View NW, towards Blackill; Lanchester Valley line (Durham - Blackhill). Called Aldin Grange until 1/5/27, this station was closed entirely on 1/5/39 when the passenger service ceased, but goods continued and the line was not closed until 20/6/66.
Site of railway bridge looking towards what was once site of Station.
Interesting to see that on the left of the photo it shows clearly a conveyor head and the rail that shoots off to the left heading into the siding from the main lines.
ReplyDeleteTrying to figure the North west view from Bearpark.??
Is this when Bearpark was near Nevilles Cross and behind Stone bridge or is it later.?
The first Collier of Bearpark was behind Stone bridge according to earlier maps.
Dear Ron,
ReplyDeleteThe bridge was before Aldin Grange houses, and the station was on the left of the bridge if you were proceding towards Durham from Bearpark, well before the old and new bridges over the River Browney. I recall that the station was used on "Big Meeting" days for passenger traffic to and from Durham. I used to deliver newspapers to Aldin Grange area and recall it well. The siding went to the colliery where my grandfather worked.
Interesting photo and comment.
Kind regards to all at Ushaw Moor and Bearpark
Mike Copple
For more info on this station check out this LINK
ReplyDeleteIf you are wondering about my question of the first location of Bearpark, take a look at this old map showing broom and broompark and look at where bearpark is shown in 1850.??
ReplyDeletehttp://www.francisfrith.com/broompark/maps/
Clearly its the map that is wrong as Bearpark has never moved. The map says it shows Bearpark in 1895 whereas the pit was sunk in 1872. Looking at this map the printing of Bearpark, Broom and Shottles appear to be a recent overprint on a genuinely old map.
ReplyDeleteThis land was part of Bearpark parish, and appears as such on a number of old maps.
ReplyDeleteHi Ron, I am 67 years of age and born at Ushaw Moor colliery, Bearpark has a long history associated with quite a historic building and as far as I know has never been a part of Langley Moor or the Merryoaks estate of Durham which is suggested on this map. If you are right then I am wrong. - would love to hear from others. P.S. If you can show the old maps showing Bearpark in another location it would be very interesting. Peter Clarke
ReplyDeleteduartroc, Percy Clarke and Peter Clarke are one, its just how you sign in Cheers
ReplyDeleteI am 63 on 14th of March. I never learnt much about the history of the coal industry when i lived in Broompark. Bearpark was still operating when we left for Australia in January 1963. I have been saying i left in 1962 but my mother has since proven me wrong.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if they had street directorys back in the 60s or 70s.? If so, what was the name of the directory. I thought - Shottles UD shown on that map was the name of the map and the UD might stand for Urban Directory.
I think the cartographer must have tarried a while in the Dog and Gun
ReplyDeleteHi Ron, How are you hope you are well i was in the same class as you at Ushaw Moor all those years ago i seem to remember you as John Wighams sidekick.The map is wrong Bearpark evolved around where the pit shaft was sunk in 1872.
ReplyDeleteHi Robert, I some how missed this post. I do remember your name. Yes i did hang around with john Wigham.
ReplyDeletejust noticed i said i would be 63 on March 14 lol, should have been 64.
I am as well as can be expected but have had both shoulders operated on and one not 100% success so not working and looking forward to retirement now.
Hope you are also keeping well.
Hi Ron,
ReplyDeleteYes i'm fine thanks Ron i also have shoulder problems too but i put it down to old age 64 in April. Took early retirement a year ago i have never been so busy, all the best for your retirement Ron.