It's no secret that I'm a fan of steam locomotives. I grew up with them as a child on the LNER route and still love to see them whenever I get the opportunity. This page shows just a few photographs of those wonderful machines I have managed to see over the last few years. There are more images of steam locomotives on the Flying Scotsman, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Tornado pages.

The GWR 6000 class steam engine “King Edward II” (6023) hauling “The Red Dragon” and steaming up Goathland’s 1 in 49 bank during the North Yorkshire Moor Steam Gala weekend during September, 2019. Photograph © Rowland Taylor.

The A4 Pacific (4-6-2) 60009 "Union of South Africa" hauling "The Bon Accord" excursion through Tursdale Junction in County Durham on Saturday, September 15th, 2018. According to the schedule it should have been named "The Talisman" but, nevertheless, great to see at speed.

A replica of "Rocket" in steam at "Locomotion - The National Railway Museum" in Shildon during mid-September, 2019.

The V2 (2-6-2) 4771 "Green Arrow" at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon in County Durham.

During late April 2018 I had an enjoyable visit to Tanfield Railway in Tyne & Wear. This National Coal Board tank engine (NCB 49) is in the sheds at the Andrews House location and was built as number 5062, later 75062, by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns at their Newcastle works.

Also taken at Tanfield Railway in Tyne & Wear during late April is this beautifully preserved 0-4-0 saddle tank engine, number 2, which was built by R&W Hawthorn and Leslie & Company in 1911 and had the original works number of 2859.

A little polish on the engine before she leaves Andrews House Station on the Tanfield Railway and, on the right, getting up a little steam as she leaves for her next destination.

A token is being handed by the Marley Hill signalman to the driver to inform him that the single line he's about to travel on is clear of any other engines and, on the right, a nice view of the coal burning away in the firebox as the engine heads back to Andrews House Station.

The LMS Coronation Class (4-6-2) 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" on an excursion on Saturday, September 10th, 2016 hauling “The North Eastern” between Derby and Newcastle and back. She is seen here heading southbound at Bradbury on her return trip to Derby.

An impressive sight at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon during July 2016 with the V2 (2-6-2) 4771 "Green Arrow" sharing the canopy with the A4 Pacific (4-6-2) 60009 "Union of South Africa" in a spectacular week-long steam event which ran from July 23rd until July 31st.

The A3 (4-6-2) 60103 "Flying Scotsman" made another trip to the north east on Saturday, June 11th, 2016 when she hauled "The Tynesider" from York to Newcastle and back. She is seen here arriving at Ferryhill from Durham and, on the right, finally leaving after a thirty-minute stop giving enthusiasts some wonderful photographic opportunities. Be sure to vist our specially created page on "Flying Scotsman" with photographs of her taken in the north east of England.

The A3 60103 (4-6-2) "Flying Scotsman" hauling "The Cathedrals Express" southbound at Bradbury on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 17th, 2016.

Despite the "Flying Scotsman" times being withheld due to trespass risk I was fortunate enough to find out when she was heading north through Ferryhill, in County Durham, on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 en-route to Edinburgh. The two photographs directly above show the newly restored A3 (4-6-2) 60103 hauling "The Cathedrals Express" excursion on a trip to Scotland and, yes, I was behind a wire fence! Be sure to vist our "Flying Scotsman" page for more photographs.

A popular attraction at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend 2016. "Teddy" was one of two locomotives in steam for passenger service and cab access. "Teddy" is known as a Yorktown class 0-4-0 saddle tank and built in 1941 by by Peckett and Sons of Bristol and is believed to be the smallest working standard gauge steam engine in the UK.

The V2 (2-6-2) 4771 "Green Arrow" at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon during the Spring Holiday Weekend 2016.

The "Furness Railway Number 20" shared the steam runs during the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend 2016 at Shildon with "Teddy".

The National Railway Museum at Shildon held at Spring Steam Weekend in 2016 from Saturday, April 30th until Monday, May 2nd with both the “Furness Railway No.20” and the 0-4-0 “Teddy” in steam for passenger service and cab access. On the main canopy outside the main museum building visitors could see the the locomotive Class G2 49395, the Southern Railway Battle of Britain Class “Winston Churchill” (34051) along with the V2 (4771) “Green Arrow”.

