ORE GANTRY, CONSETT IRON WORKS
Standard 9F 92063 on the ore unloading gantry at Consett Iron Works. This had to be one of the most dangerous locations we ever attempted to take a photograph. Pitch black and industry roaring all around! Jeff Simpson and I had travelled in the guards' van late at night. The Class 40 banker had run up behind us at South Pelaw and the roar of it's engine and the dazzling headcode lights swaying in the total darkness above our heads was all we experienced standing on the back platform of the van. Only when it fell off at Consett did we then hear the 9F again! On the return we were promised the crew would slow at Birtley Station so we could jump off, but the actuality was we jumped off at a higher speed than expected, hitting lineside obstacles, in total darkness, luckily gathering just a few scratches and bruises. The folly of youth, but very exciting! They were very different times! circa 1966
ORE GANTRY, CONSETT IRON WORKS
Standard 9F 92063 on the ore unloading gantry at Consett Iron Works. This had to be one of the most dangerous locations we ever attempted to take a photograph. Pitch black and industry roaring all around! Jeff Simpson and I had travelled in the guards' van late at night. The Class 40 banker had run up behind us at South Pelaw and the roar of it's engine and the dazzling headcode lights swaying in the total darkness above our heads was all we experienced standing on the back platform of the van. Only when it fell off at Consett did we then hear the 9F again! On the return we were promised the crew would slow at Birtley Station so we could jump off, but the actuality was we jumped off at a higher speed than expected, hitting lineside obstacles, in total darkness, luckily gathering just a few scratches and bruises. The folly of youth, but very exciting! They were very different times! circa 1966