22. Prototype Images; North-East England in the 1980s and early 1990s

A selection of views taken around North-East England, mainly during the heady days of the BR blue era. All photos by Malcolm and Andrew Donnelly, unless otherwise stated.

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03063 and 03094 top and tail a rather odd sight around the confines of Gateshead depot - a set of class 31 bogies in for refurbishment. GD was responsable for bogie overhauls on the class to prolong the time between major overhauls. 47527 sits in the background.
03063 and 03094 top and tail a rather odd sight around the confines of Gateshead depot - a set of class 31 bogies in for refurbishment. GD was responsable for bogie overhauls on the class to prolong the time between major overhauls. 47527 sits in the background.
 03069 provides some Shunter Super Power as it trundles down the slow lines parallel with the ECML between Low Fell and Tyne Yard with a considerable trip working from Blaydon during June 1982. Imagine a 204hp shunter let loose on the mainline today doing this!
03069 provides some Shunter Super Power as it trundles down the slow lines parallel with the ECML between Low Fell and Tyne Yard with a considerable trip working from Blaydon during June 1982. Imagine a 204hp shunter let loose on the mainline today doing this!
 03078 passes Gateshead TMD with a trip working from Tyne Yard to Tyneside CFD, formed of 4 cartics locaded with Ford Sierras during 1982. What a period piece!
03078 passes Gateshead TMD with a trip working from Tyne Yard to Tyneside CFD, formed of 4 cartics locaded with Ford Sierras during 1982. What a period piece!
 03078 stands in front of 46037 as the Peak spectacularly blows off steam during a boiler test in March 1982. The 46 was the last to retain the glass headcode panels.
03078 stands in front of 46037 as the Peak spectacularly blows off steam during a boiler test in March 1982. The 46 was the last to retain the glass headcode panels.
20020 features in this rather outrageous view taken at Ouston Junction on August 20th 1985. Not the best slide, but it has been photoshopped as it was badly over-exposed. 20020 & 20103 sit on the slow line waiting for a clear road south with the weekly coke train to Orgreave, whilst sisters 20002 & 20144 head the return empty oil tanks from Jarrow to Immingham. This is the only time class 20s have been known on the Jarrow oil (unless anyone knows different!) but to get 4 20s in one shot on Tyneside?! My lords!
20020 features in this rather outrageous view taken at Ouston Junction on August 20th 1985. Not the best slide, but it has been photoshopped as it was badly over-exposed. 20020 & 20103 sit on the slow line waiting for a clear road south with the weekly coke train to Orgreave, whilst sisters 20002 & 20144 head the return empty oil tanks from Jarrow to Immingham. This is the only time class 20s have been known on the Jarrow oil (unless anyone knows different!) but to get 4 20s in one shot on Tyneside?! My lords!
 20020 is included again in another view paired with 20103 getting away from Ouston junction, south of Tyne Yard with the weekly coke train from Norwood to Orgreave. Note the large ScR numbers and ML leaping salmon. (MD)
20020 is included again in another view paired with 20103 getting away from Ouston junction, south of Tyne Yard with the weekly coke train from Norwood to Orgreave. Note the large ScR numbers and ML leaping salmon. (MD)
 20095 is seen waiting to take on fuel at Gateshead TMD in October 1982. Class 20s were occasional visitors to the NE during the 1980s, never regular but always enough to cause a stir.
20095 is seen waiting to take on fuel at Gateshead TMD in October 1982. Class 20s were occasional visitors to the NE during the 1980s, never regular but always enough to cause a stir.
 20126 and 20124 sit cab to cab at the east end of Gateshead depot on April 22nd 1985, whilst on transfer between Motherwell and Tinsley.
20126 and 20124 sit cab to cab at the east end of Gateshead depot on April 22nd 1985, whilst on transfer between Motherwell and Tinsley.
20166 and 20193 head north at towards Durham with the weekly Orgreave to Tyne Yard coke working. This train ran on wednesdays (I think!) and took coke from the now closed plant at Norwood.
20166 and 20193 head north at towards Durham with the weekly Orgreave to Tyne Yard coke working. This train ran on wednesdays (I think!) and took coke from the now closed plant at Norwood.
 20172 and 20173 get to grips with a rake of PGAs destined for Redmire as they leave Tees yard on August 26th 1988.
20172 and 20173 get to grips with a rake of PGAs destined for Redmire as they leave Tees yard on August 26th 1988.
