9th November 1963

R.C.T.S. & Stephenson Locomotive Society
The Wansbeck Wanderer

Locos Used 43129 & 67691
Stock Used load 6, at least 4x BR mark 1 corridor coaches

Route : 1Z02 throughout

Loco Route
43129 Newcastle Central - (via ECML) - Morpeth
43129 Morpeth - Meldon - Scotsgap - Woodburn - Reedsmouth
43129 Reedsmouth - Bellingham
43129 Bellingham - Reedsmouth
43129 Reedsmouth - Scotsgap
43129 Scotsgap - Rothbury
43129 Rothbury - Scotsgap - Morpeth
67691 Morpeth - (via ECML) - Newcastle Central

Note :
(1) This tour would be the final passenger train to visit the ex North British lines to Bellingham & Rothbury. Regular passenger service over the Morpeth - Reedsmouth - Rothbury lines had finished in September 1952, whilst the Bellingham line (part of the Riccarton Junction - Hexham route) saw service discontinued in October 1956. The departure from Rothbury was to the accompaniment of the local pipe band.
(2) Although named as the 'N.E.R. Rail Tour' on the ticket and some other sources, the tour brochure clearly and without doubt gave the tour name as 'The Wansbeck Wanderer'.

Sources : David Hills, Peter Darke, John Debens, Vic Smith & Ian Clark (SLS)

Photo Review


43129 seen here at Rothbury (photo: The John Debens Collection)


From Andrew Fairholms ticket collection.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Debens & Ian Clark (SLS))

M.C Location Booked Actual
0.00 Newcastle Central 09.12d 09.12
16.50 Morpeth 09.40 ~ 09.55 ?
27.64 Scotsgap 10/27 ?
38.02 Woodburn 11/00 ?
41.66 Reedsmouth 11.17 ~ 11.35 ?
43.45 Bellingham 11.45 ~ 11.57 ?
45.24 Reedsmouth 12.07 ~ 12.20 ?
49.08 Woodburn 12/37 ?
59.26 Scotsgap 13.10 ~ 13.30 ?
72.32 Rothbury 14.05 ~ 14.50 ??.?? ~ 15.15
85.38 Scotsgap 15/35 ?
96.52 Morpeth 16.00 ~ 16.16 ?
113.22 Newcastle Central 16.45a 17.04


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