9F 92064 at South Pelaw with a loaded iron ore train and a Type 4 diesel at the rear of the train ready for banking up the hill to Consett. It appears to be weekend as the train has come from Ouston Junction rather than Washington. Photo copyright Norman HugillOn 28 July 1965, 9F 92061 waits at signals by the Flatts Road bridge at South Pelaw while banker D393 was being refuelled at Lamesley. Photo copyright John Stark9F 92099 backs onto a Consett bound coal train at South Pelaw Junction on 22 July 1965. Photo copyright John Stark9F 92061 returns to Tyne Dock with iron ore empties from Consett on 22 July 1965. It has just passed under the bridge at the Washington end of the junction and will shortly pass over the ECML at Ouston Junction. Photo copyright John StarkA Q6 heads tender first across the junction from the Consett line to Washington in 1966. Photo copyright Bill Watson9F 92064 at South Pelaw with a train of coal empties from Consett heading towards Ouston Junction in 1966. Photo copyright Bill Watson.
Coal trains arriving at South Pelaw were, even with the use of 9Fs, too heavy to be taken up the hill to Consett in one go so they were broken in to three sets of wagons and parked in the sidings between the lines to Ouston Junction and Washington. The three photos below show 9Fs shunting the wagons and then heading off to Consett with one of the three sets of wagons.
9F 92060 shunts a coal train at South Pelaw in 1966. Photo copyright Bill Watson.9F 92060 shunts a coal train at South Pelaw in 1966. Photo copyright Bill Watson.9F 92061 leaves South Pelaw with a coal train in 1966. Note the rest of wagons in the two sidings in the background. Photo copyright Bill Watson.
9F 92097 descends with an iron ore empties while sister 92061 waits with a loaded train at South Pelaw while banker D393 is being refuelled at Tyne Yard. Photo copyright John Stark
9F 92098 leaves South Pelaw Junction on 19 July 1965 with a coal train for Consett. Photo copyright John Stark9F 92099 leaves South Pelaw junction on 19 July 1965 with a Consett bound coal train. EE Type 3 D6790 banking at rear. Photo copyright John Stark9F 92060 at South Pelaw Junction. Photo taken from the brake van of an iron ore train that 92060 is about to bank up the hill towards Consett. Note the coal wagons in the South Pelaw Colliery exchange sidings on the right. Copyright D Chandler Collection
In 1966, a type 2 diesel (Class 24) is ready to head up the hill to Consett having split it’s train at South Pelaw. Photo copyright Bill WatsonIn 1966, a Type 2 diesel waits for road to head to Tyne Dock via Washington (or is waiting to crossover to bank the coal train) with a brake van in tow. The coal train in the previous photo is in the background. Photo copyright Bill Watson.On 22 July 1965, EE Type 3 (Class 37) leaves South Pelaw junction with coal empties over the old Stanhope and Tyne route. The loco headcode does not agree with the lamp code on the brake tender. Photo copyright John StarkPulling away from Stella Gill where the banker was attached, 9F 92061 is the train engine and EE Type 4 D248 the banker on a Consett iron ore train. Photo copyright John StarkEnglish Electric Type 3 D6785 (Class 37) heads down the incline from Consett to South Pelaw Junction with both a brake van and a brake tender. Loaded coal wagons in Stella sidings on 22 July 1965. Photo copyright John StarkEnglish Electric Type 3 D6789 with a coal train leaving Stella Gill sidings. Behind the loco is a brake tender to assist with braking on the gradients. Taken on 22 July 1965 copyright John Stark.9F 92065 negotiates South Pelaw Junction with an iron ore train in 1960. Note the 9F in the background which will bank the train and the 21 ton hoppers in the South Pelaw Colliery exchange sidings. Photo by Ken Swann, courtesy of Beamish Museum.
Type 2 (later Class 25) D5179 at South Pelaw Junction in September 1966. The working is unusual for a couple of reasons, firstly the locomotive is a Class 25 rather than the normal Class 24s and there is just the one locomotive (which isn’t fitted with the high level air pipes to operate the wagon doors), usually the trains would be double headed. However, it does appear that the wagons may be empty so this may have just been an empty stock movement which would explain the use of a single locomotive.
Photo Author’s Collection
From Colin Brewes, we have a couple of photos. The first shows 92095 and 92068 passing at South Pelaw with full and empty iron ore trains. Note the hopper wagons on the right in the snowplough sidings, South Pelaw Colliery on the left and Stella Gill Flatts signal box in the background.
