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Thursday 31 December 2020

Kearney Tube part 1

I was recently reminded via the Shields Gazette of a very interesting engineer, Elfric Wells Chalmers Kearney (1881-1966).   Kearney was Australian but spent nearly all of his life in Britain, during which he designed & promoted the Kearney Tube.   This was an electric & gravity underground monorail which I think would have had excellent prospects in specific applications, such as a crossing of the Tyne between South & North Shields.

Many people now think that that the first Tyne Tunnel opened in 1967, forgetting that the pedestrian & cycle tunnels opened in 1951, and that these had their roots in earlier work, including that involving Kearney.

Colin Fish recently pointed me to a 1939 LNER promotional leaflet, sections of which are reproduced below:

The fare would be the same as the cost
of this leaflet - 2d, ie less than 1p
(Cover of 1939 LNER leaflet)

Wednesday 30 December 2020

More from Wednesday

The photos below are courtesy of Angela Pickering:
Mick setting up .....

Causey Waggonway

Ian using the dumpy ......
(photo courtesy of  Angela Pickering)

North East 'Names'

Charles Parsons, inventor of the turbine generator,
which supplies electricity to most of the world
(photo Newcastle Chronicle)

I came across an interesting list by the Newcastle Chronicle of the 100 greatest notherners over the last 100 years.   Such lists are always contemporary & personal - there may be hundreds of NE 'greats' over the last century, & thousands of great & interesting people who were born / lived / invented / developed / led / inspired in NE England.   Please comment on who would you add!

Tuesday 29 December 2020

More Mince Pies from Yesterday

The photos below, taken while yesterday's Mince Pie Specials were running, are courtesy of Angela Pickering (except where stated):

Jim at work on a lathe

Monday 28 December 2020

Today's Mince Pies

The photos below are courtesy of Geoff Lowe:

Martin & Susan ready to welcome travellers & check tickets .....

Sunday 27 December 2020

Saturday 26 December 2020

More of NPE Day #6

Cochrane heading a NPE past Causey car park .....
(photo courtesy of Dave Hewitt)

Thursday 24 December 2020

North Pole Express Day #6

 Christmas Eve - the last NPEs of 2020 :

Outside Marley Hill engine shed of 1854, Cochrane is ready to go .....

Tuesday 22 December 2020

More of NPE Day #4

Matthew on Cochrane taking the empty stock over Causey car park exit .....
(photo courtesy of John Turnock)

North Pole Express Day #4

Matthew oiling Cochrane at the start of the day

Monday 21 December 2020

North Pole Express Day #3

Oliver & Alex manning Causey Level Crossing as the first NPE of the day passes

Sunday 20 December 2020

Saturday 19 December 2020

North Pole Express Day #1

Cochrane heading onto Causey West Incline with a North Pole Express
(photo courtesy of John Turnock)

Thursday 17 December 2020

North Pole Express

The North Pole Express will run on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Christmas Eve - an outside event with pre-booked compartments which are sold out

David making a second NPE headboard
(photo courtesy of Alex Tyson)

A Concrete Foundation

Steve & Colin adding mesh

Wednesday 16 December 2020

Some of Today's Work

Geoff taking delivery of wood to build framing for the new welcome building

Tuesday 15 December 2020

A Couple of Today's Jobs

On the lineside, near Bowes Bridge, we're slinging .....
(photo courtesy of Dave Dixon)

Monday 14 December 2020

Today's Jobs

Darren trying to separate one of HC 38's buffers from its housing

Sunday 13 December 2020

Thursday 10 December 2020

Thursday Tasks

Ian shovelling muck from Gibraltar Bridge .....
(photo courtesy of Dave Dixon)

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Monday 7 December 2020

Saturday 5 December 2020

Horden's Arch

Oliver mixing mortar for Horden's brick arch
(photo courtesy of Oliver Humphries)

Thursday 3 December 2020