Passenger Trains

Whilst the passenger service on the line ceased in May 1955, latterly the line saw a surprising number of Railtours as well as a visit from the Royal Train when Prince Charles visited Consett in December 1982 following the closure of the Steelworks.

LAST PASSENGER TRAIN – 17 March 1984

As I’m getting ever more information on the last passenger train, I have separated it off on to a page of it’s own here.

1983/1984

After the closure of the Steelworks in 1980, the Derwentside Rail Action Group fought to keep the line to Consett open and for the reintroduction of passenger trains alongside and improved bus service.

On 27 February 1984, a Class 100 DMU by then in Departmental use, was used as an inspection train run by the County Council who invited members of the Derwentside Rail Action Group along with councillors and officials of British Rail as part of a feasibility study in to keeping the line open. The train stopped at all the station sites and making it the last stopping train on the line. (My thanks to Donald Kent for this information).

Class 100 DMU at Beamish on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright John Wilks

Class 100 DMU at East Castle on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright John Wilks

Inspection Saloon Heading for Consett, at Stanley looking East on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant

Inspection Saloon Heading for Consett, at Stanley looking West on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant

Inspection Saloon Returning from Consett, at Greencroft Curve on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant

Inspection Saloon Returning from Consett, at Ouston Junction on 27 February 1984.
Photo copyright Craig Oliphant

THE ROYAL TRAIN – 3 December 1982

Royal Train between Annf. Plain & Stanley 3-12-82 — The Royal Train between Annfield Plain and Stanley. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

Hauled by the specially prepared Class 31 locomotives, 31415 and 31403, the Royal Train took Prince Charles to Consett on 3 December 1982.

By this time of course, Consett Station was no more so the Prince had to disembark in to the mud using a set of wooden steps. The Prince left Consett by other means resulting in an empty return working for the train.

In the cab that day were Tyne Yard men Driver George Milley and second man Alan Dodds.

The Royal Train passes Carr House West Signal Box on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Malcolm Braim

31403 & 31415 run round the coaches of the Royal Train on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Malcolm Braim

The Royal Train at Carr House on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant

6914646318_9efa27f4e9_o — The Royal train approaching Annfield Plain. Photo copyright Neil Young

6914646788_1575cd397e_o — The Royal train approaching Annfield Plain. Photo copyright Neil Young

6914645538_530dc80ba8_o — A small crowd of locals look down on the Royal Train as Prince Charles disembarks the train at Consett. Photo copyright Neil Young

7060728083_cc70be9db1_o — The Royal Train leaving Consett heading towards Leadgate. Photo copyright Neil Young

R.C.T.S. NORTH EASTERN NO.5 RAILTOUR – 27 September 1980

Consisting of a 3 car (Class 101) and 2 car DMU, ran from Leeds to Consett and back.

Saturday the 27th of September 1980 saw the RCTS run a railtour from Leeds taking in a number of freight only lines in the North East of England. The North Eastern No 5 stands at Consett North. Photo copyright Douglas Johnson

THE ‘GREAT FAREWELLS’ TOUR – 20 September 1980

37143 on The Great Fairwells railtour at Consett (20 September 1980) — The Great Fairwells Tour stands at Consett. Photo Copyright Alan Lewis

The ‘Great Farewells’ tour, named for the closure of both Consett and New Holland Pier ran from Kings Cross to Consett on 20 September 1980.

The train consisted of 9 Mk1 coaches pulled by a number of different locomotives with Class 37, 37143, in charge on the section from Doncaster to Consett with Class 08, 08373, used at Consett to move the coaches whilst 37143 ran round the train.

For further information on the tour, click here.

37143 at Consett. Photo copyright John Atkinson

The full consist of the train to and from Consett was as follows:

37143 – Class 37 locomotive
16008 – Composite 1st and 2nd Class Corridor (CK)
25182 – 2nd Class Corridor (SK)
25806 – 2nd Class Corridor (SK)
25444 – 2nd Class Corridor (SK)
1682 – 2nd Class and unclassified Restaurant and Kitchen
25053 – 2nd Class Corridor (SK)
26090 – 2nd Class Corridor (SK)
4472 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
14101 – 1st Class Brake Corridor (BK)

Below are copies of the documentation received by the passengers on the Great Fairwells tour:

37143 runs round it’s train at Consett North. Part of the old engine shed to the left. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

TYNE-TEES LTD – 22 March 1980

Tyne Tees Railtour — The Tyne-Tees Ltd Railtour passing Penshaw Station. Photo Copyright Alan Lewis

The Tyne-Tees Ltd railtour ran from Cardiff to Consett Steelworks and back on 22 March 1980. Pulled by 37114 from York to Consett with a train consisting of 10 Mk1 coaches this railtour also traversed the Leamside line (another line now consigned to the history books) and got to South Pelaw Junction via Washington.

