Great rare photo of self-acting incline taking full wagons to Silksworth while pulling empties back towards Hetton. Crossing point at half way distance in photo. Brake house was near the level crossing on Houghton to Seaham road.

East Herrington telephone exchange is visible on the right side of Durham Road, just beyond the crossroads. There is a telephone box outside.

Michael Taylor

The house visible on the left of the picture is "Wayside" 1 Steep Hill - now named Wayside Hall (!)

Michael Taylor

This is surely on Durham Road (opposite Skinner's old shop) with Careen Crescent visible alongside the garage on the right of the picture.

Michael Taylor

St Matthew's Church, Silksworth, Sunderland. Always an atmospheric spot.

I restored this photo, which was in a terrible condition. I'm so pleased that it came out well. I guess the classes were segregated in those days.

In reply to Coypu - and anyone else who is interested - you may freely use any of my pictures - I strongly believe that our historical heritage can never ever be owned by any person or institution. The practice of claiming copyright on our history or any part thereof, is reprehensible!

Dear Meg 18,

I am currently writing a small guidebook to lost railways of Durham, and while trawling the internet, came across your pictures of the Hetton Railway.

Might you be prepared to allow me to use or one two in my book please? All I have at the moment is the Hetton locomotive in the National railway Museum.


Any help you might be willing to give will be greatly appreciated.