To mark the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Teesside Municipal Transport, and the ‘creation’ of Teesside, Stagecoach North East held an open day at it’s Bridge Road Depot and invited the public along for a free day of family fun to help celebrate the occasion. There were guided tours of the depot, rides through the bus wash – in a bus obviously! and a display of classic and modern buses including a 1961 trolley bus which will be held in store locally before going to a new home at the Beamish Museum.
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Photographs and details courtesy of David Thompson.

An A1 60161 ‘North British’ stands at 51L Thornaby Shed sometime between 1962-63. The photograph was taken by the late Desmond Fernihough who worked at the shed from 1960 -1963, if anyone knew of him can you get in touch?

Photograph by Desmond Fernihough, details courtesy of Chris Fernihough

I worked at Head Wrightsons from 1949 to 1966. I took this photograph in the car park outside their main offices in Thornaby. It shows a 1880s Works Locomotive and Trucks renovated by Bob Alexander Jr and Doug Ormston as part of their apprenticeship program in 1959.

Photograph and details courtesy of Philip Moore.

Three photographs showing the weigh cabin and coal cells at Billingham Station c1964.

Photographs courtesy of Ivan Harrington.

I believe that this rather odd machine was saved from Head Wrightsons, and is now at the back of Preston Park Museum. Can anyone explain what it was used for and what the various wheels and gears were supposed to be doing?

Photographs and details courtesy of Fred Starr.

The Mobile Library Bus known as the 4LA is pictured outside Billingham Library on Bedale Road. This bus was the smallest vechicle in the fleet and visited places such as Staithes. When Cleveland County Libraries became no more I believe the bus was used by Hartlepool Libraries.

Photograph and details courtesy of Carolyn Evans.

On display inside the marquee and for many the star of the show will be the original memorial plaque which ‘disappeared’ from the original ticket office at Bridge House-St Johns Crossing several years ago. The plaque was rediscovered in July after it made a fleeting appearance on BBC Look North who were reporting on the recent takeover of the William Lane Foundry in Middlesbrough, the last traditional foundry in the old Ironmasters District of the town. Unfortunately after it was removed the plaque was forcibly folded to aid it’s removal and obvious intention of being melted down but this was thwarted by the police who passed it onto William Lane for safe keeping and possible restoration.

The plaque dates to 1925 and celebrates the centenary of the S&DR.  It was unveiled by the then Duke of York (later King George VI) and carries the LNER Coat of Arms together with those of the towns of Stockton and Darlington. It reads “Here in 1825 the S&DR booked the first passenger, thus marking an epoch in the history of mankind”.  As we now know, this isn’t quite correct, but it’s still a hugely important artefact and deserves better than it’s current condition and status. The estimated cost of repair is in the order of £2,000 but the plaque was not insured by the Bridge House charity and at present funding is still required to repair and re-instate the plaque although a more suitable and safer home such as Preston Hall Museum may be considered.

Photographs and details courtesy of David Thompson.

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The Brusselton Incline Walk: A Walk to celebrate the 192nd Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on Wednesday 27th September meeting at 10.30am in the car park opposite the Whistle Stop Cafe in Redworth Road, Shildon. The walk will start at 11am. Further details can be obtained from Jane Hackworth-Young on 01833 627712 or email. j.hack.young@btinternet.com

The Durham Music Service Evening Concert: Featuring Durham County Youth Big Band, Locomotive Rhythm and Durham Alumni Big Band on Wednesday 27th September at the NRM Locomotion, Shildon at 6.30pm. Free entry – all welcome.

Unidentified, all-white Handley Page Victor nuclear bomber during the last Battle of Britain Open Day in the early sixties. RAF Middleton Saint George c1961/2.

Photograph and details courtesy of Alan Boardman.

This WD no.90067 with a southbound freight and was taken at Jacksons Bakery which used to be in Yarm Road between Stockton and Eaglescliffe on 18th July, 1964.

Photograph and details courtesy of Garth McLean.

An ex LMS tank no. 42477 with passenger train headed for Darlington. The photograph was taken on the 18th July, 1964 at Jacksons Bakery which used to be in Yarm Road between Stockton and Eaglescliffe. I believe there is a garden centre there now. The railway used to have four tracks, two for Stockton and two for Thornaby. Now there are just two tracks with the Stockton and Thornaby lines diverging near to where the photograph was taken with the A66 dual carriageway crossing the lines nearby.

Photograph and details courtesy of Garth McLean.