Photo copyright Colin Brewes.
From Rail-Online we have a couple of atmospheric shots of an iron ore train starting the climb to Consett from South Pelaw Junction.
Taken in the early to mid 1960s, there’s lots of interest in these two photographs which show Stella Gill Coke works in the background along with Stella Gill Flatts signal box and the NCB building and footbridge which exist to this day. Note also, to the right of the signal, the buffer stops for the, by now gone, snowplough sidings. The buffer stops, minus the cross beams (albeit they were still there in 2007), are still there today in the undergrowth.
By this time, banking was carried out using Type 4 (later Class 40) diesels based at Gateshead shed, in this case, D242 is doing the honours.
Courtesy of Patrick O’Brien, here are a number of shots all taken on 8 September 1966.
An unidentified 9F begins the climb to Consett with a train of 21T hopper wagons. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92065 heads a rake of coal wagons on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92060 heads up the incline at Pelaw Junction on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92063 has the easy task of drifting down the bank with the iron ore empties on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92060 heading in to Stella Gill sidings on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’Brien.Tyne Dock 9F 92097 heading up the gradient to Consett with a loaded ore train on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92097 heading up the gradient to Consett with a loaded ore train on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienTyne Dock 9F 92097 heading up the gradient to Consett with a loaded ore train on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’BrienQ6 63436 drifts down the incline at South Pelaw Junction tender first with a rake of coal wagons on 8 September 1966. Photo copyright Patrick O’Brien
The following set of superbly atmospheric photographs were all taken by Bill Watson at South Pelaw in the 1960s. Bill tells me he had a line-side permit issued by the Public Realations & Publicity Department at York hence the reason why he was able to get so close to some of the subjects in the photographs.
A 9F hauled coal train at sunset against the light on the Tyne Dock line. However, in the background work had just commenced on the C.W.S. warehouse on Drum Lane and piles are being driven. Further in the distance is the spoil heap from the Ouston E Pit (I think) and down at Ouston Junction the brick hut that was next to the signal box is still intact. This was taken from the old spoil heap to the South of the line. Photo copyright Bill WatsonTaken just after the previous image, the same 9F is now being used to push a failed Type 2 clear of the junction so the Type 4 banker can get behind the train. Photo copyright Bill WatsonOn a date unknown, a shot of a K1 on empty hoppers just north of Ouston Junction reflected in the ‘Springs Pond’. This was formed when the slag tip from the Birtley Iron Works blocked up the spring and stream it is named after. In later years it was stocked and fished by Carp Anglers. Photo Copyright Bill WatsonOne of Tyne Docks’ Sulzer Type 2s approaching South Pelaw from the main line via Ouston Junction on an ore train for Consett and being banked, unusually, by two Type 2 Clayton Class 17s, a practice which proved unworkable with the result that two Class 24s were, ultimately, used to double head the trains. Photo copyright Bill WatsonTaken a few seconds after the previous photo, we now see the iron ore train and it’s Clayton bankers at South Pelaw Junction. We also have a Type 2 on a coal train on the Washington line, a Type 3 shunting coal wagons in the sidings and a Type 2 heading back from Consett with a rake of empty iron ore wagons. Photo copyright Bill WatsonNER Q6 63366 nears South Pelaw on an oil train for Consett. In the background is the spoil heap of the Ouston E Pit and the piling for the construction of the Co-op warehouse at Ouston Junction. Copyright Bill WatsonNER Q6 63455 basks in the sun at South Pelaw box. Photo copyright Bill WatsonLNER K1 62060 arrives at South Pelaw and is splitting it’s load for Consett. A K1 or Q6 would only manage 7 or 8 hoppers and a guards van on the 1 in 35 to Consett! Photo copyright Bill WatsonLNER K1 62060 sets of from South Pelaw up the 1 in 35 gradient to Consett. Photo copyright Bill WatsonNER Q6 63387 sets of from South Pelaw on a coal Train for Consett. Photo copyright Bill WrightLate in the day, English Electric Type 3 D6820 nears South Pelaw on oil tanks from Consett. Photo Copyright Bill WatsonAn unidentified English