The fourth episode of the third series of ‘Grundy Goes’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy about the building that people have constructed over the centuries to help themselves work, live and enjoy themselves. In this programme John travels the regions by train to explain how the Northeast gave the world railways and how it was local architects who designed and built the first railway-station and other railway...

The fourth episode of the third series of ‘Grundy Goes’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy about the building that people have constructed over the centuries to help themselves work, live and enjoy themselves. In this programme John travels the regions by train to explain how the Northeast gave the world railways and how it was local architects who designed and built the first railway-station and other railway structures. Over a montage of John Grundy wearing various costumes and maps of the region the opening credits. Title: Grundy Goes… By Rail As an Inter-City 125 passenger train speeds through Chathill railway station in Northumberland, presenter John Grundy appears on the platform to state that if you want to go back to the absolute beginning of the railways then you have to come to the Northeast. A second Inter-City speeds past in the opposite direction. Dressed as his childhood self, Little Johnny Grundy rushes to the railway station as a train spotter where on the platform another Inter-City train speeds past. In voiceover John has a discussion with his younger self about visiting the Northeast to see LNER Class A4 Mallard steam train. Archive film of the train with John describing why it was the most beautiful of engines are followed by clips of other steam trains such as the ‘Flying Scotsman’ and John explaining why he loved them all. He then explains that Little Johnny Grundy will be helping in this programme to explore the railway glories of the Northeast. Stepping of a Pacer train at Wylam in Northumberland, John explains that this the Tyne Valley Line to Carlisle is one of the oldest railway lines in the world. As the Pacer departs John gives a history of the line which opening in 1835. From Hagg Bank Bridge on the outskirts of Wylam another train speeds east on the line towards Newcastle with John explaining that it was this line that was the first in the world to use ‘standard gauge.’ As he crossing the footbridge away from the platform John says that the station itself, the first to be built on the line, is believed to be the oldest passenger station in the world still in use. Over a montage of archive still he talks about how this ‘mini revolution’ in railway design known as ‘line-side style’ hasn’t changed, but no one knows who came up with it. Coming over the bridge John says that beyond the station you move out into the pre-history of railways. Over a montage of images showing wagonways built for Northeast collieries John talks about how these were some of the earliest railways in the world starting in the early 17th century. At an archaeological site at Lampton on the outskirts of Sunderland the remains of the only known surviving wooden wagonway. Over views of Wylam today John says how in the early 19th century it was a mining village inherited by Christopher Blackett. John provides details on the work done by Blackett to replace wooden wagonways with iron and employing a team of engineers, including Wylam Colliery Manager William Hedley and Timothy Hackworth, to experiment with steam locomotion. Walks across the lawns of Wylam Hall John points out that it was here that a test track was laid for those early experiments leading to the development of the first economically successful and practical locomotive in the world known as Puffing Billing in 1813-14 and later Wylam Dilly in around 1815. Views of the forge or blacksmith shop, the only surviving part of the colliery and where both engines were built. Wylam’s final contribution to the railway age is the 18th century cottage where George Stephenson, the most famous railway engineer in the world, was born in 1781. Over footage of a replica of Stephenson’s Rocket travelling along a track, John explains that George was the creator of the first two proper commercial railway systems in the world. At North Road Station Museum in Darlington John provides details of the ‘ultimate granddaddy of the transport revolution’ with the Stockton and Darlington railway which opened 1825. Inside over views of Locomotion No.1 on display John talks about why it is such a significant railway engine and a ‘milestone object.’ Little Johnny Grundy sits in what appears at first to be an old railway carriage. However, as he gets up it is revealed to be a display at North Road Station Museum. Looking into the old Parcel Office he is told to go away by John now dressed as a Station Master. Coming to stand beside one of the earliest railway carriages in the work John points out it is basically a stagecoach on rails. A painting of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway with the train crossing over the world oldest architect designed railway bridge, the Skerne Bridge designed by Ignatius Bonomi changes to a set of the original stone block sleepers that sit outside the museum. At nearby Stockton-on-Tees the exterior of the oldest railway ticket office in the world changes to views of the oldest surviving railway works in existence at Shildon in County Durham. Nearby the home of Timothy Hackworth resident engineer of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Inside the Soho Engine Shed built next door to his house a replica of