The LNER Encyclopedia

Whilst browsing the latest edition of RAIL magazine there was a small note in the around the regions bit(or whatever it's called) That the engine shed from the Lambton Colliery system had been given or offered to Beamish museum as it's in the way of land development. Has anybody heard any more information about this?

Interesting - I know Beamish were going to build a small one at the other end of the town railway to the station which had gone quiet recently, although usually as soon as something is made public it appears on their superb transport blog

This turns out not to be true. Contacted Paul Jarmen on the Beamish Transport Blog and he confirms they haven't been offered it. It is apparently a ruse used by developers to get away with demolishing historic buildings by saying they have offered them to Beamish.

Developers will ignore anything to get their way.

When they were building a new car park for ASDA and other outlets near us, there were several large trees along the road side.

Locals across the road wanted them to stay and got a preservation order on them.

What happened, they got cut down, the car park extended and they were fined a measly £100 for breaking the order.

Yes when they extended a supermarket near us it was cheaper for the contractors to pay the council fine for noise during the night than the late delivery clause in their contract.

What's more it's not just developers with buildings. A number of years ago VSOE scrapped a Gresley BG/Pigeon van that they'd used to use as a baggage van with their Pullmans. Their responce being that they'd offered the van but nobody took it so it was broken up, with reuseable parts salvaged.

Shame - I had my hopes slightly raised. Poor show that Beamish gets used as a handy 'scapegoat'