Crane locomotive at Doxford's shipyard, Sunderland, 1967

Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: 18 Apr 1967

The shipyard had several of these very unusual crane-fitted locomotives, used to move material around the site. This was the upper yard, connected to the main railway system, where steel sections could be transferred down to the construction slipways. This involved a zig-zag route down the steep side of the River Wear on gradients as steep as around 1 in 25. The visit was part of a weekend trip organised by the Liverpool University Public Transport Society to various collieries and other transport sites in the north east. No-one in the party was aware of these remarkable locomotives, but one was spotted from the other side of the river, and it was decided to make enquiries. As can be seen from the picture, we were made very welcome and able to take pictures in a variety of scenic locations. How many firms today would be willing to allow an unannounced party of students to make such a visit today? A further interesting feature of this view is that the bridge now spans the Tyne and Wear Metro line to South Hylton.

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