Sludger Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I am compiling notes on the dieselisation of the Blyth and Tyne and would like to find out when the class 20s arrived at Gateshead and when they were transfered away. I do not have access to the Harris allocations books although i would love to own them if anyone knows were i can lay my hands on them. Locos involved are D8018 to D8029, D8045 to D8048 and D8311 to D8315. As i understand it they worked from 1967 to 1970. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Regards, Trev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Locos involved are D8018 to D8029, D8045 to D8048 and D8311 to D8315. As i understand it they worked from 1967 to 1970. That's a good headstart Trev, with the loco numbers provided. Individual histories are convoluted, but the earliest arrivals were spread between June and Sep 67, with departures between April and Oct 70 - many were not permanent allocations throughout that period, for instance 8019 (to Gateshead 6.67 and away in 4.70) also had spells at Stratford and York in that period. 8045 -48 were particularly fleeting, arriving in 9.67 and going to Toton in 11.67. The 83ers were never at Gateshead, unless perhaps on unofficial loans - their first shed was Thornaby before they moved on to Dairycoates in spring 68. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 29, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2011 The 83ers were never at Gateshead, unless perhaps on unofficial loans - their first shed was Thornaby before they moved on to Dairycoates in spring 68. Weren't the first 10 at York initially? (Can't get to my references at the mo). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Weren't the first 10 at York initially? (Can't get to my references at the mo). They were Mike, but although I didnt specify, I was speaking only in the context of those that the OP actually mentioned (8310 -15, although now I look, he omitted 8310) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 1, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 1, 2011 They were Mike, but although I didnt specify, I was speaking only in the context of those that the OP actually mentioned (8310 -15, although now I look, he omitted 8310) Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Locos involved are D8018 to D8029, D8045 to D8048 and D8310 to D8315. As i understand it they worked from 1967 to 1970. Edited above to include 8310 per the MC's input, here's the vote from the Harris jury: 8018 52A 6/67, 55B 6/68, 52A 5/70, 41A 10/70 8019 52A 6/67, 30A 8/68, 55B 10/69, 52A 4/70, 41A 10/70 8020 52A 6/67, 41A 10/70 8021 52A 8/67, 41A 10/70 (spent time loaned to Heaton) 8022 52A 7/67, 41A 10/70 8023 52A 9/67, 41A 10/70 8024 52A 9/67, 55B 6/70 8025 52A 7/67, 41A 10/70 8026 52A 9/67, 41A 10/70 8027 52A 6/67, 55B 5/70 8028 52A 6/67, 40B 10/70 8029 52A 9/67, 55B 4/70 8045 52A 9/67, D16 11/67 8046 52A 9/67, D16 11/67 8047 52A 9/67, D16 11/67 8048 52A 9/67, D16 11/67 8310 51L - 50B - 41A, and the next five higher numbered chibleys likewise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberdeenBill Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Interesting... What sort of duties did the 20s work? Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I hadn't realised that Gateshead had even had Class 20s, so this post got me checking old ABCs. By my reckoning, 52A must have had one of the most varied collections of diesel loco over the years: 03, 04, 17, 20, 24, 25, 31, 37, 40, 46, 47, 55, 56. Not sure if I've missed any ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Interesting... What sort of duties did the 20s work? That's a good question. I recall one shot (IIRC in a Locoshed Book and possibly taken at Pegswood) of a particularly filthy pair on a coal train (again IIRC, it was either 21T or 24.5T hoppers). I've also seen a pair of the above-mentioned 83ers on coal but cant remember where. Given that they were sent to replace steam, coal traffic would seem most likely but evidence of other sightings would be interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 That's a good question. I recall one shot (IIRC in a Locoshed Book and possibly taken at Pegswood) of a particularly filthy pair on a coal train (again IIRC, it was either 21T or 24.5T hoppers). I've also seen a pair of the above-mentioned 83ers on coal but cant remember where. Given that they were sent to replace steam, coal traffic would seem most likely but evidence of other sightings would be interesting. I have in my mind's eye several images taken at the southerly access to Tyne Yard off the ECML. Monochrome shots of diesels and steam - run down A3s, claytons and EE type 1s and type 3s. Can't remember the photographer though. Was it the chap who later gave us steam around Preston and the Blackpool line too ? I can see em now !!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Thanks to everyone who has replied - the information is great. When the 20s first arrived they were used to replace steam on a one for one basis on the Blyth and Tyne and were normally based at South Blyth. The management tried to keep the diesels seperate from the steam engines after May 1967 when steam was eliminated from South Blyth. As can be imagined it was quite a headache with North Blyth drivers who knew diesels going to South Blyth for their loco and drivers from South Blyth who had not passed out going to North Blyth for a steam loco. The locos were used to cover any traffic and as far as i am aware were never used at Gateshead as the drivers there did not sign them. They only returned to Gateshead for examinations and maintenance. When Cambois opened on 28/1/1968 all diesels were transfered there and at the same time a new method of working at Cambois Power Station was introduced which required the 20s to work in pairs hauling trains of 30 24tonners (later HUO) with a vacuum braked guards van at each end of the train for additional brake force. The 20s did work quite regurlarly on other services like the Dock Goods which only needed a single engine and released a 37 for shipping work. Very occaisionally you could see a single one on this service coupled to a brake tender which was en-route to Tyne Yard for forwarding to a works for overhaul. Hope this is of interest, regards, Trev. