Up North! Shildon's Locomotion and Diesels at NYMR

Thankfully, our son's foot has responded well to the operation. We stopped up to do the driving even though he was back home. I took the opportunity to visit The Locomotion at Shildon, taking our youngest grandson. Shildon is an over-flow for the National Railway Museum so tends to have the less prestigious locos though does have a Royal Train and some interesting wagons.

We saw a Southern Railway Brakevan being offloaded from a heavy loader.

25T Bogie Goods Brake Van, No 56297, 1936 (British Railways No 041414)

The Southern Railway built some twin-bogie brake vans on redundant electric locomotive chassis, termed the "Queen Mary" brake vans. Designed for high speed operation on milk and parcels trains rather than stopping power, they had a lengthened cabin, but did not cover the entire twin-bogie chassis. It also has the common side look-outs (termed "duckets") to improve the guard's visibility.

Old and young watching the activity – it's the first time we have seen something like this.

 

 

Grandma and Grandson on the interative screen.

 

 

There was also movement of a rare classic – a 1958 (withdrawn in 1977) Class 71 Bo-Bo Electric Loco that used both a 3^rd rail on the mainline and an Overhead Pantograph when operating in sidings (for safety reasons).

 



BR Southern Region Class 71 E5001

 

Red Freight workmen prepare the loading tracks

 

All being well with our son, we set off home though not without a very pleasant detour to the North York Moors Railway Diesel Gala. It was a fabulous September sunny and warm day. The 'diesel heads' were out in force enjoying a show of some classics.



 

37275

 

Class 55 Deltic No.55 022 1960 Royal Scots Grey

 

Deltic 55 022 on the left with 37 264

 

We had a great day with diesel enthusiasts and enjoyed several trips up and down through the moors. Rather on the spur of the moment we took the opportunity to have a Pullman Sunday Lunch (a day early on the Saturday).