Pockerley Waggonway

The waggonway, first appearing in Britain in about 1600, was a vital part of industry in the region right through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The majority of the coal mined in the north east was transported to the River Tyne and River Wear by waggonway, with over 2 million tons being moved in 1815 alone.

Before 1800, all waggonways were powered by horses, gravity, or both. Iron rails, stationary steam engines, and locomotives came into use after this, and the modern railway was born. We watched a replica of William Hedley's Puffing Billy riding up and down the waggonway.

We also explored the Great Shed which is based on railway pioneer Timothy Hackworth's erecting shop in Shildon, County Durham. It contains what is said to be George Stephenson's lathe which he used at Killingworth, as well as the engine used to drive machinery in the Stephenson's locomotive works in Newcastle.Read more