Neil
Western Thunderer
Marshmoor Colliery lies to the west of Wakefield, or at least its remains do. Nowadays brambles colonise what little is left of the decaying infrastructure, the colliery having closed in the aftermath of the miners strike. Apart from regraded tips and crumbling brickwork, only memories and photographs endure. Back in happier, more productive times the hard won coal was shipped out by rail, initially to Healey Mills yard, and thence onward for domestic use throughout the north east. Here, a train of empties arrive.
In the exchange sidings a Derby type two has dropped off wagons for some remedial p-way work; our train of empties will have to wait until it's scuttled away along the main.
Once clear our train of empties can draw forward close to the junction, the bake van being left on the main while the wagons are pushed back into the sidings.
Quickly coupling back up to the van, the consist heads off to Wakefield.
A rasping racket from the headshunt heralds the arrival of the colliery shunter. Buffering up, then shoving the empties, it departs towards the colliery passing behind the garage and workshop of Jones Motors.
Our last glimpse of the action is as the train bucks and rattles over the level crossing by the far end of the garage.
In the exchange sidings a Derby type two has dropped off wagons for some remedial p-way work; our train of empties will have to wait until it's scuttled away along the main.
Once clear our train of empties can draw forward close to the junction, the bake van being left on the main while the wagons are pushed back into the sidings.
Quickly coupling back up to the van, the consist heads off to Wakefield.
A rasping racket from the headshunt heralds the arrival of the colliery shunter. Buffering up, then shoving the empties, it departs towards the colliery passing behind the garage and workshop of Jones Motors.
Our last glimpse of the action is as the train bucks and rattles over the level crossing by the far end of the garage.
