5. Around the NE then home via Hatfield & Stainforth-28.07.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 53. A North British Extravaganza-24-28.07.19 > 5. Around the NE then home via Hatfield & Stainforth-28.07.19

Our final day dawned bright if a little chilly on the northeast coast having stayed at a Travelodge at Ashington. A very new and nice hotel but for the fire alarm erroneously (thankfully!) going off four times during the night! Next morning, after getting my fix of signal box action round Blyth, we headed south calling off at Shildon to find Flying Scotsman in steam. With the weather now returning to type, we headed from home stopping off at Hatfield and Stainforth for some Sunday afternoon freight action. The end of a great and very varied trip, thanks to Andy for the company!

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Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.

North Seaton signal box (NE, c.1872)
The name North Seaton, as applied to this signal box, is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually located in the town of Ashington with its namesake some two miles to the east. Whilst the box has been clad in UPVC with a B&Q front door, underneath it dates from somewhere around 1872 and is a typical North Eastern Railway design. It has now been reduced to the lowly status of a gate box, controlling the level crossing in the foreground. Formerly, it controlled the branch to North Seaton Colliery which left the Blyth and Tyne line just north of North Seaton Viaduct, as well as North Seaton Station.
Keywords: North Seaton signal box

Marchey`s House signal box (NE, 1895)
Apart from having replacement windows, the delightfully named Marchey's House signal box remained largely un-molested. It still retains its wooden nameboard balcony, not that I think any signalman would actually trust it! The box, that is actually located in the village of Stakeford, that controls the line between North Seaton and Bedlington North signal box, as well as the spur to Winning Signal Box.
Keywords: Marchey`s House signal box

NR notice, Marchey s House crossing
There were a number of these laminated notices at various locations such as railway crossing points in the area around Ashington and Blyth. The message is clear, after a long period of inactivity, the railway is in use again. However, rather than trains going to the Alcan aluminum smelter, that has now closed, they are taking biomass to the adjacent power station. However, there are also serious discussions taking place about re-introducing passenger services to the network of lines in this area so train numbers would increase again.
Keywords: NR notice Marchey's House crossing

Winning signal box (NE, 1895)
The North Eastern Railway designed Winning signal box, dating from 1895, is seen in the early morning sunshine complete with an impressive, if modern designed, bracket signal that controls Winning Junction. Notice the strange shape and orientation of the two sighting boards The level crossing now has barriers but up until 2011 it had wooden boom gates, the number of which still remain, largely confined to the northeast, are very few. The branch line leading from Winning terminates at the Alcan alumina facility at North Blyth. It also saw very infrequent trains to and from Battleship Wharf and, until closure in 2001, a lot of coal traffic to and from the North Byth power stations.
Keywords: Winning signal box

Winning Junction
Winning Junction, seen from the level crossing with the signal box directly behind where I am standing. To the right is the chord that leads to the Ashington and Lynmouth line that it joins a short distance away at Marchey`s House. Straight ahead is the southern chord that leads to the same line that heads south towards Beddlington.
Keywords: Winning Junction

Freeman`s signal box (BR, 1956)
The superb 1956 British Railways built Freeman's signal box. It is of a familiar LNER design of brick construction with a flat concrete roof. It is the final box before trains enter the section of the branch to North Blyth with the line terminating at the Alcan alumina loading facility. Notice the yellow structure constructed on the former up line with the notice stating 'End of of Staff Section' on it. This allows the signalman to exchange a token with the driver more easily.
Keywords: Freeman's signal box

Alcan North Blyth facility
The unusually shaped storage silos at Alcan's North Blyth laoding/unloading facility. Here, the raw material for the manufacture of Aluminum is imported and loaded from vessels, into the silos and then into trains for transportation to the Alcan factory at Fort William. Indeed, two days earlier, we saw the empty working heading for North Blyth at Hartwood, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/27308714604/x66739-08-07-fort-william-alcan-north This really is the end of the line as beyond the Alcan complex is the open water of the North Sea, next stop the Netherlands!
Keywords: Alcan North Blyth facility

Bedlington South signal box (NE, date not known)
The impressive Bedlington South signal box is seen with its near-identical North counterpart in the distance beyond the semaphores. The box was constructed the North Eastern Railway being of a slightly earlier design than the 1912 Bedlington North box with a hipped roof. I suspect that it dates from around 1880 with the exact date not known. The box may well control a very short section of track but the track layout is complicated and it also controls the level crossing that is in view.
Keywords: Bedlington Soith signal box

