West Moor Camera Club members arrived early on Sunday 20th November on a crisp, clear morning at Tanfield Railway which dates back to 1725 and was originally built to transport coal from the collieries of County Durham to the Dunston Staithes on the River Tyne.
We spent a majority of the day at Marley Hill around the working engine shed, where we soaked up the atmosphere of a genuine working shed and we watched and photographed volunteers lovingly restoring two locomotives. Around the shed were numerous partly restored, dilapidated and fully working engines and carriages which the club had open access to and took full advantage of this by photographing every nut and bolt in the area.
After several hours of picture taking and exploring we met at the cafe at Andrews House which is in the peaceful surroundings of a typical ‘ye olde’ countryside station where you can purchase a mug of tea and a slice of cake but alas no macaroons. We took pictures of volunteers working on the lines and discussed our findings at length for the day and then made our way home.
This was a most wonderful outing and everybody enjoyed the day fully. Some day we may return and venture further to Causey Arch etc and to be perfectly honest I think we are all looking forward to that day.
‘How many train crew does it take to screw in a lightbulb?’
‘None, that’s the shop crews job….’