Howay the lads

The north east was a closed book to me until 1966. I then went twice in two years with two different friends, in both cases staying for the February half-term weekend with their siblings, who were studying at Newcastle University.

Another similarity was that we saw quality live music both times, the Animals - no less - in 1966 and the Jeff Beck Group, with a young Rod Stewart guesting for a few numbers, in 1968.

On Central station in 1966, we noticed that a coach on an evening train had been reserved for Stoke City FC. The game had been won by the home team 3-1, so it would no doubt have been a miserable journey back to the Potteries for them. In 1968, we went one better and watched United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2-0, at St James’s Park. Newcastle’s attack was spear-headed by the Welsh international, Wyn Davies.

In 1966 we were just in time to see some elderly ex-LNER freight engines still moving. To seek them out, we went around Gateshead, Heaton - and more productively - Tyne Dock, Sunderland, North Blyth, South Blyth and West Hartlepool sheds. Where would we have been without Aidan Fuller’s Shed Directory?

By 1968, we had only diesels for company. I have no numbers recorded in note form, as I had begun my one-man “train spotters’ non-compliance” action against British Railway’s decision to end steam completely later that year. My mum was no doubt relieved when I stopped short of a dirty protest.

My campaign fell on deaf ears, as you may have noticed.

Type Two No. D5097 is on a freight working at Newcastle Central station on 26/2/66.

Worsdell Class J27 No. 65855 pulling a brake van past South Blyth sheds on 26/2/66.