Bowes Railway Inauguration
15 July 1976

Front page of the official inauguration programme

© Bowes Railway
Commemorative plaque on Blackham's Hill hauler house

The timetable (taken from the Official Programme of events for the day) was as follows:

11:00 am

Her Majesty arrives by Helicopter at Blackham's Hill. When the doors are opened and Her Majesty has descended the steps her Personal Standard is broken and the first verse of the National Anthem is played. Her Majesty is received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Sir James Steel, C.B.E. who presents:

Lady Steel

The High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, Mr R.A.S. Sisterson

Mrs Sisterson

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Robin Chapman, C.B.E.

Lady Chapman

The Chairman of Tyne and Wear County Council, Councillor J.F. Richardson

Mrs Richardson

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Tyne and Wear and Chief Executive of the County Council, Mr J.J. Gardner

Mrs Gardner

The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Authority, Mr S. Bailey

Mrs Bailey

Her Majesty walks past a 'Guard of Honour' of members of uniformed youth organisations.

11:05 am

On reaching the railway enclosure the Lord-Lieutenant presents:

The Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Sunderland, Councillor and Mrs C. Slater

The Mayor and Mayoress of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough, Councillor and Mrs J.E. Handy

The Chief Executive of the Borough of Sunderland, Mr L.A. Bloom

Mrs Bloom

The Chief Executive of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough, Mr W. Miles

Mrs Miles

Her Majesty walks to the dais where the Lord-Lieutenant presents:

The Chairman of Tyne and Wear Industrial Monuments Trust, Dr Stafford M. Linsley

Mrs Linsley

Dr Linsley then presents the Trustees:

Councillor T.D. Marshall

Councillor I.S. McLean

Councillor P.D. Snell

Councillor W. Thompson

Mr P.R.B. Brooks

Mr J.R. Coxon

Mr C.E. Mountford

Mr B. Jobling

and the Honorary Solicitor to the Trust:

Mr J.D.S. Brown

11:12 am

Her Majesty ascends the dais accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant and the Chairman of the Trust.

A bouquet is presented by Ruth Hutton.

11:15 am

The Chairman of the Trust welcomes Her Majesty and invites her to unveil a plaque.

11:17 am

Her Majesty responds and unveils the plaque.

11:20 am

Her Majesty is invited to receive a book on the Bowes Railway by the author, Mr C.E. Mountford (Chairman of the Bowes Railway Project Committee).

11:23 am

Her Majesty enters the Marquee for light refreshments and for the opportunity to move informally amongst the other guests.

11:40 am

Her Majesty leaves the Marquee to inspect the Engine House, where there will be an opportunity to meet Railwaymen past and present. Her Majesty is invited to sign the Visitors Book in the Engine House.

During this time the Civic Party and the Trustees will take their seats on the train:

The Lord-Lieutenant and Lady Steel

The High Sheriff and Mrs Sisterson

The Chairman of the Trust and Mrs Linsley

The Chairman of the County Council and Mrs Richardson

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy and Mrs Gardner

11:45 am

Her Majesty walks past a 'Guard of Honour' of junior railway restoration workers, and enters the train for the short journey to Springwell.

11:48 am

After sounding the whistle, the train commences journey to Springwell, with the Band playing "Appropriate Airs".

11:55 am

Arrival at Springwell where Her Majesty is invited to view the Yard, the head of the Incline and the prospect to Jarrow.

The train returns to the Springwell Road Crossing.

12:00 noon

Her Majesty descends from the train, and is introduced to:

The Driver, Mr W. Maxwell

The Fireman, Mr O. Stobart

The occupants of the third truck take their leave of Her Majesty, who then departs by car through Springwell Village.

The train then conveys the remainder of the party to Blackham's Hill, where Her Majesty's Personal Standard is lowered.

This page last updated 12 November 2004