South Hylton to Fatfield

I used to cycle this way daily when I worked in Sunderland, but today I took the Metro from Sunderland to South Hylton and walked the rest of the way.

 The trip started badly as I encountered this heap of stripped cable just off the track. The person concerned had carefully bound the different rolls of cable with tape, but then dumped the lot, showing a complete disregard and disrespect for the area and countryside. He probably stole the cable in the first place.

Never fear the sun was still shining as I walked down towards the river Wear from the old Sunderland to Durham railway track above.

But then came the rain and wind, fortunately there was some shelter along by the riverside. Entering Coxgreen  I noticed this old sign for Coxgreen railway station, closed in the 1960s.  I have to confess that I have cycled this way many hundreds of times, but never previously noticed it! The ring on the top says Durham County Council.

Crossing the river using Coxgreen footbridge and walking along the north bank I came across this attractive wreath attached to a tree. Presumably a memorial, but there was no message.

 Turning up towards the James Steel park, I saw that the owner of the end terraced property has nicely tidied up this piece of land adjacent to their house. There are numerous bird feeders, and in the short time I stood and watched I spotted chaffinch, blue tits, robins and bullfinch. 

Finally the pond in the James Steel park, with dogwood glowing red on the opposite bank. There was a swan on the water, but he was too shy to pose for the camera.

Sony NEX 6 Pentax 28mm f3.5 K and Zuiko 50mm f1.8 (couple on track)

Shildon Railway Museum - Great Goodbye

With a line up of 6 A4 class streamlined pacific steam locos, I had to make the journey to Shildon. Two of the locos are normally resident abroad, in Canada and the USA, so this was a one off opportunity.

We drove there on Saturday morning when the weather was not too kind, not raining, but very cold and overcast. I had a ticket for a lecture on the period when the engines were in mainline service and that was both interesting and had the advantage of taking place in a warm room! My wife chose to look around the shops in Bishop Auckland and later appeared, partially frozen, at the museum.

Later the crowds descended and there was a long wait to get into the museum building, I decided not to bother, but took a photo from outside the perimeter fence.

It appeared that three locos were in steam, with 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley being used to give people brakevan rides along a short stretch of track.

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley on brakevan duty

Nerds such as me know that shedplate 34A refers to Kings Cross!

From left to right Dwight D Eisenhower, Union of South Africa, Dominion of Canada, Bittern and Mallard

I recall standing on a platform of Newcastle station with my grandfather, circa 1960, when he tried to persuade the driver of an A4 to let me onto the footplate; sadly it didn't happen. I have since taken my grandson onto the footplate of Mallard, an easier ask on a gala day at York museum.

I also remember furtively sneaking around Gateshead works a few years later when there was an A4 in for a minor repair. One of the fitters remarked that it had been there for so long that there was grass growing under the wheels.

Another memory from that era was that of trainspotting at the backwater of East Boldon, when there was nothing but a dreary procession of diesel multiple units and steam powered coal trains. The level crossing gates closed, and through trundled A1 pacific Great Northern.  Just as we were rejoicing, and not noticing that the crossing gates had remained closed, an A4 powered train came through in the opposite direction. One of the highlights of early 1960s life!

Glad to have seen the  line up of these lovely machines, but equally glad to get into my nice warm car and drive home!

Sony NEX 6  probably Pentax K 28mm f3.5