Seen it all happen at Workington as well, everything gone land cleaned and for sale. At the time there was some surplus stock so La'al Ratty (Ravenglass & Eskdale Rly) purchased a large amount of rail enough to keep them going for a few years. Aye kids to day dont know what there missing !
Back to the Saltburn line,
Eaglescliffe Junction next with WD with a wagon load of Durham coalfields 'black diamonds', another lost industry, and early DMU heading east, once a very important change over junction with 4 platforms and catering facilitys, also MOD siding's.
Comming back down the line towards Redcar, in the late 1880's the River Tees port authoritie's decided to build the South Gare breakwater at the Tees esturary in a bid to make the river managable at all tides, work was started and a rail line was built from a junction in Warrenby Steel Works, using the slag as a basic material, the line was lenghtend as tipping progressed untill finally reaching the planned end. A lighthouse and lifeboat station and terrace dwellings was built to house those involved. With the threatened out break of the war the MOD moved in and also used the railway in its construction of anti-aircraft batteries and pill box's. Locos and a sail bogey was used both during and after construction, life boat crews (RNLI volunteers employed in the steelworks) used the sail bogey on call outs for the one and half mile jouney. Between the 1st and 2nd war years the sail bogey was still used by the life boat crews, and for ferrying visitors to and from the lighthouse for a small donation towards the RNLI. With the out brake of the 2nd war the MOD once again used the line for supplies to the anti-aircraft battery. The line was intact untill recent years, untill the automation of the lighthouse and the demolision of the terrace house's.
with the thretened war the MOD became involved, and extensive coastal defence was in progress.
In pre 1st war days VIP's visit the recently opened lighthouse.
sail bogey 3.jpg (8.01 KiB) Viewed 7414 times
the sail bogey in use ferrying day trippers to the lighthouse.
Could I just ask if the above photos are definately of the South Gare line?
Reason I ask is that the Spurn Head railway also used Sail Bogies and the sail rig illustrated looks very similar to that on photos of the Spurn head line.
I am looking at photos in a booklet "The Spurn Head Railway" by KE Hartley & H Frost
Here is a shot of more industry alongside the branch at Urlay Nook. The old British Chrome and chemicals plant that was shut by the yanks in July 2009 to preserve jobs in the U.S. There used be sidings for the factory and loops here. All that remains is a crossover and a box principally to work the level crossing which I understand is under threat of closure if they get CCTV sorted for the crossing.
I always remember the first time I caught a DMU past Urlay Nook there was a huge waste heap beside the factory.It was bright green with yellow streaks in it and it looked like really deadly poison which I guess it was!
Sounds like PinzaC55 is describing a 105 Cravens unit, they did some funny things, mind you they didnt bounce about like the dreaded 142's, from Urlay Nook to Skinningrove works bring it all back, from stinky smells to povertey and employment but most of all happier times.
A tentative offering: these are believed to be in Geneva SB, but since I'm unable to find a picture of the box for the window pattern, I can't say for sure.
I've no idea to the identity of the signalman either sadly. Any ideas?
The shape of the windows, the 20 lever frame, and the position of the fireplace all suggest Geneva.
NER cast iron fender in front of the range; our signalman has polished shoes, and wears a waistcoat and a tie. Excellent photos - it was 17 minutes past 4 in the afternoon, you can almost hear the clock ticking and the block bell ring.
not a train but ... 99 year ago today the Transporter Bridge was opened to cross the River Tees between Midlesbrough and Port Clarence, now the largest of its type in the world, and one of only 3 in England (Midlesbrough-Newport(Wales) both working, and Warrington, listed, a forth at Runcorn demolished in 1961-once the words largest) .
Transporter bridge with Daimler Fleetline and Dennis Lo-liner , the Lo-liner was bought by Middlesbrough Corporation to opperate the M service between the Transporter and Levic Cressent. More Lo-liners were bought and due to age Daimler Fleetline low hight buss arrived. Middlesbrough Corporation had two low bridges on its routes and to identify the Lo-liner and low height Fleetline from the rest of the fleet white steering wheels where fitted.
Mr B
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transporter bridge with daimler fleetline and dennis lowliner.jpg (19.01 KiB) Viewed 6778 times
mr B wrote:not a train but ... 99 year ago today the Transporter Bridge was opened to cross the River Tees between Midlesbrough and Port Clarence, now the largest of its type in the world, and one of only 3 in England (Midlesbrough-Newport(Wales) both working, and Warrington, listed, a forth at Runcorn demolished in 1961-once the words largest) .
