The Pontop & South Shields Railway

After the financial failure of the Stanhope & Tyne Railroad Company in 1841, a new company was set up to operate the coal-carrying eastern half of the railway that ran from the area around Consett down to South Shields. This new company, the Pontop & South Shields Railway, continued to enjoy success in moving coal from pits in north-west Durham to the shipping point on the River Tyne. Through changes of ownership and modifications to the route, the line continued in use up until the early 1980s, and is perhaps best known for the heavy trains of iron ore climbing up the steep gradients to Consett from Tyne Dock, hauled by large steam locomotives and, later, diesel locomotives.

Telling the history of this line as it underwent changes, together with stories of runaways and other incidents, this book includes many photographs of this fascinating railway.