Exploring the lambton waggonway

The Lambton Waggonway or Newbottle Waggonway as it also appears to have been known was a waggonway that linked the coal fields of Durham with the River Wear at Lambton Staithes. It can trace its roots back to the early 1700s when a horse-drawn waggonway was constructed to link the mines around Fatfield with the River Wear at Cox Green. Sometime in the early 1800s a line was built between Burnmoor and Philadelphia. The latter became the engineering base of the Lambton system. Some of the original structures still stand to this day.

[@ronnieatkinson4712]

did 18 years at the workshops and being 4th generation still got a lot of memories of the place

[@peterbarella3655]

The rear of my house overlooks the site of the triangular junction where the signal box would have been. I've also walked the route from Houghton pit to Herrington pit and down Junction Bank as one of my regular walks taking a keen interest in the history of the Lambton system so it is nice to have a bit more information on the structures on route. Also the old bus depot that is now a tyre garage still has tram lines in the floor from it's days as the tram depot in the early 20th century.

[@raymondcowey1041]

Brilliant video, Lots of old memories.

[@danielbarton9291]

Fabulous video well done

[@jeffreyhodge5564]

Used to love looking over Wearmouth bridge and seeing the Staithes working and walking to school how the railway line went under Durham Road near the Barnes roundabout ,also the Lambton railway had running powers down to the staithes near Sunderland shed ,the line to Hartlepool ran over them just south of Sunderland inside the tunnel ,ps who remembers carriage sidings at Vilette road or the goods yard nd sidings on Newcastle road behind the then new Bowling Alley ,used to go down to Ryhope junction every evening and watch normally a Pacific come through from Gateshead and reverse down to One of the big mail order depots ,sometimes very long trains ,happy days,!

[@johnjephcote7636]

Yes, i remember how useful NCB Philadelphia was after the end of BR steam.

[@andrewf9041]

Many thanks!

[@PixPete]

Fascinated by all things Lambton. Do you know if these tunnels have been backfilled or do they still lead somewhere?

[@mattditchphotography5044]

The right hand (hetton) Tunnel comes out a short distance away near the King's arms pub. The other tunnel is filled in. But, would have came out behind b&q by the sub station

[@started22222]

I think the tunnel portal (in the wood yard near the pub) is actually the shunting tunnel Matt. The portal for the Hetton/Lambton link would have been to the right of it but is now covered over. *I reckon?

[@rbs9131]

Does anyone know what happened to the very old loco that stood on a plinth in Lambton engine works?

[@mattditchphotography5044]

It's at Locomotion inside one of the older buildings near Hackworths house

[@rbs9131]

@@mattditchphotography5044 Thank you for the information.

[@raymondcowey1041]

I worked in the electric shop at LEW when the loco was collected amd taken to Shildon. I believe a Mr Galloway was the manager at the time.

[@rbs9131]

Thank you for the information.