Sunniside Station, 1982

Courtesy of Colin Waite, an article from the Stanley News for 15 July 1982 about the new-build Sunniside Station:

Volunteers Bill, Bob, Alan, ?, Andrew, Philip. Eric & me posing

Irwell, 1983

Courtesy of Colin Waite, an article from the Evening Chronicle for 29 March 1983 featuring Irwell:

Two of the owners of Irwell - Graham Redfearn did machining & fitting,
Richard painted & lined the loco

News from 75 Years Ago

A newspaper cutting found in a first edition of Wright's "The North Sunderland Railway".
Tanfield Railway models itself on such as the NSR and colliery railways of NE England.

Tanfield - 3rd Prize in a Beauty Contest

Courtesy of  volunteer Terry Carr mentioning it at bait time, see an article in The Times on line for 27 September 2022  listing the top 7 steam train journeys in the UK, including TR at no.3.   The list is:

Tommy's Cuttings #6

The date of this article is uncertain.   However, from adverts on the reverse for a fair on Sunday 16 July & PYO strawberries, plus detail in the text, it seems to be from an Evening Chronicle of June 1978.

TR no longer runs England's most northerly steam train

Northumberland Line Wayleaves

The Duke of Northumberland has come under fire for demanding 'archaic' wayleave rents for the Northumberland Line (Chronicle report).  

Bedlington Station on the proposed Northumberland Line has seen freight since closure by Beeching
(P3 / J27 65834 on coal hoppers photographed by Ben Brooksbank in 1965)

Wayleaves were the norm in the Great North Coalfield right up until the demise of collieries.   For example, our Tanfield route always operated under wayleaves - it was never owned by railway companies or BR.

Saturday's 2021 NPE Day#1 in Today's Metro

Tommy's Cuttings #5

From a 1980s local newspaper:

Tommy's Cuttings #4

North Pole Express from 34 years ago
Chester-le-Street Advertiser 19/11/1987

Tommy's Cuttings #3

Gibraltar Bridge reconstruction (former designed by Stan Weightman) was an essential part of the Causey & ET extension.   Below are local press cuttings (basic info fed via Derek Charlton) from 12 February 1987 courtesy of Tommy Knox:

Newcastle Journal 12/2/1987

Tommy's Cuttings #2

The cuttings below were collected & provided by Tommy Knox:

Note - Ian on the Poclain first made & later removed a route for farm access
(Northern Echo 8 August 1986)

Tommy's Cuttings #1

Tommy has handed me some press cuttings which he collected about 30 years ago.   The first I'll reproduce is from the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of 20 August 1987:

The accompanying photograph follows :

TR Guide 1977 Part 4 - The Last Page

Part 4 - The Last Page
(booklet courtesy of Tommy Knox)

TR Guide 1977 Part 3 - Locomotives

Part 3 - Locomotives
(booklet courtesy of Tommy Knox)

TR Guide 1977 Part 2 - The Way Ahead

Part 2 - The Way Ahead
(booklet courtesy of Tommy Knox)

TR Guide 1977 Part 1 - The Waggonway & Two Railways

Part 1 - The Tanfield Waggonway and Two Railways
(booklet courtesy of Tommy Knox)

Tanfield Railway News July 1986

The copy of TR Association News from July 1986 reproduced below is courtesy of Tommy Knox:

Gala Weekend
Over 1300 visitors travelled on the railway at this new Spring Bank Holiday Event.   A variety of stationary engines, tractors and elderly road vehicles were on show and five locos were working the train service.   Cochrane looked well in its new coat of paint and along with Irwell, 38, 21 and the Armstrong, provided watchers and photographers with a feast of opportunities for new visions.   Each train had a different loco or combination from the previous one with only 38 missing out on the double heading.   There was even talk of an Ais Gill type of photograghers’ semicircle at Bowes Bridge waiting to get their shots in!

Waggonway No.22 Summer 1985

This is the last known Waggonway - publication restarted later as Tanfield Railway News
Includes: turntable arrives; waggon restorations; yard track; Tanfield route; M2; loco moves
(this copy of the final Waggonway courtesy of Andrew Beevers)

Waggonway No.21 Spring 1985

Includes running season prep; presentable waggons; shed area track;
Consett & inclines; getting track from Annfield Plain; N&C 150
(this penultimate Waggonway courtesy of Andrew Beevers)

Waggonway No.20 Winter 1984

Includes Marley Hill station; MH trackwork; Stephenson locos in Brazil; railway tales; German tour
(Copy of Waggonway No.20 courtesy of Andrew Beevers)