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Hope this is of interest, It is Trev, very much - as Phil will testify, this 'end of steam' period can be a bit overlooked when it comes to diesel workings. And it's good to see somebody giving back 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I have in my mind's eye several images taken at the southerly access to Tyne Yard off the ECML. Monochrome shots of diesels and steam - run down A3s, claytons and EE type 1s and type 3s. Can't remember the photographer though. Was it the chap who later gave us steam around Preston and the Blackpool line too ? I can see em now !!!!! Just thought - was his name Arthur ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingley hall Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 A visit to Blyth Cambois Shed on a Saturday morning, 29 August 1970, revealed...... Class 03: 2050 Class 37: 6760,6761,6793,6796,6833,6917 Class 20: 8021,8023,8025,8026,8028 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 It is Trev, very much - as Phil will testify, this 'end of steam' period can be a bit overlooked when it comes to diesel workings. And it's good to see somebody giving back Hi Pennine, thanks for the encouragement. I am researching the workings from Cambois. I actually worked there from 1975 to 1986 but did not do the recording i should have done. The period just after steam is one of my favourites and had some wonderful workings which were quickly wiped out with the early seventies traction plan. Sadly photos of the period are very rare. The pair of twenties at Pegswood (D8023 and 8024) were captured on film by I S Carr heading North to Widdrington in the 1970 shed book. He also photographed the same pair heading South back to Cambois. This shot is in Power of the Twenties i think. The blue pair are in one of Malcolm Castledine's books and are photographed coming out of Ashington Colliery with a shipment load. The 20's ran class 7 when on Power Station work and class 8 when working shipment traffic. This was to aid the Blyth and Tyne Signalmen. I will post up some extracts from Cambois Running and Maintenance Foremans logs from 1968 - 1970 when i get the chance. Regards, Trev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 Just thought - was his name Arthur ? Hi Phil, yes i think Arthur posted something on the old site. I think shots at the South End of Tyne Yard would probably be manned by York men. Regards, Trev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 A visit to Blyth Cambois Shed on a Saturday morning, 29 August 1970, revealed...... Class 03: 2050 Class 37: 6760,6761,6793,6796,6833,6917 Class 20: 8021,8023,8025,8026,8028 Hi, thanks for this it all adds to my knowledge. This was getting quite late for the 20s. You didn't make any notes on liveries did you? Regards, Trev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinzaC55 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I took this photo of two Choppers at Gateshead refuelling point in 1980 but don't know whether they were allocated there. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/2678486492/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUTTLEY Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hi, thanks for this it all adds to my knowledge. This was getting quite late for the 20s. You didn't make any notes on liveries did you? Regards, Trev. Hi Trev, 8021,8023,8025,8026,8028 were all green at that time - they were STILL all green on TOPS renumbering. As far as I recall, 20021 & 28 went blue in 1975, 20025 in 1976, 20026 around 1977/8 and 20023 in early 1979. Also, 8028 had the Tablet-Catcher recess, from when it was an IS loco. Of the sum total of 20s that were allocated to GD, listed a few posts up - aside from the D83XXs, the only BLUE ones, were 8046 & 8048. These two were among the very first Class 20 blue repaints and both carried the old "block-style" numerals and "D" prefixes. D8048 was unique in having its arrows the wrong way 'round. Rgds, Ron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Hi Trev, 8021,8023,8025,8026,8028 were all green at that time - they were STILL all green on TOPS renumbering. As far as I recall, 20021 & 28 went blue in 1975, 20025 in 1976, 20026 around 1977/8 and 20023 in early 1979. Also, 8028 had the Tablet-Catcher recess, from when it was an IS loco. Of the sum total of 20s that were allocated to GD, listed a few posts up - aside from the D83XXs, the only BLUE ones, were 8046 & 8048. These two were among the very first Class 20 blue repaints and both carried the old "block-style" numerals and "D" prefixes. D8048 was unique in having its arrows the wrong way 'round. Rgds, Ron. Hi Ron, thanks for this. I was just trying to reassure myself that what i thought about liveries was correct. I could not remember D8046 being blue!! Do you have any info on the state of the yellow panels at this time? I know that some of them received full yellow ends soon after arrival in 1967. I have seen a shot taken at South Blyth with either D8018 or D8019 with full yellow ends, sadly the number cannot be read but it is definitely one of those 2 as it has oval buffers. I will be looking for info on 37's but will start a different thread for those. Regards, Trev. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUTTLEY Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Hi Ron, thanks for this. I was just trying to reassure myself that what i thought about liveries was correct. I could not remember D8046 being blue!! Do you have any info on the state of the yellow panels at this time? I know that some of them received full yellow ends soon after arrival in 1967. I have seen a shot taken at South Blyth with either D8018 or D8019 with full yellow ends, sadly the number cannot be read but it is definitely one of those 2 as it has oval buffers. I will be looking for info on 37's but will start a different thread for those. Regards, Trev. Hi Trev, D8019 had FYE, by the summer of '69 (good name for a song!) and 8021 had recently painted FYE in July 1970 (so COULD have been SYP, prior to that). I'll try and do some digging on the others.... Cheers, Ron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold D9020 Nimbus Posted August 7, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 7, 2011 I'm pretty certain that class 20s were never actually used in the area around Newcastle and Gateshead--I live in Gateshead (and did so in the 60s) but never saw a class 20: Claytons (class 17) and class 37s were very common, and also 24s, but never 20s. Can't say that I ever saw any 25s either--24s yes, but not 25s as far as I recall. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi Trev, Just read your interesting thread and I feel sure that our paths have crossed in the past, my brother-in law also worked at Cambois in the early 80s. I thought you might be interest in a couple of pics I took when back in 1968 of D8022 & D8024 on the Blyth & Tyne. First up, the pair are passing Newsham Station Second, the pair are shown crossing Newsham Road on the branch to Bates Colliery regards, Mal 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludger Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 Hi Mal, thanks for posting these. Generally shots of anything on the Blyth and Tyne in the late 60s are quite rare. Any chance you sending these for my personal collection in higher res by a PM? Who was your Brother-in- Law? Regards, Trev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Hi Trev, PM sent Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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