 25037 and 25190 sandwich 47406 Rail Riders away from Gateshead TMD on March 1st 1986. The 47 had major brake problems and was being moved to Crewe works for repairs.
25037 and 25190 sandwich 47406 Rail Riders away from Gateshead TMD on March 1st 1986. The 47 had major brake problems and was being moved to Crewe works for repairs.
 25113 and 25154 head west along the Tyne Valley line at Dunston with a freightliner diverted off the WCML in July 1982. This was a complete chance encounter, MD and AD being out to see what was on the Edinburgh to Carlisle loco hauled turn!
25113 and 25154 head west along the Tyne Valley line at Dunston with a freightliner diverted off the WCML in July 1982. This was a complete chance encounter, MD and AD being out to see what was on the Edinburgh to Carlisle loco hauled turn!
25301 drags a failed 47361 towards Gateshead depot as 47303 passes with an oil train destined for Jarrow during June 1982.
25301 drags a failed 47361 towards Gateshead depot as 47303 passes with an oil train destined for Jarrow during June 1982.
26003 and 26005 head The Cumbrian Tynesider railtour past Blaydon signalbox on March 13th 1993, on one of the classes' last appearances on Tyneside.
26003 and 26005 head The Cumbrian Tynesider railtour past Blaydon signalbox on March 13th 1993, on one of the classes' last appearances on Tyneside.
 26029 trundles into Tyne Yard with 8E01 from Carlisle, conveying a bizarre mixture of engineers wagons. This photo featured in an article in Traction magazine about Bo-Bos on Tyneside by Andrew & Malcolm Donnelly. (AD)
26029 trundles into Tyne Yard with 8E01 from Carlisle, conveying a bizarre mixture of engineers wagons. This photo featured in an article in Traction magazine about Bo-Bos on Tyneside by Andrew & Malcolm Donnelly. (AD)
 33113 provides a very rare sight on Tyneside, as it gets to grip with the ECML at Bensham during March 1984 with a set of Gatwick Express stock which was on a promotional tour.
33113 provides a very rare sight on Tyneside, as it gets to grip with the ECML at Bensham during March 1984 with a set of Gatwick Express stock which was on a promotional tour.
37003 provides some Tractor power for a load of Tractors! This rather rare view was taken at Bensham in June 1983, although details of the working are unknown.
37003 provides some Tractor power for a load of Tractors! This rather rare view was taken at Bensham in June 1983, although details of the working are unknown.
37009 and 31208 are unusual partners on the 0840 Yarmouth to Newcastle on July 21st 1984, seen approaching King Edward Bridge junction at Bensham.
37009 and 31208 are unusual partners on the 0840 Yarmouth to Newcastle on July 21st 1984, seen approaching King Edward Bridge junction at Bensham.
 37015 puts down the power as it leaves Tees Yard with 6M74 Tees to Willesden Speedlink working on August 26th 1988. (AD)
37015 puts down the power as it leaves Tees Yard with 6M74 Tees to Willesden Speedlink working on August 26th 1988. (AD)
 37029 and 37101 head a rake of HEA hoppers out of Low Fell Yard during July 1981. The NE was unusual in that HEA wagons were used on the MGR circuits as opposed to the more common HAAs elsewhere.
37029 and 37101 head a rake of HEA hoppers out of Low Fell Yard during July 1981. The NE was unusual in that HEA wagons were used on the MGR circuits as opposed to the more common HAAs elsewhere.
37045 heads the ECS from the Saturdays-only Blackpool to Newcastle service back to the LMR, seen passing the works to re-open Dunston station in August 1984.
37045 heads the ECS from the Saturdays-only Blackpool to Newcastle service back to the LMR, seen passing the works to re-open Dunston station in August 1984.
 37063 heads a wonderfully mixed freight on the approach to the site of the former Low Fell station during March 1982.
37063 heads a wonderfully mixed freight on the approach to the site of the former Low Fell station during March 1982.
 37063 makes another appearance, again in March 1982, as it heads a rake of Mermaid side tipping ballast wagons over the High Level bridge into the former Gateshead West station platforms.
37063 makes another appearance, again in March 1982, as it heads a rake of Mermaid side tipping ballast wagons over the High Level bridge into the former Gateshead West station platforms.