Former Bedlington station
Taken from the level crossing just adjacent to Bedlington South signal box is the old station that was closed on 02.11.64. It was unusual in that it only had one platform that served trains in both directions thus meaning some complicated cross-over moves by down trains. There are active and continuing discussions about the re-opening of this station and a number of others in this relatively poorly rail connected part of the the north east.
Keywords: Former Bedlington station

Former Bedlington station
The former station buildings at Bedlington that look almost as through with a bit of work and a lick of paint that they could be re-opened next month! If local pressure groups, the local authority and the MP for the area have their way it may reopen to passengers by 2022 as the service between Newcastle and Ashington is, initially, introduced.
Keywords: Former Bedlington station

Bedlington North signal box (NE, 1912)
Bedlington North signal box sits in between two sections of double track controlling the junction, the signalling, and the level crossing. To the left, running behind the box, is the main access line into the complex of tracks directly from the ECML some five miles away at Morpeth. In the foreground, curving away to the right is the double-track leading to the former Alcan smelter and power station and the alumina import facility at North Blyth. The signal box is in smart condition only spoilt by the usual UPVC cladding being a NER structure dating from 1912.
Keywords: Bedlington North signal box

Old platform, former Bedlington station
Taken on the old station platform at Bedlington station looking southwards towards the South signal box that can just be seen in the trees. If plans come to fruition, passengers could be using this station again soon to get around this poorly rail connected part of the northeast, possibly within two years.
Keywords: Old platform former Bedlington station

Newsham signal box (NE, date not known)
Newsham signal box is seen in the early morning sunshine located at a level crossing on South Newsham Road. If you were to remove the hideous extension with the beach house-like structure on the top the hip-roofed North Eastern Railway structure is remarkably un-molested with its original wooden window frames. The date of construction is not known but I suspect that it will be somewhere around 1880.
Keywords: Newsham signal box

Looking north, South Newsham Road level crossing
Looking north from South Newsham Road level crossing reveals a double track with semaphores. Both the up and down tracks have been in use relatively recently and the track beds remain fairly weed-free, indeed better than many areas of much busier track that I have visited. At the moment, the lines are freight only. The most recent passenger train traversed the line earlier this year carrying various invited guests, including the then Tory transport minister Chris Grayling. This train covered most of the tracks in this area in connection with the potential re-opening of the lines for passengers, see..... https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/assurances-given-190m-northumberland-rail-15903624
Keywords: Looking north South Newsham Road level crossing

66733, 08.35 Acclington-Carlisle North yard (6G41), Cramlington station
This has to be the ultimate in grab-shots! As we parked the car in Cramlington station car park Andy and I were aware of the passenger service at platform two. As we walked rapidly on to the platform 66703 'Cambridge PSB' appeared at some speed from the north with the 6G41 08.35 Acklington to Carlisle North yard engineering train. With no time to even check the camera settings a picture was taken. Luckily, the composure is acceptable and the shutter speed was high enough to get it sharp; sometimes things just do happen to come together!
Keywords: 66733 08.35 Acklington-Carlisle North yard 6G41 Cramlington station

156472, NT 09.19 Newcastle-Morpeth (2A02, 1L), Cramlington station
156472 leaves Cramlington station with the Sunday morning 09.19 Newcastle to Morpeth service. Notice the steeply cambered track, non-stopping services take full advantage of this passing through at quite a speed! There is talk of the station moving a short distance south of its present location to a far better-suited site for the New Town residents of Cramlington this to better serve employment areas and shoppers. A larger car park and rail-bus interchange could also be constructed.
Keywords: 156472 09.19 Newcastle-Morpeth 2A02 Cramlington station

Ferryhill signal box (LNER, 1952)
This is a signal box that I have passed a number of times travelling up and down the ECML. Going too fast, I have never been able to capture an image so we went a little out of our way to get a photograph. The box was built to a classic 'modern' LNER design in 1957 that was by then part of British Railways. The box was located at the far southern end of one of Ferryhill's station island platforms and controlled this end of the station and the extensive marshaling yard that occupied the land seen here behind the box.
Keywords: Ferryhill signal box

Class 185, TP 11.17 Newcastle-Manchester Airport (1P24, 4L), Ferryhill yard
An unidentified TPE class 185 heads south past Ferryhill working the 11.17 Newcastle to Manchester Airport. There was once a huge and strategically important marshaling yard on the land behind the signal box. This yard handled huge amounts of coal traffic from the pits on the northeast and Durham coalfields but as they closed, the yard has gone into terminal decline. Now, it is a mass a wasteland with just a few sidings where track machines appear to be stabled.
Keywords: Class 185 11.17 Newcastle-Manchester Airport 1P24 Ferryhill yard

