Tyne Yard 2016

Tyne Yard, September 2016, and my first visit for many, many, years (even though I only live a few miles away) and the place looks a bit run-down. It seems as though it's only used nowadays for engineers trains for various Network Rail work sites in the region. Even in the late 1970s, when the hump yard was closed and freight was in decline, it was busier than this with several class 08s scurrying about and classes 31/37/40/46/47/56 around the 'day shed' and Deltics roaring past on the main. Wish I'd had a digital video camera in those days!

[@rog37685]

Awsome I ive passed the yard a lot an exciting yard we get wagons from Tyne yard to millerhill which is my local yard

[@daveyr1]

You're wrong about stopping short for the tail lamp.

[@ShildonSteam]

How so? The loco driver stopped short and waited for the shunter to remove the tail lamp (approx 3:22) before buffering up. When I was training to drive steam and diesels locos we were taught that the use of a red lamp on the back of a train was the guard telling you not to buffer up; conversely if there was no lamp the guard was giving implicit permisson to buffer up. Has this 'rule' changed on the 'big railway' recently - because it certainly seemed to apply in 2016 when I took the video.

[@daveyr1]

That was never the rule.
A tail lamp shows the end of the train.
We stop short to stop damage to buffers from collisions, to allow the groundstaff to prepare the couplings and pipes prior to buffering up. The Shunter or Guard should be at the side of any movement to guide the driver onto the train. Removing the tail lamp before the movement just makes it easier than trying to get it with the coupling and pipes in the way.

[@4472steven]

nice video is that man thick or what health and safety right out the window

[@petershields6066]

Yup, curse of modern 'man'. Thanks for the comment about the video.