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A photograph of Staithes Viaduct, taken from the landward side, I think, showing a 5 coach train travelling towards Whitby, headed by a large tank engine (possibly an A8 (4-6-2T) or maybe a BR Standard tank (2-6-4T) – or even a Thompson L1 tank (2-6-4T) – thanks to Mark Thompson).
What a remarkably scenic railway this was – nowadays it would be the ideal candidate for preservation – and we cannot blame Dr Beeching for the closure of the line. As Andrew Hogan tells us: ”This line closed in 1958, Dr. Beeching did not come to power until 1962 and therefore had nothing to do with its closure.” Thanks to Mark for that update.
Russ Piggott tells us: ”The loco is a class L1 2-6-4t and the photo was taken after 1956 as it has the later BR crest,maybe even closure day as there seems to be a lot of people (enthusiasts?) stood up and looking out of the coach windows.” Thanks to Russ for that update.
Staithes Viaduct, with a local commuter train, powered by a British Railways “Standard” tank engine. This photograph was probably taken towards the end of the line’s existence, a two carriage train indicating the decline of rail traffic as increased fares and better road links caused migration away from the railways.
All that remains now are the concrete piers that supported the steelwork.
In view is the stone abutment which supported the west end. The east end abutment, also of stone, was demolished.
Thanks again to Simon for the last piece of information
A view the viaduct from downstream, looking inland. The train is heading towards Staithes station. Chris Davies tells us:”The engine is a Raven/Gresley A8 4-6-2t hauling a train of ex-NER and a Thompson suburban brake of the LNER.”
Thanks to Chris for that update.
Dismantling Staithes viaduct (thanks to Eric Johnson for the information).
According to ”Subterranea Britannica” this occured in 1960. (John G.)
Doesn’t look real does it? The train going over Loftus viaduct is dumping shale from the mines to convert the viaduct into an embankment. The viaduct was seriously weakened by undermining from the ironstone mines, so these drastic measures were taken to fix the problem.
But not by this train – a local commuter makes its way across the skyline towards Loftus as the biggest shale heap in the area takes shape!
New London being the local nickname for Liverton Mines. The long sweep of the viaduct is easily visible in this image, as are the calcining kilns at Liverton Mine – the fumes from which used to rot the clothes of the labourers working on them.
Norman Patton says ”Our family moved from “Brickyard” to Liverton mines in 1952. The promise of a fitted bathroom and hot ‘n cold running water and our garden front and back was too much to resist! Wages at Kilton pit were good at the time and the Journey on push-bike much easier for our Father. We even had a television before the Coronation and the Stanley Matthews Cup Final(12? Black and White, Console model)! The new estate of council houses inspired the name ” New London” for the village and the council estate was the “Holy City”!”
(Brickyard being the local name for the Hartington Street, High Row and St Hilda’s Terrace area of Loftus – rodders)
A shot of a J25 0-6-0 loco, number 65663, (based at Whitby shed) and guard’s van leaving Raithwaite Viaduct towards Whitby on the ”pick-up” goods. The locomotive is fitted with a snow-plough (known as a bufferbeam plough) . The logo on the tender looks like an early BR roundel.
(thanks to Mark for details – rodders)
You’ll only see guard’s vans on preserved railways these days, despite objections from the railmen’s union they were removed from service early in the diesel era.
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