Show on map The Skerne Bridge was designed by Ignatius Bonomi and was one of the worlds first railway bridges.
It now lies sadly neglected and hard to reach behind an industrial estate, although its still in use by the railway to this day.
For most of the 1990s it featured on the back of the £5 note with Locomotion No.1 passing over it at the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Show on map Joseph Pease (22 June 1799 – 8 February 1872) was heavily involved in the Stockton and Darlington Railway and local collieries, he was also the first Quaker MP in Britain in 1832
This statue was originally unveiled in 28 September 1875 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the sculptor was George Anderson Lawson and the foundry Cox and Sons.
The reliefs around the base of the represent key themes in Pease’s life.
Politics, this panel shows Pease with Lords John Russell and Palmerston on his entry into Parliament.
Abolition of slavery
Industry, a locomotive and colliery are shown
Education
In 1958 the statue was relocated as part of a development, then in 2007 the statue was restored and returned to its original location.
Show on map ‘Train’ by David Mach was unveiled by Lord Palumbo of Walbrook on 23rd June 1997
The sculpture is 23ft high by 130ft long and consists of 185,000 bricks, it represent an A4 class loco such as the Mallard
Show on map This curious metal frame was actually part of a miniature railway that ran in the park.
The track was raised up on concrete blocks, to allow your legs to dangle over the side, many of these are still in place.
I don’t know the closure date of this, but I’ve only been able to find a single photo of it in action in the 60s on the Communigate website, but there must be other family snaps out there somewhere.
This photo clearly shows the remaining frame which must have served to winch the train off the tracks and into the storage hut, its a real shame interesting things like this have been lost.
Show on map Calton station opened in 1836 on the Clarence Railway, after various mergers it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway and was renamed Redmarshall Station in 1923.
Two set of tracks existed here, with an early example of electrification taking place in 1915 for coal traffic on the line, two pair of lines passed under the bridge with the left-side being electrified, this portal is now filled and the track lifted.
Perhaps this old insulator still on the bridge could be part of that system ?
The LNER removed the electrification in 1935, however the guard rails on this side of the bridge still remain, giving extra protection that’s not included on the non-electric side.
The passenger station itself closed on 31st March 1952
Show on map The railway carriage arrived at Wynyard Woodland Park in 2004 to replace the schoolroom for the observatory that became the tea-rooms.
Work to restore it was done by Dr Ed Restall and Bob Mullen.
Show on map The station at Thorpe Thewles closed to passenger traffic on 2nd November 1931, the station remained open for goods but that too ended on 2nd April 1951. The line itself struggled on until 1968.
In May 1982 the line reopened as the Castle Eden Walkway although this area is now known as the Wynyard Woodland Park
There are several benches, including one dedicated to the station master Alfred Anderson, the station itself is a gift shop and tea room.
Show on map On either side of the Northern end of the demolished viaduct is a type 23 Pillbox.
The western one is on an accessible part of the walkway
The eastern example is in a private field, so no close-up.
Show on map The 1877/78 Thorpe Thewles viaduct was demolished spectacularly in 1979
This stone outside the village is part of the structure.
At the top of an embankment overlooking the village are a few scant remains of the viaduct
Show on map This unusual ‘coffee pot’ locomotive built by Head Wrightson of Thornaby dates from 1870
The loco spent most of its working life at Seaham Harbour where it was designated “16”
Coffee Pot No.33 from 1873 was also used at Seaham (where it was designated “17”) this locomotive can now be seen at Beamish
Also at Beamish is the more recently restored Coffee Pot No.1
Update : As of August 2012 the loco has been removed from the roundabout and relocated to Preston Park Museum. I will try to get some photos after they’ve given it a lick of paint perhaps ?