Norton backline 1958. The train in the foreground is connected with a Sunday track repair operation on the line between Norton West (right of picture) and Norton East (left of picture). This line still exists today. Of interest is the expanse of fields in the background which are now entirely built upon. The houses visible in the distance above the locomotive’s boiler are nos 125-133 Junction Road which at that time were all newly built. (I lived in no 131, the nearest of the semis). Above the guard’s van of the train can be seen the glasshouses of the nursery which existed opposite Norton East signalbox at that time but now long gone.
Photograph and details courtesy of David P Williams.
Great photograph! The row of poplar trees in the background is where the Kew gardens housing estate now stands. My parents garden backed onto the line just beyond the trees.
This is a Peppercon K1 No. 62001 and it was transferred to Stockton shed (from Darlington) on 14/9/58, staying there until it closed in 1959, when it moved to the new Thornaby depot. I have one (‘0’ gauge) on my workbench at the moment, just needs cylinders and valvegear to complete it as 62065, which also spent time at Stockton shed.
In the early 1960s I can recall the steam loco Gnu istanding for quite some time on the Norton back line. This loco was one of the ”Antelope” class for obvious reasons. Sometimes referred to as ”Bongoes” as one of the class of locos was called Bongo.