By 1621, there were at least five railways on Tyneside from collieries at Benwell, Elswick, Whickham, Jesmond and Heaton and the volume of traffic carried by these lines far exceeded that carried by the Stockton and Darlington in its early days; as did the civil engineering, notably the size of the larger bridges and embankments.
This article examines the propaganda and publicity created by the North Eastern Railway company to celebrate earlier jubilees and examines the real truth behind the headlines.
Les Turnbull graduated in history at Durham University and worked as a schoolmaster, university lecturer and senior education adviser. Upon retirement he became a volunteer at NEIMME where now serves as a member of Council. Les has written several books on the history of mining and his particular interest, the early railways of the Great Northern Coalfield. He is frequently called upon to lecture both within the region and beyond.