The North Eastern Railway ‘C’ 0-6-0 (LNER Class J21) 65033 at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon during the Bank Holiday Weekend April/May 2016. The North Eastern Railway Class 'C' 0-6-0 locomotives were designed by T.W. Worsdell and built at the Company's Darlington and Gateshead Works over the decade between 1886 and 1895.

Another exhibit at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon during the Bank Holiday Weekend April/May 2016. The locomotive Class G2 49395 (0-8-0) was originally London & North Western Railway 485, then LMS 9395 and eventually British Railways 49395 was originally situated at the East Lancashire Railway and now preserved as part of the NRM collection. Sixty were built at the Crewe Works between 1921 and 1922.

The LMS Coronation Class (4-6-2) 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" on an excursion on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 hauling “The North Eastern” between Newcastle and Derby and heading on her journey southbound through Chester-le-Street Station in County Durham.

The A1 Peppercorn class 60163 "Tornado" hauling "The Silver Jubilee Talisman" on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 as she heads northbound at speed through Northallerton Station. Visit our Tornado page to see more exclusive photographs of this super engine over the years since she was built in Darlington in 2008.

The Class J72 locomotive 69023 heading into Leeming Bar Station on the Wensleydale Railway during late September 2015. How nice it was to see the gates operated manually by two volunteers.

Another view of the J72 69023 this time in the station at Leeming Bar. The North Eastern Railway Class E1, classified as Class J72 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a class of small 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by Wilson Worsdell for shunting. They were a development of the earlier NER Class E (LNER Class J71) 0-6-0T designed by T.W. Worsdell who was Wilson Worsdell's brother.

The A4 Pacific (4-6-2) 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" heading through Eaglescliffe Station on Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 on her way back to Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. She'd been to Scotland hauling "The Cathedrals Express" and gave enthusiasts a special treat as she travelled up from York. However, steam lovers will have to wait quite a while before you can see her again as she's now off the rails, for up to three years, for a £600,000 overhaul. She was moved during mid-November 2015 from her base at Grosmont to the National Railway Museum in York.

Getting prepared - the preserved LNER Hunt/Shire Class D49 (4-4-0) 62712 “Morayshire” at Locomotion, The National Railway Museum at Shildon for the Spring Steam Gala during the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2015. The “Morayshire” was designed by Nigel Gresley and built at the LNER Darlington works in 1928. In the London & North Eastern Railways (LNER) re-numbering of 1946 "Morayshire" was allocated 2712 and under British Railways (BR) was amended to 62712. She is preserved at the Bo’ness & Kenneil Railway in Scotland.

Another view of the D49 "Morayshire" at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon after the crowds had gone following the Spring Steam Gala on May 3rd and 4th, 2015.

The Great Northern Railway (GNR) No.1 Stirling class engine (4-2-2) taken at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon. The No.1 Stirling engine was a class of steam locomotive for express passenger work. It was designed by Patrick Stirling and built at the Doncaster works between 1870 and 1895. One of its main characteristics was a single pair of large driving wheels which led to a nickname of the ’eight footer’.

Three in a row at the Spring Gala Steam Show in May, 2015 with the V2 "Green Arrow", The Atlantic C1 No.251 and the Great Northern Railway Stirling Class engine No.1.

Steam enthusiasts in Hartlepool had an enjoyable afternoon on Saturday, March 21st, 2015 when the LNER K4 Class 2-6-0 61994 "The Great Marquess" hauled "The Wensleydale & Durham Coast" excursion.

A double header and what a wonderful sight it was with the Railway Touring Club's excursion "The Hadrian" southbound at Ferryhill in County Durham on Saturday, March 7th 2015 and shows the LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 number 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier" with the LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 number 45690 "Leander" in tow.

Having been fully restored the GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tank engine No. 5775 was on display in the main hall at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum in Shildon. Number 5775 was used in the 1970 film version of “The Railway Children”. You can see other photographs of the restoration of this fine engine in the right hand column. For all exhibits at Shildon be sure to visit the NRM Shildon website.

This tank engine - number 85 - is a narrow gauge locomotive which was used on the Sierra Leone Government Railway which officially opened in 1899. The engine was built in Leeds and was one of a number of similar locos to be used on the railway until it closed in 1974.