142092, NT 10.44 Saltburn-Bishop Auckland (2D07, 8L), Bishop Auckland station
Northern Pacer 142092 arrives at its destination with the 10.44 from Saltburn. For a Sunday morning, the station was surprisingly busy with customers. The station is a single platform affair that at least has some flower tubs and was well maintained. I am not too sure where the two Sheffield United fans, standing on the platform, were going as their team had played a pre-season friendly the previous day at Barnsley. The Pacer, having arrived some eight minutes late, made a hasty return towards Darlington.
Keywords: 142092 10.44 Saltburn-Bishop Auckland 2D07 Bishop Auckland station

Replica nameplate, Morrisons supermarket, Bishop Auckland
On entering the Morrisons store in Bishop Aukland to have a late breakfast, Andy and I were surprised to see a number of replica nameplates and headboards on-display in the lobby. Designed specifically for the steeply graded West Highlands line the LNER Gresley K4 number 61994 wore the original plates 'Great Marquess' a copy of which is seen here. Unfortunately, the Morrisons breakfast was not up to standard. There were obvious staff issues and after a very long wait, it arrived in far from peak condition!
Keywords: Replica nameplate Morrisons supermarket, Bishop Auckland

Replica headboard, Morrisons supermarket, Bishop Auckland
Another of the replica nameplates and headboards on display in the Morrisons lobby at Bishop Aukland. The Tees-Tyne Pullman operated on the ECML from 1948 and was finally discontinued in 1976. For many years it ran with a dedicated set of Pullman coaches and marshaled in the train was the celebrated 'Hadrian Bar'. In its later years, the titled train was usually headed by a class 55 deltic.
Keywords: Replica headboard Morrisons supermarket, Bishop Auckland

Shildon signal box (NE, 1887) & up starter
Shildon signal box is a grade II listed example of a variant of the NER's type 2c box. It is remarkably original condition have been in receipt of significant work in 1928 and 1984, It retains its as-built glazing and wooden steps and I suspect then when closure beckons it will be preserved.
Keywords: Shildon signal box

60103, demonstration train, Shildon
With very few observers about, unlike the crazy scenes out on the mainline, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' brings a short train down the Locomotion Museum's demonstration track at Shildon. The brake vans behind the locomotive were packed with museum visitors who had queued for quite some time to do so. At the back of the short train was 09911 'Matey' giving some assistance on the outward run.
Keywords: 60103 demonstration train Shildon

60103 & 08911, demonstration train, Shildon
089911 'Matey' is being towed at the back of a short train composed of two brake vans. At the front is 60103 'Flying Scotsman' that was in-steam and was attracting the interest of many visitors. The scene is photographed at the National Railway Museum's Shildon outpost, dubbed 'Locomotion'.
Keywords: 60103 08911 demonstration train Shildon

Heighington signal box (NE, c.1872)
An early example of a North Eastern Railway signal box and one of the earliest in the country, in fact only four are believed to pre-date it. It also contains, what is believed to be, the oldest lever frame still in use dating from the inter-war years. Consequently, it is grade II listed in its own right but has additional group value with the listed former railway station buildings, dating to 1826, that lie immediately across the track. In addition, Heighington has a special historic interest as it was here in 1825 that George Stephenson's Locomotion No.1 was first put on the track of the Stockton and Darlington Railway to inaugurate the world's first passenger service.
Keywords: Heighington signal box

Transport Trust plaque, Heighington station
The historical value of the small and somewhat unremarkable station at the edge of an industrial estate at Newton Aycliffe named Heighington cannot be overemphasised. The Transport Trust says it all It was here in 1825 that Locomotion No. 1 designed by George Stephenson was placed on the track prior to its first journey, that is after somebody found a way to light the fire! It was also the scene of a tragedy and a disaster on 1 July 1828 when the boiler of Locomotion No. 1 exploded, killing the driver.
Keywords: Transport Trust plaque Heighington station

158849, NT 14.02 Scarborough-Sheffield (1J13, 2L), Hatfield & Stainforth station
Looking very smart in the new Northern livery 1588849 passes through Hatfield and Stainforth station forming the 14.02 Scarborough to Sheffield service. The train has just passed the former Hatfield colliery that finally closed in 2015 bringing to an end one hundred and five years of production. The point in the distance where the tracks go out of sight is where the infamous slip occurred during 2013 when a spoil heap, loosened by rain soaking into it, of an estimated 1,000,000 cubic meters slumped on to and completely overwhelmed the running lines. It took until July to clear the lines and stabalise the land, a major headache for train planners as the four tracks seen are strategically important, particularly to freight movement.
Keywords: 158849 14.02 Scarborough-Sheffield 1J13 Hatfield & Stainforth station

