Some superb, if somewhat depressing, photos from Stephen McGahon showing the desolation during the work to demolish the Steelworks.
In June 1983, BSc Consett works Sentinel shunter No. 41 brings wagons of scrap from the demolition of the steelworks towards Consett Low Yard where a BR Class 37 will take over for the onward journey. The tall structures standing right of centre are the blast furnace stoves, used to heat the incoming blast with three per furnace. Photo copyright Stephen McGahonIn June 1983, 37209 sits in the Low Yard at Consett Steelworks with a train of 16T mineral wagons of scrap for Tyne Yard. Photo copyright Stephen McGahonConsett Steelworks Sentinel Shunter No 41 sits in the Low Yard in June 1983. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon.Another shot of Sentinel No 41 at the Steelworks marshalling a rake of 16T wagons filled with scrap. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon.
If ever a photo demonstrated the changes at Consett since the loss of the steelworks, it’s this one – taken by Stephen McGahon in August 2017, it is the same location, albeit at a slightly different angle as shown in the first photo above…
Photo copyright Stephen McGahon
Oops…
Two shots of 37030 following an unfortunate collision with the buffers at the steelworks at Consett. As I understand it, the other end of the loco also suffered damage as it’s train of 21 ton hoppers ran in to it.
37030 at the steelworks showing the aftermath of a collision with the buffers on 8 February 1979. Photo copyright John Atkinson37030 at the steelworks showing the aftermath of a collision with the buffers on 8 February 1979. Photo copyright John Atkinson
The changing face of the steelworks…
The following three photographs show the same location with the Steelworks in full production in 1976, shortly after closure in 1980 and following demolition in 1984.
37062 at Consett Works from the A692 bridge on 2 November 1976. Photo copyright Stephen McGahonTaken from a little further along the A692 bridge, compare this photograph with the one above and the one below to see how the site changed over the years. Photo copyright Jon HaleTaken from exactly the same location as the photographs above, this is the site of Consett Works from the A692 bridge just 8 years later on 27 September 1984. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon
The following photographs show various views of the steelworks railway infrastructure shortly after closure in 1980.
Photo copyright Jon HalePhoto copyright Jon HaleTwo MK1 coaches at the steelworks on 22 November 1983. TSO 4471 was used by Consett Industries as accommodation at the former Consett Steel Works site. The coaches were broken up on site in September 1984. Photo copyright Stephen McGahonA view of some of the lines round the steelworks in 1980. Photo copyright Colin Alexander
2 thoughts on “Steelworks”
Great to see these images. Just wish I could place whereabouts they are. !
Great to see these images. Just wish I could place whereabouts they are. !
Hi Colin, the Low Yard was on the Castleside side of Consett. Hard to pinpoint each pictute w/o a map.