At Consett, the coaches were pulled by 08271 while 37114 ran round it’s train. On leaving Consett, the train headed back to South Pelaw Junction where it took the line to Ouston Junction and headed to Newcastle where the loco was changed to 40118 for the return journey to York.

For further information on the tour, click here.

With the church spires towering above the town, 37114 heads away from Stanley towards Annfield Plain en route to Consett. Photo copyright Bob Lumley

37114 rounds Brooms Curve at Leadgate with the Tyne-Tees Ltd on 22 March 1980. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

Tyne-Tees Ltd. Brooms curve,Leadgate 22-3-80 37 114 — Another shot of 37114 as it rounds Brooms Curve at Leadgate with the Tyne-Tees Ltd on 22 March 1980. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

Tyne-Tees Ltd. climbing towards Annfield Plain 22-3-80 37114 — 37114 climbing towards Annfield Plain with the Tyne-Tees Ltd on 22 March 1980. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

Tyne -Tees Ltd. Consett North 22-3-80 37 114 — 37114 at Consett North with the Tees-Tyne Ltd on 22 March 1980. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

9558630122_e711c053f5_o — 37114 runs round it’s train at Consett. Photo copyright John Williamson

9558629220_d8b80b1cc9_o — 37114 runs round it’s train at Consett. Note the brand new Railfreight branded SPA and BDA wagons to the right. Photo copyright John Williamson

9522398559_8dd0e15ee4_o — A view of the steelworks from the Tyne-Tees Ltd. Photo copyright John Williamson

COUNTY DURHAM CRUSADER – 12 & 19 May 1979

370620 on County Durham Crusader Railtour 19 May 1979 Alan Lewis — The County Durham Crusader struggles up the hill past the site of Beamish Station. Photo Copyright Alan Lewis

Originally scheduled for 24 March 1979 but cancelled due to bad weather and re-run on 12 May 1979, this particular railtour proved so popular it was run again the following weekend.

Run from Kings Cross with the journey to Consett via Ouston Junction and South Pelaw Junction and the return via South Pelaw Junction and Washington, the train on 12 May was pulled by 37062 and on 19 May by 37085 with a consist of 11 Mk1 coaches.

For more information on the 12 May tour, click here and here for the 19 May tour.

The full consist of the train on 12 May was as follows:

37062 – Class 37 Locomotive
5069 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4461 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4529 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4666 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4990 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
1546 – 2nd Class and unclassified Restaurant and Kitchen
35418 – 2nd Class Brake Corridor (BK)
13256 – 1st Class Corridor (CK)
4631 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4632 – 2nd Class Open (SO)
4759 – 2nd Class Open (SO)

The Country Durham Crusader takes the line to Washington at South Pleaw Junction on the return journey from Consett on 12 May 1979. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon — The County Durham Crusader takes the line to Washington at South Pelaw Junction on the return journey from Consett on 12 May 1979. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

5329992791_4d39764d4e_o — 37085 at Consett with the County Durham Crusader railtour on 19 May 1979. Photo copyright Charlie Osta

5330600750_a729265e4a_o — 37085 at Consett with the County Durham Crusader railtour on 19 May 1979. Photo copyright Charlie Osta

5330603292_1485aef841_o — 37085 at Consett with the County Durham Crusader railtour on 19 May 1979. Photo copyright Charlie Osta

5326385359_83b4dfe1ac_o — 08081 at Consett with the consist of the Country Durham Crusader railtour on 19 May 1979. Photo copyright Charlie Osta

08274 at Consett with the consist of the Country Durham Crusader railtour on 12 May 1979. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

The County Durham Crusader passes Oxhill on 19 May 1979 heading towards Consett. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

The County Durham Crusader passes between East Castle and Greencroft on 19 May 1979 on the return journey from Consett. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

08274 shunts the coaches of the ‘County Durham Crusader’ rail tour at the steelworks on 12 May 1979. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

STOCKTON & DARLINGTON 150 ANNIVERSARY – 19 July to 27 September 1975

Rail 150 Tour 6-9-75 — A four car Class 101 DMU and another three car unit on a Railtour at South Pelaw Junction on 6 September 1975. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon

As part of the Stockton & Darlington 150th Anniversary a number of passenger specials, in the form of diesel multiple units, ran between Darlington Bank Top Station and Consett.

Costing £1.50 for adults and 75p for children, the specials followed the routes of the Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway, the Durham Junction Railway and the Brandling Junction Railway as well as the route of the Stanhope and Tyne and part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.