DARLINGTON'S RAILWAY HERITAGE (AND THERE'S TIME FOR A PINT!)

As we approach the town of Darlington, we come across the North Eastern Railway's locomotive works, where a 4-4-0 is lifted high into the air.. 

 

Workers not at work in the works in NER times.

64938 and others in the works yard in BR times.

An unusual visitor, diesel shunter D2700 at the works.

Darlington North Road station, on the Bishop Auckland line, visited by a V2 hauled railtour.

Part of North Road station has been converted into a museum, where "Derwent" from the Stockton & Darlington Railway is exhibited.

Some more locos on display, reflecting local industry.

In the yard outside, an ex Gas Board loco is in steam.

Before looking at the rest of Darlington's railways, as we're in the north of the town, it would be a shame to miss out on the Snooker Club (CAMRA members welcome), where a great selection of real ales are sold.

Nearby was once the County Borough pub, gone now, I'm afraid.

Just north of Darlington's main station, named Bank Top, was the loco shed, where LNER (ex H&BR) 2477 is seen in 1932

80103 looks pristine as it sits outside Darlington MPD.

Feeling rather sorry for itself ex WD 2-10-0 no. 90772 in the shed yard.

LNER 4348 photographed entering Darlington Bank Top on a semi-fast in May 1932.

A general view of Bank Top station in the 1970s, with a DMU and a class 47.

It's 1999 and a Royal Mail service calls.

A more modern photo, in 2013, but history now; as all the Pacers have gone.

The next post will see us looking at the town's public transport and its pubs.

LOTS OF RAILWAY HISTORY

 Want to see where we're going, or where we've been? Here's a link to the map.

Right.... We've left Stockton behnd and now find ourselves at the Talbot in Bishopton.

Just to the north, the NER station at Stillington, now long gone.

The Iron Horse, in nearby Newton Aycliffe, seems to have vanished into the ether!

So our next stop is Heighington.

Here's the village green (Creative Commons License).

The parish church (Creative Commons License).

The Bay Horse in Heighington is well worth a visit.

There's also the George & Dragon.

Heighington station, on the Bishop Auckland branch, is a fair distance from the village. Here's the level crossing in NER times.

Some more modern movements through Heighington station.

Now we head towards Shildon, passing Shildon Lodge Colliery.

And, so into Shildon itself.

Shildon station in pre-grouping days.

Shildon signal box, still in use in 2006.

The North Eastern Railway had various workshops in Shildon, including the Store House (above) and the Wood Yard (below).

In 1932 the LNER was storing its electric locos at Shildon.

Today, Shildon is home to an outpost of the National Railway Museum.

Reflecting Shildon's railway heritage, the Timothy Hackworth pub. Sadly, it's closed.

The King William is still open, but no real ale.

More bad news, the Raby Hunt at Summerhouse is now just a restaurant, so no beer to conclude this post.

Next time, we'll be in Darlington and there's plenty of beer there.

BUSES AND A FEW BEERS IN STOCKTON

Back in the mid 1960s, we arrive by coach into Stockton, courtesy of Walker's of Hexthorpe, Doncaster. 

At that time, Stockton Corporation ran its own buses. (Top photo by Les Flint)

Stockton, Middlesbrough and the Teesside system were soon combined to form Teesside Municipal Transport. No A53 is seen in Stockton High Street in 1974.

Teesside Municipal Transport was to be transformed into Cleveland Transit.

Stagecoach later took over.

United was the other large operator in Stockton. This Leyland Leopard had come from Wilkinsons of Sedgefield.

It's 1977 and this West Yorkshire Road Car Bristol VR was on loan to United to help Stockton celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

Tees & District was formed from the southern part of the United empire.

Arriva is the successor to United, etc.

The Go Ahead Group also have a presence in Stockton.

Independents over the years have included Trimdon Motor Services, OK Travel, Robsons and Delta.

They heard we were coming, so Maxim Brewery is delivering more beer to Stockton.

First stop, the Clarendon, but it has since closed.

The Cricketers is also a pub no more.

The Theatre has since been renamed and has no cask beer.

At least the town's Wetherspoons, the Thomas Sheraton, can provide us with some real ale.

Trader Jacks, another one now renamed and has lost its cask beer.

I'm not certain what happened to this micropub, the Go Between.

This one, however, is still well and truly in business - The Golden Smog.

The Sun Inn is a "must visit", if only for the draught Bass.

The Wasp's Nest overlooks the Tees.

Leaving Stockton town centre behind, we proceed into the western suburbs, to Hartburn and the Masham pub.

That's it for this post. We'll take a diversionary route towards Darlington in the next post.