A VISIT TO THE KILLINGWORTH BILLY

The Stephenson Steam Railway is home to one of the oldest surviving steam locomotives in the world

Signalling members took time out from their grades conference in Newcastle recently to travel back in time to when coal was king at the Stephenson Steam Railway.

The visit was organised by North Tyneside Steam Railway Association (NTSRA) member and signalling conference regular Mark Beresford who also works hard to keep the North Tyneside steam railway alive as a volunteer.

Delegates took a trip on the two-mile industrial railway managed by Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums on behalf of North Tyneside Council. They rode in style in 1950s British Railways carriages to the sound of one the diesel locomotives work hard climbing the steep gradients away from the Tyne towards the old coal fields of Northumberland.

In the station yard at Middle Engine Lane, you can see a large variety of wagons and rail vehicles that were once a common sight on the railways of Tyneside. Inside the museum, delegates explored the range of steam, diesel and electric locomotives that each have a fascinating story to tell.

Volunteers also took them around the busy workshops that keep the trains going as well as working on 20 year projects such as rebuilding entire steam engines.

The state-of-the art museum teaches visitors about George and Robert Stephenson and their influence on the development of the steam locomotive through animations and artefacts from the time. There are steam, diesel and electric locomotives from collieries, steelworks and power stations in Tyneside and beyond from as early as the 1880s.

This includes a Tyneside Electric Parcel Van - built in 1904 and beautifully restored at the museum, the only surviving vehicle from the Tyneside Suburban Electric Railway. There is also an electric locomotive built by Siemens in 1909 for an extensive colliery railway system in South Shields.

The star of the show is the early locomotive 'Billy' - built in Newcastle around 1816 under the supervision of George Stephenson. The engine was used to haul waggons carrying coal from Killingworth Colliery to the River Tyne.

The Association is based at Stephenson Steam Railway and provides a volunteer workforce to assist with the maintenance and conservation of locomotives and rolling stock. Association members operate the locomotives and railway, with roles as diverse as driver, firemen, guard, shunter, operations controller and engineer. Volunteers also provide support with administration and customer service. All training is provided so if you’re interested in gaining work experience in a friendly environment, learning new skills and gaining confidence, get in touch - email members.ntsra@gmail.com