{"id":493,"date":"2014-03-15T09:26:59","date_gmt":"2014-03-15T09:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southpelawjunction.co.uk\/wp\/?page_id=493"},"modified":"2023-05-19T10:11:56","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T10:11:56","slug":"passenger-trains","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/southpelawjunction.co.uk\/wp\/?page_id=493","title":{"rendered":"Passenger Trains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LAST PASSENGER TRAIN – 17 March 1984<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1983\/1984<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Class 100 DMU at Beamish on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright John Wilks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Class 100 DMU at East Castle on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright John Wilks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inspection Saloon Heading for Consett, at Stanley looking East on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inspection Saloon Heading for Consett, at Stanley looking West on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inspection Saloon Returning from Consett, at Greencroft Curve on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inspection Saloon Returning from Consett, at Ouston Junction on 27 February 1984.
Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inspection Saloon Returning from Consett, at Ouston Junction on 27 February 1984. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

THE ROYAL TRAIN – 3 December 1982<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Royal Train between Annfield Plain and Stanley. Photo copyright Stephen McGahon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the cab that day were Tyne Yard men Driver George Milley and second\u00a0man Alan Dodds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Royal Train passes Carr House West Signal Box on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Malcolm Braim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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31403 & 31415 run round the coaches of the Royal Train on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Malcolm Braim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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The Royal Train at Carr House on 3 December 1982. Photo copyright Craig Oliphant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Royal train approaching Annfield Plain. Photo copyright Neil Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Royal train approaching Annfield Plain. Photo copyright Neil Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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A small crowd of locals look down on the Royal Train as Prince Charles disembarks the train at Consett. Photo copyright Neil Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Royal Train leaving Consett heading towards Leadgate. Photo copyright Neil Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

R.C.T.S. NORTH EASTERN NO.5 RAILTOUR – 27 September 1980<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consisting of a 3 car (Class 101) and 2 car DMU, ran from Leeds to Consett and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE ‘GREAT FAREWELLS’ TOUR – 20 September 1980<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Great Fairwells Tour stands at Consett. Photo Copyright Alan Lewis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further information on the tour, click here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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37143 at Consett. Photo copyright John Atkinson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The full consist of the train to and from Consett was as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n