60011, 11.38 Redcar B.S.C.-Scunthorpe Trent (6N11), Hatfield & Stainforth station
Contrary to what you might believe from this photograph, 60011 is in fact at walking pace just restarting the incredibly heavy 6N11 11.38 Redcar to Scunthorpe Trent flyash train. The train had come to a halt, with the wagons straddling Stainforth Junction in the distance, for a driver to alight from the cab and get into a taxi that was waiting in the station carpark. The relief driver then did a skilled job with the three thousand one hundred bhp available to him to get the train moving. This type of train is exactly what a class 60 was designed for, and one that they operate with no fuss despite coming up for thirty years old.
Keywords: 60011 11.38 Redcar B.S.C.-Scunthorpe Trent 6N11 Hatfield & St

142071, NT 16.15 Doncaster-Hull (2C46, 2L), Hatfield & Stainforth station
142071 enters platform two at Hatfield and Stainforth station with the 16.15 Doncaster to Hull Northern service. The Pacer still carries its Northern Trains livery with no new branding having been applied. With the first Pacers now having been withdrawn, and the rest having to be out of service in the next five months, it is likely that there will be no costly vinyls produced for these ridiculed and un-loved units that have been in operation longer than the first generation DMUs that they replaced!
Keywords: 142071 16.15 Doncaster-Hull 2C46 Hatfield & Stainforth station

Class 185, TP 15.26 Cleethorpes-Manchester Airport (1B85, 8L), Hatfield & Stainforth station
With the winding gear of the closed Hatfield colliery behind it, an unidentified TPE class 185 passes Hatfield and Stainforth station forming the 1B85 15.26 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport service. Notice in the foreground the uncontrolled vegetation growth between the running lines at the end of the platforms. By this time next year, these relatively small saplings will be brushing the sides of passing trains. I hope that the Network Rail arborists can get out and do their work before this happens.
Keywords: Class 185 15.26 Cleethorpes-Manchester Airport 1B85 Hatfield & Stainforth station

66708, 15.28 Scunthorpe Roxby Gullet-Doncaster Down Decoy (6D61), Hatfield & Stainforth station
66708 'Jayne' takes the station avoiding line at Hatfield and Stainforth with the 6D61 15.28 Scunthorpe to Doncaster empty scrap wagon train. This was the third freight seen at this location in less than hour on a late Sunday afternoon! Andy and I have vowed to return to this area again on a weekday to get some more freight action in!
Keywords: 66708 15.28 Scunthorpe Roxby Gullet-Doncaster Down Decoy 6D61 Hatfield & Stainforth station

158861, NT 15.54 Hull-Doncaster (2C33, 2E), Hatfield & Stainforth station
In the late July murk at Hatfield and Stainforth 158861 'Magna Carta 800 - Lincoln 2015' passes with the 15.54 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. As with other units, this one still wears its Northern Rail livery but devoid of any branding. Unlike the lowly Pacers, these Sprinters are gradually being repainted (or vinyl wrapped) into the operators 'new' look.
Keywords: 158861 15.54 Hull-Doncaster 2C33 Hatfield & Stainforth station

170477, NT 15.02 Scarborough-Sheffield (1J15, 2E) Hatfield & Stainforth station
One of Northern's newly acquired class 170s passes through Hatfield and Stainforth station working the Northern 15.02 Scarborough to Sheffield service. 170477 is one of sixteen members of the class that Northern acquired from ScotRail made surplus due to electrification and the arrival of the cascaded former Great Western HST short sets; the procurement of stock on the UK network is such a fickle affair!
Keywords: 170477 15.02 Scarborough-Sheffield 1J15 Hatfield & Stainforth station

66011, 14.19 Immingham biomass-Drax Power Station (6H75), Hatfield & Stainforth station
60011 gets underway from Hatfield and Stainforth station having been held fo a unit to pass. The EWS branded class 66 is leading the 6H75 14.19 Immingham to Drax power station biomass train. This is one of several that run daily to feed the power station's insatiable appetite for its new fuel now that it is longer coal-fired. Notice a previous government's Northern Powerhouse branding on the leading wagon, a policy throwback to the Cameron administration that appears to have been quietly dropped.
Keywords: 66011 14.19 Immingham biomass-Drax Power Station 6H75 Hatfield & Stainforth station

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