Delivery of T.I.C. No.35

We’re excited to announce that 1958-built T.I.C. No.35 has returned to North Shields for the first time in over three decades today, thanks to our friends at Tanfield Railway. No.35 will be the star exhibit of our ‘North Shields by Rail’ Exhibition (1st-29th June) before appearing in our Photographic Evening (4th July) and Diesel Gala (5th & 6th July). 

The Tyne Improvement Commission (T.I.C.) owned a sprawling network of tracks covering Whitehill Point and the docks, fanning out across the land almost immediately south of our current Percy Main terminus. No.35 was one of five diesel electric locomotives purchased by the T.I.C. to replace the steam engines at Albert Edward Dock in North Shields (the area now covered by Royal Quays Marina).

No.35 being carefully driven onto the low loader at East Tanfield station.

Robert and Aaran helping to dissasemble the ramp.

Ready to depart for North Tyneside. This is No.35's first trip away from Tanfield in preservation!

Joe, Robert and Aaron headed back to NTSR to shunt the yard ready to unload No.35.

No.35 arrives at Middle Engine Lane.

Back in North Shields for the first time in over three decades!

After assembling the ramp, the loco is carefully driven off the lorry.

Tanfield's diesel locomotive foreman, Ben, driving No.35 down to Percy Main on a proving run.

Loco and van at Percy Main.

No.35 sat at the bottom of Percy Main headshunt, only yards away from the once-boundary with the T.I.C. owned tracks that led down to Whitehill Point and the docks. 

Driver's eye view.

Joe driving No.35 away from Percy Main.

Back at Middle Engine Lane after a successful proving run.

03078 fired up to move the various wagons stabled on the flat road over to the crossover...

...so that the parcel van can be extracted from the museum.

Local railway history recreated: two ex-North Shields T.I.C. railway vehicles reunited at NTSR.

No.35 then shunted T.I.C. bolster wagon No.21 into the museum, where the two will be on display throughout June in our 'North Shields by Rail' exhibition - our contribution to the 'North Shields 800' celebrations.

03078 at rest after shunting the stock back onto the flat road.