Polar People

The photos below were taken on Christmas Eve: 

Henry & David pass the crossing; Ian passes the coffee

(photos courtesy of Angela Pickering)

Christmas Eve Eve Eve

The photos below were all taken early last Wednesday evening by Dave Hewitt: 

The nearly empty stock of the Express arrives at the Pole, with Matthew the fireman

Christmas Eve Eve

The photos below were all taken last Wednesday by Ken Snowdon: 

No.2 & Cochrane double head the Express just south of the North Pole

Some Hedley & Wylam History

Hedley is an old name of Northumberland & Durham which became important in the development of locomotives in North East England 200 years ago.

1830s view over the Tyne to Wylam

The north bank of the Tyne around Wylam became heavily industrialised until the mid 20th century, with the need to move coal to keels on the river from the 17th century.    (Note that the Tyne was full of islands & mud banks from Wylam down to near its mouth prior to the work of the Tyne Improvement Commission in the mid 19th century, eg see DG Charlton's article in Tanfield Railway News 57 of March 2001.)

More From Yesterday

A Mince Pie Special leaving Andrews House
(photo courtesy of Thomas McCowie)

A Mince Pie Special Day

David on HL No.2 heading out of Marley Hill with empty stock 

Trains Tomorrow

Today's mince pie specials will be repeated tomorrow - forecast with better weather!

First train today leaving Andrews House
(photo courtesy of Guy Tritton)

Bede Accident Centenary

The site on which T&W Metro's Bede Station now stands was the scene of a serious accident on 17 December 1915.

All three locomotives involved ended up down the embankment

Day 10 of North Pole Express

David on No.2 propelling the empty stock into the North Pole this morning

Day 9 of North Pole Express

Angela & David in their jumpers on No.2

Tuesday at Marley Hill

Bill & Dave refitting No.35's fan cover

Trains Tomorrow & Thursday

Tomorrow & Thursday, for the final days this year, fully booked express trains will take passengers from East Tanfield to the North Pole.

HL No.2 leads over footpath crossing No.1 earlier this month
(photo courtesy of Ken Snowdon)

Monday Mix

Barry turning bolts for Horden

Day 8 of North Pole Express

Malcolm cleaning the North Pole tea room this morning

Day 7 of North Pole Express

The photos below are all courtesy of Angela Pickering:

Luke & Ian preparing Cochrane

Today & Tomorrow

Ian lighting a fire in Cochrane following tube work yesterday

Kellingley Colliery

Kellingley Colliery, the last deep mine in Britain, closes today as its contract ends with Drax, which is switching to biomass & cheaper imported coal, reports the Telegraph.

Movietone Video - 1930s Welsh Mine 

Last Saturday at the North Pole

A snowy morning at the North Pole
(photo courtesy of David Reed)

More Track Maintenance

Works train passing Causey crossing

Track Maintenance

Dennis & Dick checking keys

Land of Oak & Iron

Groundwork NE & Cumbria's plan to restore & develop historic local landscapes in the Land of Oak & Iron has received over £2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Gateshead MBC map showing TR to the east of the red area covered
(black line separates counties Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Wear)

The Land of Oak & Iron focuses on the River Derwent, and includes remnants of industrial heritage.   Google for more - see the Pont Valley Network, for example.

Tuesday Tasks

The photos below are all courtesy of Dave Dixon:

Bill, Steve & Dave replacing the cover on the cess pit

Start of Another Week

Peter reshimming No.2's slidebars

Weather News

The wintry weather at Tanfield Railway made it into national newspapers, thanks to North News photographer Paul Kingston

Daily Telegraph on line 

Day 6 of North Pole Express

Discussion about frozen pointwork; Angela profiled on her levers

Day 5 at the North Pole

John & Tommy in the North Pole shop
(photo courtesy of Bob Payne)

Twizell's Spring

Ian slinging Twizell's replacement driver spring in the four foot

Trains This Weekend Again

These photos of last Sunday's North Pole Express are courtesy of Ken Snowdon:

Sunny Day on Track

Chris tightening down the Planet's rocker cover

Wednesday Mix

Geoff & Dave doing electrical work in Marley Hill shed

Tanfield Tuesday

Steve, Bill & Dave bagging & moving coal at the North Pole

Oddments

Yesterday's evening out for Tanfield volunteers in the Bridge Hotel,
next to Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge 

Start of the Week

Brian & Barry working on Horden .....

Day 4 Around the North Pole

Cochrane & No.2 being prepared for work

Day 3 at the North Pole

The empty stock heads off to pick up at East Tanfield
(photo courtesy of David Reed)

Happening Again Today

More fully booked North Pole Expresses, in wind & rain
(photo courtesy of Ken Snowdon)

End of the Week

John adding firewood as Cochrane & No.2 are steamed for the weekend

Trains This Weekend

Trains are fully booked again this weekend, & run from East Tanfield to the North Pole, where Santa awaits.   The photos below of the NP Express were taken last Saturday by Ken Snowdon:

No.2 leads the NPE away from East Tanfield ......

Another Shed Day

Another day spent on maintenance tasks (sample below) around Marley Hill shed, while it rains outside:

Colin, Chris, Dave & Geoff moving coal to the south end of the North Pole,
for use by the North Pole Express banking loco

Some Wednesday Work

Steve giving a hand at Andrews House to move coal waggons .....

A Shed Day

A day spent on maintenance tasks (sample below) around Marley Hill shed, while it rains outside:

Dave & Steve checking the Planet, including antifreeze

Monday at Marley Hill

Vic sorting out firewood on a dreek morning

Day 2 at the North Pole

Tom about to take No.2 to the empty stock

Day 1 at the North Pole

Calm & tidy in the NP tearoom before the first arrival
(photo courtesy of Bob Payne)

Preparation for Trains This Weekend

Dave & Malcolm stacking coal at the south end of the North Pole,
ready for use by tomorrow's banking loco

Tidying East Tanfield

Malcolm & Dennis cleaning grout from tiles