Yesterday (Friday) back at Shildon saw the first through train from London Kings Cross to Shildon since 2004, and more historically, the first train beyond Shildon on to the Weardale Railway to Stanhope since the line was closed to cement trains in the 1990s. An hour and a half stop at Shildon meant that all passengers had a chance to visit Locomotion before continuing on their journey. Here the passengers await the return of the train, which had been stabled at North Road, Darlington, to keep the line clear for service trains.
Class 67 "Royal Diamond" leads the charter into Shildon where the passengers were waiting.
At the other end of the train was 67 002 "Special Delivery", seen alongside Shildon signal box as Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Society's Bristol single decker passes on half term site shuttle service. There's another charter next Saturday going up the dale with a pair of class 37's on the front. I hope it'll be just as busy!
Class 67 "Royal Diamond" leads the charter into Shildon where the passengers were waiting.
At the other end of the train was 67 002 "Special Delivery", seen alongside Shildon signal box as Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Society's Bristol single decker passes on half term site shuttle service. There's another charter next Saturday going up the dale with a pair of class 37's on the front. I hope it'll be just as busy!
I was fortunate enough to be on that tour, and it was a privilege to be able to participate in such a historic event (particularly as I'm originally from Bishop, and grew up next to the Weardale line just down from Latherbrush Bridge). We had happy looking people waving at us all along the line from Bishop to Stanhope.
ReplyDeleteUKRT and WR deserve congratulations on a very well organised event, although I do think the crowds were a bit overwhelming for the stations at both Shildon and Stanhope (especially the former, where getting on and off the train took some considerable time). If the tours keep coming like this, you may want to consider leaning on NR to lengthen the platforms and put some decent station facilities in place. :)
It was great to look around the collection at Shildon too, of course (a bit crowded of course, although that's to be expected when such a large crowd descends). Thanks. :)