| Northumberland, steeped in ancient history and with a stunning coastal beauty, also has an industrial heritage. Thanks to George Stephenson, railways were born here, and although much has been written about the county's railways, one line the branch line to Amble has escaped detailed attention over the years. The fascination of the author with his home-town railway has, and many years of enjoyable research, culminated in the production of this book. Lying between Chevington and Acklington stations was Amble Junction, the beginning of the 5-mile branch line to the seaside town of Amble, where coal was exported from Warkworth Harbour. Although a mineral line in essence, it flirted with a passenger service for some 50 years before returning to its original purpose to serve the collieries in the area. Along the branch were two stations, the intermediate one at Broomhill and the terminus at Amble. As well as personal accounts and recollections, this book includes a selection of photographs showing the several types of steam locomotive to be found on the branch (NCB and British Railways), its buildings and staiths, and maps and track plans of the various locations along the route. It recalls with nostalgia the influence that coal and railways once had on the prosperity of this small coastal town. Contents:
- Introduction
- 1 Railway Days
- 2 Ambles Background
- 3 The Railway
- 4 Train Services
- 5 Locomotives
- 6 And Finally
- Appendix A Public and Working Timetables
- Appendix B Locomotives at Broomhill 1947 to 1967 (NCB Period)
- Appendix C Amble Railway Station Staff
- Appendix D Coal Shipments from Warkworth Harbour, 1909 to 1968 (1st July to 30th June)
Continent: Europe
Country: UK |
