A photograph of the Class Q6 locomotive number 63436 about to pass under the Davis Bridge at Billingham whilst running round its train which it has left in the up goods loop (behind the photographer).
When running round is complete, the locomotive will be reattached to its train and continue its journey either delivering coal to ICI or North Tees Power Station or returning empty wagons to the colliery.
Photograph and details courtesy of Peter Rigg.
The fifth track was probably Crooks Farm Siding (Goods Only) mentioned in the Official Handbook of Stations, Junctions, Sidings, Collieries, Works etc for 1938 and 1956 as between Norton-on-Tees and Billingham. I am guessing it was on the Concrete Works side of the line north of the farm crossing over the line near Crooks Farm as there was more room on this side of the line. I have a photo on Picture Stockton looking towards Billingham from Norton-on-Tees signal box in 1967 and some redundant(?) signal arms can be seen likely for the Concrete Works and maybe the long gone(?) farm siding. Surely Stockton Library has a detailed old map of this area to confirm any of the above.
Q6 No. 63436 Sunderland allocated engine 1963-67. Built 1920, withdrawn 4/67, some five months before B.R. steam finished in this area.
The photograph shows much railway infrastructure beyond the bridge: starting at the locomotive’s tender is the small goods yard with the loading dock, platform and station buildings to its right with the Station Hotel behind. At the extreme right hand edge half of the top of Billingham Signal Box can be seen. Much of this is long gone, the station was closed in 1966 and replaced by the current facilities next to Marsh House Avenue and the railway has been reduced to twin tracks; The Station Hotel, the footbridge and signal box are the only remaining features at this location.
Peter,
I think there were five tracks between this location and Norton; up and down loops for running round and an additional loop or a siding on the down side – do you recall which it was?
I must admit Dave I cannot remember an additional loop between Norton and Billingham either on the up or down there was a run off line which ran on the down side which was a sidings to enable trains to shunt the brickyard this ran into a dum end.
It would be the siding then, I have seen photographs somewhere showing five tracks.
actually dave if you look at this photo you can see five tracks the fifth being the shunt line i mentioned.