South East of Ouston Junction, the line passed through Birtley and then Washington.
One of the few occasions a single Sulzer Type 2 handled the Tyne Dock to Consett Ore trains. A single Type 2 could handle these trains, but still required bankers at Tyne Dock and South Pelaw. Taken 17 September 1966, copyright Tony LambertSignal post at Ouston Junction in October 1983. The railings in the background are for the bridge that took the line over the East Coast Mainline. Photo copyright Colin AlexanderThe trackbed after track lifting at Rickleton, Washington. Photo copyright Colin AlexanderThe bridge carrying the line over the A167 at Birtley can be seen here in December 1982, two years after the closure of the Consett Steelworks. The bridge still stands today as part of the C2C cycle route. Photo copyright Colin AlexanderTaken at Picktree, the bridge in the foreground (still) gives access to Picktree Lodge estate – that in the distance carries the A1(M). Taken in December 1982, two years after the closure of the steelworks. Photo copyright Colin AlexanderA view of the line at Picktree, looking towards Birtley, taken in December 1982. Photo copyright Colin Alexander
5 thoughts on “Birtley and Washington”
Hi, the final picture on this page is actually looking west, not east. The BOC and Union Camp factories were on the north side of the line, between the line and the Barley Mow and Vigo estates
the signal post in the first picture on this page is the last signal before south pelaw signal box
the railings in the background are on the bridge over the east coast main line
the photo is looking east so the signal box is behind the camera
Remember bunking off school (Pelton Roseberry), with a mate, and ending up there one day as R&A Young of Esh Winning had their 8 wheeled tippers there to take the ballast away, must of been around 1986.
Hi, the final picture on this page is actually looking west, not east. The BOC and Union Camp factories were on the north side of the line, between the line and the Barley Mow and Vigo estates
Thanks for that, much appreciated.
the signal post in the first picture on this page is the last signal before south pelaw signal box
the railings in the background are on the bridge over the east coast main line
the photo is looking east so the signal box is behind the camera
Thanks Colin, appreciated.
Remember bunking off school (Pelton Roseberry), with a mate, and ending up there one day as R&A Young of Esh Winning had their 8 wheeled tippers there to take the ballast away, must of been around 1986.
Regards
Jonathan