Rail & River - the coaly Tyne

At one time, the banks of the Tyne were covered with industry.   Rail transport to, from and within sites was the norm.    Nowadays, it is difficult for people to realize or recall how extensive were these sites and railways.   As an example, the Tyne Improvement Commission (TIC) staiths at Whitehill Point was just one area used for transfer of coal from rail to colliers.

Three colliers at the Commissoners' staiths - note the area
covered by rail with few roads (courtesy Kevin Blair)*

* See  http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/Aerialviews.html  for this and similar photos, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcastlelibraries/sets/  for more shots of Tyneside through time.

A map of Whitehill Point (Steve Ellwood**)

** See http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=982536&page=107  for more detail, and  http://www.steve-ellwood.org.uk/  for more photos of NE England.