This photograph shows loco No 6 shunting in the yard with St Johns crossing, Stockton in the background. George the shunter come fireman looks on.
Photograph and details courtesy of Martin Birtle and John Hardy.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
I remember St Johns Crossing very well. In the mid-1960s whilst serving my time as an apprentice builder with my stepfather Joe Bousfield, we would regularly head down to a large timber merchants (John B. Smith & Co.) located adjacent to the Crossing. Smiths would provide all our timber needs for the domestic garages and small home extensions we used to build. I recall the guys employed by Smiths to carry planks of rough-sawn timber from one part of the yard to another. I guess fork lift trucks were just catching on. These guys used to have a leather pad which was secured to their preferred carrying shoulder by a leather strap and buckle. I can recall one such man as not looking particularly well made, but he certainly could move some large loads of timber. he always wore a black beret on his head. It’s amazing what memories come flooding back due to the photographs shared on this excellent site.
Anyone unsure as to the location of this photo, the buildings on each side of the little white signal/road crossing box [to the left of the train] are still in existance, they are across from the bingo hall and casino just before you cross Victoria bridge.