Last steam to 'work' the Ore Line

[Cuddie Headrigg]

This picture was taken in June 1983 when Ouston Junction was being re-alligned after closure of the Tyne Dock-Consett Ore line.
I find it amazing steam cranes were still in use at that time. Does anyone know what this Dinosaur was or where it was based?

[52A]

Probably from Low Fell Store Yard, also now overgrown and disused, beside Bensham Hospital.

[Mickey]

What was a Midland 'Peak' doing in NE territory?. I presume it was on a 'Inter Regional' working between the London Midland Region.

Mickey

[Masdraw]

What was a Midland 'Peak' doing in NE territory?. I presume it's on a 'Inter Regional' working between the London Midland Region.

There was a few class 46 'Peaks' at Finsbury Park during the early/mid 1970s although I don't know if they ever went down as far as Newcastle at anytime?.

Mickey

I know very little about diesels but they did work Newcastle - Bangor trains around this time for a short period, probably Newcastle - Liverpool also

[Cuddie Headrigg]

It was, in fact, the SuO 1040 Liverpool-Newcastle.

[Cuddie Headrigg]

Probably from Low Fell Store Yard, also now overgrown and disused, beside Bensham Hospital.

Another shot shows the crane North of the bridge and none of the shots I took show another locomotive!
Would it have worked there itself with the support vehicles in tow? Sorry if this sounds naive on my part!

[52A]

Probably not, a little too far for one of those! Loco and train must have been hiding somewhere!

[Cuddie Headrigg]

Probably not, a little too far for one of those! Loco and train must have been hiding somewhere!

I reckon you're spot on. The third shot in the sequence shows the van deposited on the up freight line, work done
and the crane back with support vans, so the loco must be under the bridge - there being no other place to hide!

[Mickey]

16 years earlier in June 1967 it would have been a dirty looking J27 0-6-0 simmering away behind the photographer.

[52D]

nah micky the J27s would be too busy working under control orders you might catch one with a rake of minerals or travelling past as engine and van.

[Cuddie Headrigg]

Never saw a J27 thereabouts! Actually, I found the neg last night that featured the motive power - a Class 31!

[Mickey]

The J27s seemed to be everywhere around Newcastle, Sunderland & Hartlepool.

Mickey

[johndon]

Never saw a J27 thereabouts! Actually, I found the neg last night that featured the motive power - a Class 31!

Wouldn't mind seeing that once you've scanned it Bill

John

[Cuddie Headrigg]

Never saw a J27 thereabouts! Actually, I found the neg last night that featured the motive power - a Class 31!

Wouldn't mind seeing that once you've scanned it Bill

John

31164 John. Don't know where all the gubbins was hiding, though. Can't remember what I did last week!

Don't know if you would have wanted the mainline stuff for the site, but I'll send them if you do.

[johndon]

Cheers Bill,

Anything at Ouston Junction I'm interested in.

John