Diamonds are forever?
In a shot taken from high up on The Keep, class 37 no. 37059 passes lazily through Newcastle station on a light engine move.
In the left distance an unidentified class 03 shunter (possibly 03061 or 03094) sees gainful employment marshalling a rake of parcels vans. Meanwhile, on the right, the suburban platforms are still open with passengers in the process of disembarking a Metropolitan Cammell unit which had arrived moments before.
The infamous diamond crossings at this end of the station are supplemented by a nice array of double and single slips, together constituting a layout more consistent with the needs of the steam age and sizeable amounts of freight and parcels traffic.
Traffic patterns have changed of course and the current track layout has been simplified almost beyond recognition (sadly, no diamonds), helped in part by the removal of the suburban platforms, the area having been converted to a car park.
I was travelling on a week-long Eastern Region Rail Rover at the time, and only going home every second day to change clothes and get a decent night's rest. Just how restful was questionable though - eager to optimise my time out I was taking the first train to Grantham out of Nottingham, which entailed a four mile walk in from Beeston given the lack of a connecting train. The stamina, or folly, of youth - you decide.
Will stand full-screen viewing.
Ilford FP4 rated at 160asa, developed in Acutol.
8th September 1976
Diamonds are forever?
In a shot taken from high up on The Keep, class 37 no. 37059 passes lazily through Newcastle station on a light engine move.
In the left distance an unidentified class 03 shunter (possibly 03061 or 03094) sees gainful employment marshalling a rake of parcels vans. Meanwhile, on the right, the suburban platforms are still open with passengers in the process of disembarking a Metropolitan Cammell unit which had arrived moments before.
The infamous diamond crossings at this end of the station are supplemented by a nice array of double and single slips, together constituting a layout more consistent with the needs of the steam age and sizeable amounts of freight and parcels traffic.
Traffic patterns have changed of course and the current track layout has been simplified almost beyond recognition (sadly, no diamonds), helped in part by the removal of the suburban platforms, the area having been converted to a car park.
I was travelling on a week-long Eastern Region Rail Rover at the time, and only going home every second day to change clothes and get a decent night's rest. Just how restful was questionable though - eager to optimise my time out I was taking the first train to Grantham out of Nottingham, which entailed a four mile walk in from Beeston given the lack of a connecting train. The stamina, or folly, of youth - you decide.
Will stand full-screen viewing.
Ilford FP4 rated at 160asa, developed in Acutol.
8th September 1976