October 2005
On October 9th, Bowes held one of its now regular 'coal train days'. This was well attended by photographers and others. Throughout the day, trains were run out of Springwell, up the incline to Blackhams Hill and around the PMJ curve to the Wrekenton end of the line.
With the Bowes Barclay 0-4-0 No22 on shed for maintenance, the loco roster was our other Barclay, 'WST', our 0-4-0 Hunslet diesel, and the Steam Sentinel 'Ann' which has been visiting from the Embsay Railway.
All photos © Phil Dawe
The Hunslet coasts across Springwell level Crossing into the Yard
WST starts a set of twelve wagons on the 1 in 50 gradient in the Yard, heading for the incline
A lighter load this time. WST takes three of the non-Bowes wagons onto the incline
The Hunslet returns from Wrekenton with its load of steel hoppers.
Shunting by rope was also demonstrated, using the small Yard hauler. In this view, the Kibblesworth Bogie has the rope attached (left hand side of photo). Wagons were lowered from the parking siding to the bottom of the Yard and pulled up into 'Butlins' road ready for shunting into Butlins Shed.
Steam Sentinel 'Ann' (painted in LMS livery) shunting in the Yard
'Ann' stands on the kip road in Springwell Yard, with the dish road between the loco and the Wagon Shop
'Ann' at work shunting the ballast wagon
'Ann' brings the Bowes set of chaldron wagons along the back road, ready for a journey up the incline and round the PMJ curve to Wrekenton
With the arrival of Clayton narrow gauge locos at Springwell, opportunity has been taken to lay some narrow gauge track for the locos to run on. In this view, one of the newly painted locos is attached to a purpose-built passenger vehicle for transporting visitors for a short distance adjacent to the main line platform at Springwell.
The Claytons are now located in a nearby narrow gauge shed (formerly one of the Yard builders' sheds). Track can be laid quickly from the shed onto the area adjacent to the platform when the Claytons are needed for demonstration.
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This page last updated 28th October 2005 |