The photographs show the Sir Nigel Gresley, A4 Pacific 60007 at Phoenix Sidings close to Stockton Railway station.
Photographs and details courtesy of John Robson
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The photographs show the Sir Nigel Gresley, A4 Pacific 60007 at Phoenix Sidings close to Stockton Railway station.
Photographs and details courtesy of John Robson
I recall about three years ago seeing the timings on a website for movement of Sir Nigel Gresley from Grosmont to (probably) the National Railway Museum at York. Photos were possibly taken on that occasion.
The loco was put into Pheonix sidings to negotiate the triangle between Hartburn, Oxbridge Junction and Eaglescliffe in order to position the loco forward facing.
Similarly (but not sure whether it still happens nowadays) but steam locos enroute to and from the North Yorks Moors Railway often stop at Tees Yard to take on water.
Brian I would agree with your comment, the timing you suggest would most certainly be when I took the photographs.
I remember train spotting from Darlington staion – around 1962, we got the train from Thornaby to Darlington and spent all day train spotting. On several cheeky occasions we used to board an A4 OR A3 and hitch a ride to the next station – get off and hitch a ride back to Darlington sometimes we used to slip into a tour going round the sheds and Darlington and see what was on the turntable on emergency standby. Great days entertainment – all for a return ticket from Thornaby to Darlington, we didn’t do any harm- better than standing on street corners causing bother.
Unfortunately I am unable to give an exact date of when I took these photographs, I would suspect around 3 years ago. I remember one Saturday morning receiving a call from a friend of mine. He simply said there is a steam train standing near to Stockton railway station, I grabbed my camera and made the short walk from home to investigate. The images posted here show what I found on arriving at phoenix sidings. I have the photographs in an album dated August 2011, however I think they were placed there sometime after I originally took them. At the time I thought the train might have been heading for York, however I vaguely remember a real steam enthusiast mention it was going to Grosmont. Sorry I cannot give a more precise date of when I took the photographs.
Interestingly enough this was taken before the full restoration, which saw the replacement of the wheel splashers. Any information on the year? I’ve been racking my brains as to whether they had been replaced at the time of the S & DR 150th celebration. This in spite of the fact that the representative of the class, at Stockton station, was Sir Nigel Gresley.
It’s obvious that pre senile dementia is setting in. I read this first time as Mallard – oh dear!
Mike, I assume by splashers, you mean the side skirts (valences), SNG has never had these refitted since the 2nd world war. I suspect, from the vehicles in pic 1, these pictures are quite recent, possibly taken on the return from Newcastle in December 2012 following a valve failure.
Graeme you are of course right if you read on I realised that what I “read” wasn’t in fact what was written – blame it on advancing years!
Many thanks for these pics Mr. Robson. Two things that grabbed my attention from the off.
Firstly the loco in itself, a grand lady indeed! Secondly,about 10yrs ago on my 2nd trip to NYMR with a mate,we were standing by the cab after the trainride when a gravely voice said,”want to come in lads?”……just try and stop me! I was 55,going on 10!!
You dont say when these pics were taken,,??????
Larry back in the dim & distant, 1953, my mate Billy & I were spotting one Sunday off the linside platform at North Shore box & Bittern had to stop to take the token. We, of course, dropped to our knees and did due obeissance & like you a voice asked “Want a ride lads?”. What a marvellous experience, up to Stockton station on the footplate. Can still remember all the details to this day!
Great photos John !