The LNWR 2-2-2 number 3010 “Cornwall” is a preserved steam locomotive. She was built at Crewe in 1847 and designed by Francis Trevithick. She was originally a 4-2-2 in 1847, but was extensively rebuilt, and converted to a 2-2-2 in 1858.

The Gresley class GNR (Great Northern Railway) N2 0-6-2 tank engine 1744, which took part in the Spring Steam Gala at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon on May 4th and 5th 2014.

The Atlantic C1 No.251 was another visitor to Shildon for the Spring Steam Gala during early May 2014.

The LMS Coronation Class (4-6-2) 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" was on an excursion on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 hauling “The North Eastern” between Newcastle and Derby. Steam fans enjoyed a close-up view as she stopped at Ferryhill for more than half an hour. Sadly, she was delayed on her journey southbound and those enthusiasts, waiting at Bradbury, did not get to see her as, I’m told, she went off on a branch line towards Sedgefield.

The LNER Thompson Class B1 (4-6-0) number 61264 (1264) at Darlington. She was built in 1947 by the North British Locomotive Company and was initially allocated to Parkeston Quay near Harwich. She is seen here in a beautifully restored state after being rescued from scrap in 1973 and preserved. Photograph © Raymond Batchelor.

"The Great Gathering" and "The Great Goodbye" maybe well and truly over and the final chance to see all six remaining A4's together is now just a dream. However, you can still enjoy these beautiful streamlined locomotives on this page. Throughout February 2014 I visited Shildon on a number of occasions and just happened to be there when five of them arrived ready for that wonderful show when more than 120,000 people made the journey to see them.

The world record holder for steam "Mallard" (4468) was initially on show in the main hall at Shildon ready for the big event.

The beautifully restored "Dwight D. Eisenhower" (60008) was seen waiting for her tender to arrive from Barrow Hill.

I do like this photograph of "Dwight D. Eisenhower" just after a shower of rain came down with a nice reflection in the wet.

The "Union of South Africa" brought "Mallard" up from York in preparation for "The Great Goodbye" at Shildon.

A nice close up of the "Union of South Africa" nameplate as she brought "Mallard" up from the National Railway Museum in York to Shildon.

"Mallard" and the "Union of South Africa" were the first two A4's in place at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon ready for "The Great Goodbye" - and how nice it was to see my "Mallard" photograph used on BBC Look North by Paul Mooney when he presented the weather forecast on the evening of February 5th, 2014.

I put this collage together during September 2017 showing the six A4 Pacific locomotives that were at Shildon in February 2014 for The Great Gathering. You can view it in a larger size by clicking on it. Thanks to iPiccy for their software to enable me to make this design.

Following a stay at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum in Shildon for almost two years, the LMS Princess Coronation Class engine 6229 (46229) "Duchess of Hamilton" left on January 31st and returned to the National Railway Museum in York. Of course Shildon must now make way for the showing of "The Great Goodbye" as mentioned above.

The steam locomotive and tender of the London and South Western Railway, 4-4-0 number 563, built Nine Elms 1893 and designed W. Adams. She was withdrawn from service in 1945 and is on exhibit at Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon.

The Gresley designed A4 Pacific 4-6-2 steam locomotive 60009 "Union of South Africa" heads northbound near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, on Friday, June 14th, 2013, hauling the "Cathedral's Express" to Perth in Scotland. Another A4, 60019 "Bittern", made the first part of the journey from London to York before 60009 took over for the remainder of the excursion.

Following some maintenance on her boiler, how nice it was to see "Tornado" back in steam again on June 11th, 2013, as she hauled "The Elizabethan" from London to Edinburgh. She is seen here travelling northbound near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire.

It might have taken eight months to restore her, but the wait was certainly well worth it. The "Dominion of Canada" was shown off to the public on May 17th, 2013 - and a wonderful job, too! Congratulations to all involved in her restoration - you should be very proud because we are extremely proud of you!

Two photographs of the A4 Pacific 4-6-2 4489 (60010) "Dominion Of Canada" when she was being restored at the National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham. Restoration work began on this locomotive during late 2012 and was completed early May, 2013. The "Dominion Of Canada" is just one of six A4's that remain since the days of steam.

