© New Jersey Railway and Canal Society 2003
Preparing to attach the west rope
The "D" link retaining pin is replaced into the ground frame in order to return possession of the single line section to the Springwell signalman. At the same time, the "D" link is removed from the front of the newly arrived rope set ready for its next use on a full set back to Springwell.
The West incline rope is dragged across to the kip and coupled up to the rear of the set. This time, the "D" link is attached to the haulage chain and rope as a single unit. The nose of the "D" link is passed through one of the drawbar links and then closed with the tongue, rather than being hung on the drawbar hook. A hand chain is attached to the retaining pin and one end of the hand chain is hung on the side handrail on the body of the wagon. This will be used by the shunter to pull the pin on the upward journey from Black Fell.
© New Jersey Railway and Canal Society 2003
Preparing to attach the west rope
© Peter Norman
Fi tting the combined rope chain and slip coupling to the
set
The picture below shows the rope attached to the set ready to travel West.
© Peter Norman
The westbound set "roped up"
The bankhead sends a bell code (2 rings, 2 rings) to signify he is ready to run West. The Mount Crossing crew close both the Mount and Farm Crossing gates on the west incline to road traffic, and send a bell code (4 rings, 2 rings) to signify that they are ready. The hauler driver sends a bell code (2 rings) to signify that he is ready. The bankhead shunter then opens the retaining chocks at the head of the incline and release the wagon brakes. The set slides away down the incline, rapidly gathering speed.
© Peter Norman
Opening the West Incline chocks
The set rejoins the main line just below the bankhead. As the wagons begin their descent the rope is checked to ensure that it does not foul on the chocks.
© James Wylie Towler
The set rejoining the
main line
© Bowes Railway
The set passing Mount Farm Crossing
When the set arrives at Black Fell, it is diverted into the right hand dish, rather than onto the kip. This is the end of the line for the preserved section and the dish is equipped with a sand drag to prevent the set running on should the haulerman not be able to brake its progress. The view below shows a set arriving at the Black Fell bankhead area. Blackhams Hill hauler can be seen on the horizon above the Mount level crossing.
© Peter Norman
A set arriving at Black Fell
| Stage 4 | Haulage Sequence Index | Stage 6 |
 |
This page last updated 27th March 2006 |