Hownes Gill Railway Inclines (Consett)
Hownes Gill Incline 1 12/11/2021
Hownes Gill Incline 2 12/11/2021
Hownes Gill Incline 3 12/11/2021
Hownes Gill Incline 4 © DCC 12/11/2021
When the Stanhope and Tyne Railway opened in 1834, it used a pair of inclines to cross the deep valley. Later, in 1858, a viaduct (still standing) replaced the inclines. Railway wagons were lowered, one at a time, down an incline into the valley bottom. There, they were pushed sideways off the cradle that had carried them down, turned through a right-angle, pushed on a railway line across the valley floor, turned through a right angle again, pushed onto another cradle, and hauled via a second incline up the other side of the valley.
The inclines were both powered by a steam engine in the bottom of the valley, using ropes to haul the cradles. The system was a bottleneck, being able to carry only about 12 wagons per hour; hence its replacement by a viaduct.
The inclines were both powered by a steam engine in the bottom of the valley, using ropes to haul the cradles. The system was a bottleneck, being able to carry only about 12 wagons per hour; hence its replacement by a viaduct.
This was added to the Local List on 13th November 2023
D70472
13/11/2023
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.