On 29 September 1985, whilst involved in the lifting of track on the branch, loco 31102 and a train of 5 wagons and a brake van ran away from the site of Pelton station all the way to Tyne Yard where they were eventually stopped by colliding with 37072.
The accident report, from which I have redacted the names of those involved, can be seen here:
and here are some photos of the aftermath:
Me and my friends were sitting on the line by Jakeys ladder when it rolled away. A worker jumped out of brake van and asked if the driver got in. We said we hadn’t seen anyone. The driver was further up the track.
Thanks for posting John. Accident reports are always interesting.
Where the two loco’s scrapped ?. I have a fondness for the Class 37, albeit pre TOPP’s.
I have a few pic’s of her, 6772, in Middlesbrough c1972/3 just prior to me leaving the UK for Canada.
Both locos were repaired and returned to service.