 37068 makes the first of two appearances in the gallery - both at the same place! During March 1982, it is seen heading east past the depot with a rake of HTO/HTV hoppers from Low Fell yard. Note the second Redheugh Bridge under construction in the background. (MD)
37068 makes the first of two appearances in the gallery - both at the same place! During March 1982, it is seen heading east past the depot with a rake of HTO/HTV hoppers from Low Fell yard. Note the second Redheugh Bridge under construction in the background. (MD)
37068 stars again, this time in May 1982 with a westbound trip working at Gateshead TMD, conveying an ecclectic mix of an OBA, VDA and unbraked coal hoppers! (MD)
37068 stars again, this time in May 1982 with a westbound trip working at Gateshead TMD, conveying an ecclectic mix of an OBA, VDA and unbraked coal hoppers! (MD)
37083 heads a Carlisle to Tyne Yard freight past Norwood Junction with a class 40 dead in tow in April 1983. However, this is no ordinary class 40 - its 40122 or D200 on its way to Toton for repairs and a return to traffic!
37083 heads a Carlisle to Tyne Yard freight past Norwood Junction with a class 40 dead in tow in April 1983. However, this is no ordinary class 40 - its 40122 or D200 on its way to Toton for repairs and a return to traffic!
 37104 and 37003 feature in a rather lucky shot as they run parallel down the ECML at Low Fell station on July 11th 1991. 37104 heads a ballast trip from Hexham whilst 37003 is on 6P61 from Railwat Street cement terminal in Newcastle to Tyne Yard.
37104 and 37003 feature in a rather lucky shot as they run parallel down the ECML at Low Fell station on July 11th 1991. 37104 heads a ballast trip from Hexham whilst 37003 is on 6P61 from Railwat Street cement terminal in Newcastle to Tyne Yard.
 37123 was a regular Western Region loco, so was a welcome sight leaving Tyne Yard with a local ballast trip on May 6th 1986. (AD)
37123 was a regular Western Region loco, so was a welcome sight leaving Tyne Yard with a local ballast trip on May 6th 1986. (AD)
37128, from Tinsley depot as noted with the steam-style depot plaque on the headcode box, rumbles towards Tyne Yard with a rake of HTV hoppers during July 1983. (MD)
37128, from Tinsley depot as noted with the steam-style depot plaque on the headcode box, rumbles towards Tyne Yard with a rake of HTV hoppers during July 1983. (MD)
 37146 was subject to a spell at Inverness which saw it undergo a variation on the theme of Large logo livery - namely without the large logo! It was allegedly required for service before the job could be completed. Note the blue bonnet! (MD)
37146 was subject to a spell at Inverness which saw it undergo a variation on the theme of Large logo livery - namely without the large logo! It was allegedly required for service before the job could be completed. Note the blue bonnet! (MD)
 37152 contrast with the view of 37029 as it leads a rake of tired looking HTV hoppers out of Low Fell yard in July 1981. The loco was based at Motherwell at the time, hence making a rare appearance on Tyneside.
37152 contrast with the view of 37029 as it leads a rake of tired looking HTV hoppers out of Low Fell yard in July 1981. The loco was based at Motherwell at the time, hence making a rare appearance on Tyneside.
 37166 leads a sister through Low Fell during September 1983 with the return Workington to Lackenby steel empties. The leading loco features Darlington style grills and an odd clue to its identity was the yellow coupling hook. (AD)
37166 leads a sister through Low Fell during September 1983 with the return Workington to Lackenby steel empties. The leading loco features Darlington style grills and an odd clue to its identity was the yellow coupling hook. (AD)
37199 passes Gateshead depot with a rake of HTV hoppers during February 1984, in a typical condition for the period.
37199 passes Gateshead depot with a rake of HTV hoppers during February 1984, in a typical condition for the period.
37199 was a long term Gateshead loco and in seen during August 1984 whilst heading a rake of ballast wagons during a possesion to upgrade the Norwood Junction to Blaydon line.
37199 was a long term Gateshead loco and in seen during August 1984 whilst heading a rake of ballast wagons during a possesion to upgrade the Norwood Junction to Blaydon line.
 37250 is obviously fresh from overhaul at Donny works in this panorama of Gateshead TMD during May 1984. 08587, 03094 and 47135 are also on shed. (AD)
37250 is obviously fresh from overhaul at Donny works in this panorama of Gateshead TMD during May 1984. 08587, 03094 and 47135 are also on shed. (AD)
40124 was a regular North-East performer, seen here heading north through Durham during March 1983 with a rake of largely Grampus wagons. (AD)
40124 was a regular North-East performer, seen here heading north through Durham during March 1983 with a rake of largely Grampus wagons. (AD)
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