The Gresley designed A4 4-6-2 Pacific steam engine 60010 "Dominion of Canada" looking at a little worse for wear as she arrived at Locomotion - the National Railway Museum in Shildon during early October, 2012.

The Gresley designed 4-6-2 A4 Pacific steam engine 60008 "Dwight D. Eisenhower" at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum in Shildon. This loco was one of two A4's that were on show at Shildon during October, 2012. The other was the "Dominion of Canada" 60010. They have been undergoing restoration work at Shildon and York. Both locomotives arrived in Liverpool on Tuesday, October 2nd 2012 having been shipped over from Canada. They are expected to remain in England for two years before being returned to the USA and Canada as museum exhibits.

The "Dominion of Canada" and "Dwight D. Eisenhower" side by side at Shildon. Don't be fooled about the smoke appearing to come from "Dwight D. Eisenhower" - it was, in fact, steam from the Furness Railway Number 20 which was in operation at the time, as you can see below.

The Furness Railway No. 20 in steam at Locomotion - the National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham. It is the flagship locomotive of the Furness Railway Trust. It is the oldest working standard gauge steam engine in Britain. She was built in 1863 by Sharp Stewart & Co. of Manchester as one of a batch of eight 0-4-0 tender locomotives supplied between 1863 and 1866.

The Nigel Gresley A4 Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive 4464 (60019) "Bittern" at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire.

Another view of "Bittern" showing the access door on the corridor tender. Wikipedia says: A Corridor connection (or Gangway connection) is a flexible connector fitted to the end of a railway coach to enable passage from one coach to another without falling out of the train.

I make no secret that the A4 is one of my all time favourite steam engines. The Gresley designed A4 Pacifics here, side by side, are "Bittern" and "Mallard." I am of the age to say I saw them in service as 60019 and 60022. Great memories!

A dream weekend for loco fans at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire during April, 2012 had some wonderful engines on display. This shows the A4 Pacifics 4464 (60019) "Bittern," 4468 (60022) "Mallard" and the A2 60532 "Blue Peter".

The A2 4-6-2 locomotive 60532 "Blue Peter" stands next to "Mallard" at Barrow Hill.

The D11 class 4-4-0 No.506 "Butler Henderson" was built for the Great Central Railway as a class 11F and was completed in December 1919 and named after a director of the railway.

This is a J17 0-6-0 number 8217. This Great Eastern Railway goods engine was designed by James Holden. She was built at the Stratford Works in 1905. In British Railway days she was numbered 65567.

A busy scene at Barrow Hill, Derbyshire, on April 12th, 2012 with the A1 “Tornado” being the main focus of attention here. Also in the picture is the D11 Great Central locomotive 4-4-0 No.506 “Butler Henderson” and the J17 0-6-0 locomotive 8217. “Green Arrow”, “Blue Peter”, “Mallard” and “Bittern” seen from the rear, are on the extreme left.

Express Passenger Locomotive 1902. 4-4-2 No 251 - LNER 3251. The Great Northern Railway (GNR) produced the first British 4-4-2 tender locomotive in 1898, in the form of No 990, Henry Oakley. In 1902 an experimental large boilered version with wide firebox, No 251, was produced at the Doncaster Works. It was the prototype of 90 such engines built until 1910.

This is the Gresley class GNR (Great Northern Railway) N2 0-6-2 tank engine 1744, which was built at the North British Locomotive works in 1921. The former British Railways number was 69523.

The K4 61994 "The Great Marquess" was a class of Gresley loco built for the steeply graded West Highland line to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig, the first appearing in 1937. 61994 - LNER 3442 - was the second in the class and built in Darlington.

This is the A4 Pacific 4-6-2 4468 (60022) Gresley designed "Mallard" at Shildon Railway Museum, County Durham in June 2010. "Mallard" is the holder of the official world speed record for steam locomotives reaching 126mph on July 3rd, 1938.

It might be obvious to see, when viewing this page, that I'm a big admirer of the A4 Pacifics. When they were in steam I saw them all - with 60021 Wild Swan being the last one heading northbound through the old Bradbury station near Sedgefield in County Durham. How many can you remember?

