It’s been a while since the last update but here we have three superb photos from Craig Oliphant. On 28 September 1983, Class 31s 31275 and 31277 made the final delivery of coal to Consett. On the 30th (thanks Craig), the empty wagons would form the final revenue earning train to leave Consett.
Wonderful photos its sad that its the last coal job I was thinking it would be a class 37 but nice to see 2 class 31’s
Yes, I was most surprised to see a pair of 31’s, the empties were returned two days later on the Friday by 37023.
Hi there, the delivery was on the 19th and the coal merchant had emptied the four wagons that were delivered by the Friday 30th and the last train was the empties which ran on that day, Friday 30th Sept 83.
Oops. Delivery 28th, collection 30th.
As you say, 3 superb photos. The numbers clearly visible on the middle one in particular. The wonderful frisson of 31s in tandem would have been quite unusual, I don’t remember them operating much in pairs but then again no one paid much attention to 31s back then. Double-headed 20s in Tyne Yard were the favoured cause célèbre.
If I recall correctly, and relying on a sketch I did as a teenager, the hopper in the background of photos 1 and 2 was supplied by conveyor from a well situated beneath one of the former goods yard sidings.
You can see the conveyor.
That method was best suited to unloading hopper wagons, which I remember seeing an 08 shunter moving about as well as delivering to the coal drops at Blackhill in the former station site.
One of the only shots I have of the station yard from the 70s has a Class 40 sat there. A difference from the usual Class 37 fare.
The 40 was early 80s, my mistake. 40 075 – in the yard with three coal hoppers September 1981
Really interested in the Class 37s that worked to Consett with 16 Ton mineral wagons, I remember a photograph being posted online of a split box Class 37 with the unloading point and coal pile on the left and the terrace houses behind.
Would you be able to help with this please?
This one?
https://southpelawjunction.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Consett-coal-depot-17-6-83-37-079.jpg