Sunderland South Dock
 

All,

Being in the Wear area with family allowed me to visit the current Out Of Use Sunderland South Docks Branch, which runs from (I can't remember the name of it...) Junction, approx 3 minutes on the train heading towards Seaham from Sunderland into the South Docks.

Having walked the whole length of the line (apart from in the Docks) the line is in reasonable condition, with all track intact and, with some repair, reasonably useable.

My research, and information from family, has informed that the branch was used in the 80's and 90's by both Oil and Coal trains, with Classes 37 and 56 being primarily used.

There was also an engine shed there, with pictures proving this, and thus showing that the branch must have been well used.

What I am trying to find out is both what the services are that used it, and roughly when were the last services along the branch.

The last important bit of evidence I came across was a small EWS sign screwed into the trackbed about half way along, proving that the branch has been used after privatisation, but when and by what???

Here's some photos I have come across :-

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1980964

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1980429

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/2716699006/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/3518192265/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magility9/4362534953/

the other but of info I have found is on the South Dock homepage, showing a pair of Industrial Shunters on the Dock, which were nowhere to be seen, apart from a small 2 road shed locked up, could they be inside here...

http://www.portofsunderland.org.uk/rail_connection.php

Anyone information or reports from anyone???

If memory serves, even long after coal traffic ceased to be exported from Sunderland Docks, the extensive dock sidings were used to store stock.
Sunderland Port also had a small engine shed with a couple of 0-4-0 shunters.

i dont now much about this apart from being a child 0f about 7-8 in the back of a drack green daff (car) and some how ending up in the sunderland docks with huge blue locos going past not fun i can tell you at that age! i do now that hornby did not make a model of them as i had know idear what they where as all i new at that age is what hornby made so i would love to know if any on could telll me it must have been about 1977-79

Some interesting pictures there!!

Thanks for sharing the pictures of what once was! Great scenes

I only ever visited the BR shed once, and rmember it mainly for this...http://www.railwayforum.net/gallery/...&searchid=3889

Regards, 62440.

Not a pretty sight! It is always worst when a loss has occured.
Regards
Phil

The Real South Dock 1967
 

See my gallery pictures for shots in May 1967

Nice shots buddy.........:)