Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway (pre-LNER)

[stamper]

Hi

I'm looking for details of the Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway (1837 - 1847) - can anyone help?

This line was absorbed by the Wear Valley Railway (1847) ... which was itself absorbed by the Stockton & Darlington Railway (1858) ... which was absorbed by the NER (1863) which, of course, was absorbed by the LNER (1923).

Brian

[redtoon1892]

A little info here

http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Bishop_Auckla ... /frame.htm

[RSderek]

Hi,

While I am no expert, I am from Bishop and am researching the route as I am recreating it in Rail Simulator.

http://dereksiddle.blogspot.com/

What kind of information are you after? I have a number of books and I am happy to help if I can.

regards

Derek

[stamper]

Hi - thanks, Derek

Im looking for details about
- who were the original Board of Directors
- who put up the funding
- where were the BA & Weardale Railway main offices (I am fairly sure that they were at 'Railway Offices', North Gate, Darlington - the same building as the North Eastern Railway offices)
- any early letters or documents about the planning and building of the BA & Weardale Railway
- which stations had Parcels Offices (I believe that at least Bishop Auckland, Crook and Eterley did)
- also any other information about the Parcels service

Also, what particular books do you have, and what kind of coverage do they have?

Thanks again.

Brian

[RSderek]

Hi,

My mian interest is stations and structures, and the books I have reflect that.
However I will delve and see what I can fine.

Memories of the LNER (south West Durham) by Alan w Stobbs
A History of North Eastern Railway Architecture (volume3) Bill Fawcett. There are 2 others which I do not have.
The Weardale Railway - Rebirth of a heritage libe - Tom Hutchinson
The rest of my books are all just general history books, but all have very interesting snippets in.

Other websites I have gathered information from:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stat ... ex10.shtml

http://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/history.htm

http://www.haggerleases.co.uk/history_1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockton_a ... on_Railway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Eastern_Railway_(UK)

regards

Derek

[stembok]

Hello Stamper: Much of the information and records on the NER and its subsidiary lines is held at the National Archives at Kew. Many years ago they used to be at York, but were moved south, much less convenient for those of us up here.You can access the catalogue on line I think. There is also the North Eastern Railway Association (NERA), a group with a special interest in the NER and one that I have always found most helpful. They too have a web site. Good luck!

[Bryan]

You may also find some details at HEAD OF STEAM Darlington North Rd Museum in the Ken Hoole Study Centre.
This is the main repository of the NERA records and photos.
Check website for opening times, I believe at the moment though it is only available 1 day a week due to staff shortage.

[wehf100]

just in cae you haven't already found it:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cata ... ssmethod=5

the main catalogue for this company at the National Archives, I would imagine it is pretty much all you could ask for in terms of original documents, and having a good day down in Kew would probably answer most of your questions. Failing that, I there is a line or two in the various published histories of the NER/ works on the railway pioneers discussed abve- but com one now, there's nothing more satisfying than doing it for yourself!!.

enjoy!

Will

[Bryan]

Found this on another site.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east ... -22223371/

[stamper]

That's almost unbelievable!

If they aimed to get the 18 mile stretch from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate open within 3 years I would have said they were doing well. To get it all open by this Christmas is .... well, great. Good luck to them.

Brian

[RSderek]

I find it amazing too. I was there about 3 months ago and there were trees growing through the stretch of track from BA to Witten Park. Not to mention all the subsidence around the Damn Head section.

I really hope they come through with it though.

And on this topic;
Does anyone know where I can get track/yard layout for this route from around the 40's?

I have a fair amount of info and mapped the whole route from google earth however I lack hard data.

I have laid my track around this area in Rail Simulator all the way to wear head. (Bishop Auckland section below)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8UURvAYF5U/S ... and005.jpg

Any help would be appreciated.

Best regards

Derek

[Malcolm]

Derek,

Try here:

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/widese ... &submit=Go

Malcolm

[Bryan]

Does anyone know where I can get track/yard layout for this route from around the 40's?

I'll refer you to my previous post.

You may also find some details at HEAD OF STEAM Darlington North Rd Museum in the Ken Hoole Study Centre.
This is the main repository of the NERA records and photos.
Check website for opening times, I believe at the moment though it is only available 1 day a week due to staff shortage.

They should have a copy of the track diagrams produced by the NER some of which have been published by the NERA.
http://www.ner.org.uk/

[RSderek]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I have clalled up the Ken Hoole Study Centre and they did not seem to have anything that could help me.
I'm not sure how something so big can be wiped from the face with so few records kept.

I will of course keep looking, does feel like trying to find a needle in a hay stack though.

regards

Derek

[stamper]

Hi (Derek)

I've just been looking at the Marsden Rail series of CDs.

The Marsden Rail 7 (County Durham) CD has some footage from the Weardale line - but I've not seen it, so can't advise if it might be useful to you or not.

Brian