Tanfield Railway - again

John King

John King

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Just a few general images of Tanfield Railway I took at the beginning of the year. just posted to keep my hand in so to speak. This place is a true gold mine of picture opportunities but they are tightening up on where you can go without someone watching.
 

Attachments

  • Pontop and Jarrow Coal wagon.jpg
    Pontop and Jarrow Coal wagon.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 28
  • Causey Sidings Ground Frame.jpg
    Causey Sidings Ground Frame.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 28
  • Marley Hill Yard, Tanfield Rly.jpg
    Marley Hill Yard, Tanfield Rly.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 28
Thanks for everyone's comments.

Not much grittiness today the whole area is under several inches of snow.!
 
The roof had to be replaced because it was becoming dangerous, well it was 150 yrs old, never mind it will weather with age. The floor had to be replaced because it was also becoming dangerous too, and threatening to make the inspection pits cave in. It is the oldest steam shed in use for it's original purpose anywhere in the world.
 
John King said:
The roof had to be replaced because it was becoming dangerous, well it was 150 yrs old, never mind it will weather with age. The floor had to be replaced because it was also becoming dangerous too, and threatening to make the inspection pits cave in. It is the oldest steam shed in use for it's original purpose anywhere in the world.
Click to expand...
Indeed, I recall your previous posts on it.

Modern infrastructure (or materials) are one of the hazards of photographing heritage railways, as they tend to jar with the old stuff. It isn't just that with the frame in question though; the roof coincides rather disconcertingly with the two coal waggons, and almost looks like a lid on top of them, whilst also upsetting the shape of the top of the rake, as well as messing with the skyline and the trees. As I say, I know how difficult it can be, but its a shame you couldn't find a compo that didn't include that ruddy roof!

PS I can see that it's the same rake from a different angle in the last frame.
 
In this case I thought we were talking about something different. I thought it was the old original shed you were talking about but which you are aware of but is not in the pictures. What you can see is the new (20 yr old) carriage shed and yes I can see it above the wagons now, but had not noticed it before.
It is always the case where something has to be built to preserve items that otherwise would have to be left out in the open. When they are not being run it is the home for up to 8/10 heritage coaches, all of which are over 100 years old. They have been rebuilt with the teak and oak woodwork painstakingly restored or replaced left in the open they would quickly deteriorate.

This line when it was in general service between collieries and the River Tyne, it was purely mineral and never ever carried passengers which is why they have no other storage.

They could have built a replica stone and slate building, but at a cost many, many, many, thousands of pounds in excess of what they had to pay for this one. It just wasn't financially viable. The old phrase 'cut your cloth according to your purse' comes to mind.
 
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