They were: 60001 Sir Ronald Matthews; 60002 Sir Murrough Wilson; 60003 Andrew K.McCosh; 60004 William Whitelaw; 60005 Sir Charles Newton; 60006 Sir Ralph Wedgwood; 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley; 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower; 60009 Union of South Africa; 60010 Dominion of Canada; 60011 Empire of India; 60012 Commonwealth of Australia; 60013 Dominion of New Zealand; 60014 Silver Link; 60015 Quicksilver; 60016 Silver King; 60017 Silver Fox; 60018 Sparrow Hawk; 60019 Bittern; 60020 Guillemot; 60021 Wild Swan; 60022 Mallard; 60023 Golden Eagle; 60024 Kingfisher; 60025 Falcon; 60026 Miles Beevor; 60027 Merlin; 60028 Walter K. Whigham; 60029 Woodcock; 60030 Golden Fleece; 60031 Golden Plover; 60032 Gannet; 60033 Seagull; 60034 Lord Faringdon.

Preserved A4 locomotives: 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley *, 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower, 60009 Union Of South Africa *, 60010 Dominion Of Canada, 60019 Bittern *, 60022 Mallard. The * indicates the engine is in steam.

I'm sure the steam fans will love this one as I did when I took it. It shows the Darlington built, Peppercorn Class A1 4-6-2 60163 "Tornado" and the A4 Pacific 4-6-2 4468 Gresley designed "Mallard" (60022) at Shildon Railway Museum, County Durham in June 2010.

Celebrations at old Hartlepool Station, in Northgate, on September 2nd, 1956. My thanks to Vic Smith who has been kind enough to provide me with the background relating to this photograph. He says: "Locomotive 61443 is taking water whilst working the Stephenson Locomotive Society & Manchester Locomotive Society’s “Tees-Tyne Railtour”. For more information be sure to visit the Six Bells Junction website. This is certainly a rare photograph of the station and comes from the collection of Hartlepool man Tony Pearson.

Four more excellent images of the "Tees-Tyne Rail Tour" from September 2nd, 1956. All photographs are © Brian Hilton and were supplied to us by Hartlepool man Ken Burke from his private collection. They show locomotive 61443 (4-6-0) which is a Class B16. Her LNER number was 1441, she was designed by Raven and built on April 30th, 1923 at the Darlington Works (NER/LNER/British Railways) shed number 50A. She was withdrawn from service on September 30th, 1961 and, sadly, cut up on November 30th, 1961.

Lots of activity going on here with the derailment of goods wagons near Newburn Bridge signal box in May 1963 with the Q6 63410 in attendance before tool vans arrive. Ray Noddings, who was working in West Hartlepool sheds at the time, jumped on his motorbike and headed home for his 35mm Franka camera and took this shot plus the two below.

Wagons all over the tracks with railway staff in attendance. Photographs © Ray Noddings and used with thanks. You can view the images above slightly larger by clicking on them.

The Standard Class 8F WD Austerity 2-8-0 90588 in West Hartlepool Sheds in Mainsforth Terrace, on July 6th, 1966. Photograph © David Quayle.

Can I bring to your attention a book I am involved with which may well be of interest to you as you are looking at this steam page. It is titled “Co.Durham’s Days of Steam” and is based in and around County Durham and the nearby counties. The book has already proved popular as it sold out when first published and has been re-printed because of huge demand. However, it so nice to have been involved with it from a photographic point of view. It's published by Stenlake and was written by Paul Chrystal and Stan Laundon and sells for £10.95p. It is an interesting miscellany of railway photographs - many of which are featured on this page. Being a steam engine buff it was a great pleasure to be involved with this book and I am more than pleased it has been re-printed for many more people to enjoy.

The two photographs above are from the collection of the late Harry Henderson and used with sincere thanks - courtesy of his brother, Bill. They are on the left, the A4 60023 “Golden Eagle” and the A3 60065 “Night of the Thistle” both leaving West Hartlepool.

My sincere thanks to Alexa Stott for her help and kindness shown to me during my visit to Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre in Derbyshire in April, 2012. Thanks, too, to Raymond Batchelor, Ben Brooksbank, Owen Corrigan, Colin & Kath Draper, Alan Grange, Bill Henderson, Dave McQuilling, Ray Noddings, Tony Pearson, David Quayle, Ray Soper and Rowland Taylor for the use of their images on this page.

Polite notice

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