0-6-0 saddle tank, No 77
Stephenson Hawthorn No 7412 of 1948
No.77 at Norwood cokeworks just prior to transfer to Springwell (©
No. 77, a six-coupled saddle tank, was originally delivered in August 1948 to Norwood Coke Works in Gateshead where it saw regular service until the advent of diesels in 1968. It was decided to overhaul "Norwood" and keep it as a spare to the diesels and in January 1969 it was sent to the NCB's Lambton Engine Works at Philadelphia for attention. Returning to Norwood Coke Works in October 1969 the loco led a quiet life in the shed.
By a quirk of fate the locomotive survived the period in the late 1960s and early 1970s which saw many steam locomotives scrapped. Its ownership passed to the Coal Products Division of the NCB which in turn was split into two NCB subsidiaries, National Smokeless Fuels (coke making) and Thomas Ness Ltd (by-products). NSF saw no reason to acquire another diesel to act as a standby when they had a perfectly good steam locomotive available, while local management saw that she went out working fairly regularly and was kept in good repair. As late as 1979 £2,000 was spent on firebox repairs.
Our Barclay, No. 22, had been placed on loan to us by NSF (its last commercial owner) and when we were seeking another loco to work at Springwell, Norwood Coke Works ceased production and demolition began. Rail traffic continued to the tar plant on site, the coke being delivered by road. The NSF officer responsible for our acquiring No.22 contacted us about "Norwood" as he knew we were looking for another loco. The result was a decision to place "Norwood" on permanent loan to Bowes Railway but not until there was no longer an operational need for her at the Coke Works.
On August 22nd, 1983, Norwood arrived at Springwell as our third, and largest, steam locomotive.
During this period we were able to acquire a second Barclay, "W.S.T.", and it was not until after "W.S.T." re-entered traffic on the Bowes Railway that No.77 "Norwood" arrived. Although not a Bowes locomotive, No.77 was of a type which did work on the line and an identical engine had been brought to Marley Hill for repairs. No.77 was the last steam loco in commercial service in County Durham, and was the last but one in the whole of North East England.
Once at Springwell the loco was found to need substantial boiler repairs and with plenty work involved in keeping our two (more suitable) Barclay locos in working order, work on Norwood has been little more than stripping down for examination. Money to fund the restoration was also a problem.
In 2003, Norwood was released on long-term loan to the Weardale Railway. Finally, in July 2005, ownership of the loco was transferred to the Weardale Locomotive Preservation Group
No.77 at Norwood cokeworks just prior to transfer to Springwell (©
No.77 at Norwood cokeworks just prior to transfer to Springwell (©
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This page last updated 30 March 2008 |