Electric Type 3 (later Class 37) leaves South Pelaw for Consett on coal hoppers. Photo copyright Bill WatsonA LNER K1 sets off for Consett at Stella Gill, South Pelaw. Photo copyright Bill WatsonNER Q6 63431 waits for the road at South Pelaw on coal for Consett. Photo copyright Bill WatsonNER Q6 63431 sets off from South Pelaw passing another of the class on the way. Photo copyright Bill WatsonLate in the day a NER Q6 nears South Pelaw on empty bogie bolsters from Consett. Photo copyright Bill WatsonSouth Pelaw Signal Box. Photo copyright Bill WatsonAn eerie, spectral night shot of a NER Q6 at South Pelaw as it is about to split the coal hoppers for tripping to Consett. Photo copyright Bill WatsonB.R. Standard 9F 92061 at South Pelaw Box. Photo copyright Bill WatsonB.R. Standard 9F 92061 at South Pelaw. Photo copyright Bill WatsonA cold stare from the driver of a Standard 9F waiting for a banker at South Pelaw. Photo copyright Bill WatsonVery late on a Summers evening, a B.R. Standard 9F – the firebox glow lighting the cab – waits for the signal at South Pelaw on an empty ore train. The signal box just visible in the distance (bottom right) is at Stella Gill Flatts with the lights of Burnhope mast, visible in the night sky. Photo copyright Bill WatsonA derelict NCB signal at a long abandoned siding at South Pelaw. Photo copyright Bill Watson
All change on the ore trains…
The mid 60’s saw the withdrawal of the 9F steam locomotives from the ore trains to be replaced with Type 2 (later Class 24) diesels although other types, most interestingly Class 17 Claytons, were tried. The Class 24s would double head the trains from Tyne Dock to Consett until their subsequent replacement in 1974 by Class 37s.
D5181 (later Class 25/1) coasts down the hill from Consett in to South Pelaw Junction with a train of empty iron ore hoppers for Tyne Dock (1968) Photo Copyright Roy Lambeth
The mighty 9Fs…
Prior to the Class 24s, the ore trains were pulled by the iconic 9F 2-10-0 steam locomotives 10 of which were specially adapted with Westinghouse pumps to enable to automatic opening of the hopper doors on the iron ore wagons for unloading at Consett.
On 8th July 1966, Class 9F 92065 at South Pelaw Junction with a train of loaded iron ore hoppers for Consett. Photo Copyright Roy LambethClass 9F 92060 approaches South Pelaw Junction from Washington. Note the Type 4 (later Class 40) diesel in the siding on the right ready to assist in banking the train up the steep gradients to Consett. Also note the steeply graded colliery connection leading behind the signal box. (February 1966) Photo Copyright Roy Lambeth
The modified 9Fs were not just restricted to the iron ore trains, note the Westinghouse pumps on the right hand side of the locomotive half way down the footplate.
9F 92065 is starting the climb to Consett with what appears to be a coal train. (1963) Photo Copyright Arthur KimberPhoto Copyright Arthur KimberThe same train having passed under the bridge starting the ascent to Consett with the Stella Gill sidings to the left. Photo copyright Arthur Kimber
4 thoughts on “1960 to 1969”
John
more unusual than you think – look at the route it is on and the signals it has passed – not the norm.
Although looking at load heights in the 56t iron ore hoppers can be deceptive – due to varying densities of ore markedly affecting height visible (or not as the case may be) they seem to be empty on this occasion?
Hope things are picking up for you – always look forward to seeing your updates – you’ve done a superb job on this site.
I have been collecting shots of this location for more than 35 years after growing up at S Pelaw.
John
more unusual than you think – look at the route it is on and the signals it has passed – not the norm.
Although looking at load heights in the 56t iron ore hoppers can be deceptive – due to varying densities of ore markedly affecting height visible (or not as the case may be) they seem to be empty on this occasion?
Hope things are picking up for you – always look forward to seeing your updates – you’ve done a superb job on this site.
I have been collecting shots of this location for more than 35 years after growing up at S Pelaw.
Cheers Phil – I had wondered if the train was empty as the loco wouldn’t have had the necessary air equipment to operate the hopper doors at Consett…
John
Class 24 D1581 is D5181 later designated Class 25/1. Note the lack of water tank – no steam heat boiler on this loco.
A question :-
When Tyne Dock 9fs started to appear with their smokebox door straps and dart painted. What colour paint was used. Silver or white
The pratice reappeared on a couple of the sheds K1s towards the very end of steam
Regards
Bob