be careful.

John