Hackworth’s San Pareil steam locomotive and Little Johnny Grundy looking around the museum. Knocking something over he runs away as someone shouts after him. Title: End of Part One Grundy Goes…. Part Two A montage of some of the locations visited so far in the programme with John pointing out that there has been a lack of architecture. Montages follow of Monkwearmouth Station at Sunderland elegantly built in the Greek style and smaller Chathill station built in the Tudor style on the mainline between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed both described by John as examples of the great railway frenzy, a way for railway companies to express pride and identity in different architectural styles. Coming out of the waiting shed on the platform at Chathill, John states how this new form of architecture was designed for a quite new form of travel. As he finishes a Great North East Railway (GNER) Class 91 passenger train speeds past. At Tynemouth station visitors looking over the stalls at the weekly flea market. Standing beside a tiled map of the region’s railways, John talks about the railway explosion that took place in the Northeast and about how over the second half of the 19th centuries railway companies became really ambitious with their station architecture. Over a montage Tynemouth station John talks both about its history and why it is the most splendidly exuberant small-town stations in England, a vision of iron and glass. As a GNER Class 91 passenger train heads north out of Newcastle Central Station, John explains the effect of Victorian engineers’ exuberance and energy was often to rip ruthlessly through old towns. From the Blackgate next to Newcastle’s Castle Keep another train passes over the railway bridge which cuts through the middle of the Medieval castle. Over a montage of other railway bridges or viaducts in the region John believes the Northeast would be a much poorer place if it weren’t for these arrogant Victorian railway builders. Views of the main railway arch crossing Dean Street in Newcastle, at the time the highest and widest in the world. This is followed by the High-Level Bridge designed by George Stephenson’s son Robert in 1845 and described by John as the greatest example of an engineering brilliance which was exploding throughout the railway network of the Victorian Northeast. An aerial of another GNER Class 91 passenger train travelling over the Royal Border Bridge at Bewick-upon-Tweed. Returning to Wylam railway station and over a views of the nearby signal box John talks about how this building is also an excellent example of the Victorians light-touch and inventive excitement that is found everywhere in the railway system. Standing on the platform at Hexham station and with the train to Newcastle pulling in John talks about how the station is alive. Over a views around the station, including the station master’s office, he explains how nothing has essentially changed. Now dressed again as the Station Master John stands by an station masters office door changing to him coming to stand beside the now defunct water tower, one of the finest in existence. Over a montage of the good yard and railway sheds the John as the Station Master talks about what has changed and been lost. Standing beside the A696 at Knowsesgate on the road north to Otterburn in Northumberland, John explains that although many lines closed more than 50 years ago, their existence never entirely disappears. Over views around Knowsesgate examples are given to indicate that it was once a railway village such as gateposts made from old railway sleepers taken from the now long-gone Border Counties Railway. Mixed in with clips from an archive film showing a steam train travelling along the line into Scotland various architectural features still seen today such as a railway bridge and an embankment. At West Woodburn the old railway station is converted into a house, but with some of its original featured still visible. Inside the original ticket office window which opens to reveal Station Master John explaining the last train left thirty-four years previous. Standing beside a complete set of level crossing gates at Thorneyburn in Northumberland, John is pleasantly surprised at know much of the railway still exists. Although the railway tracks are gone the Crossing Keepers cottage and nearby linesman’s hut still stand. As the Station Master again, John approaches the crossing gate warning of oncoming trains before disappearing. Over the remains of a derelict station John believes that railways still have a relevance and that stations such as these can continue to have a useful life. Back at Tynemouth with visitors continuing to look around the flea market John states that if it wasn’t with the support of local pressure group like the Friends of Tynemouth Station, then it would have never been re-developed the way it has. About to step onto a metro train John states that an entirely new railway concept is now being developed in the Northeast, the Tyne and Wear Rapid Transit Metro System. Over views of the Byker Viaducts John also states that high-tech structures are also being made. Coming out of the Metro station onto the concourse at Newcastle Central Station he describes this station as a climax combining brilliant engineering and beautiful architecture. He talks about the curved wrought iron and glass roof designed by local architect John Dobson, the designs of which have been exported around the world. With passengers wandering around the station John talks about Central Station today and its modern amenities for late 20th century travellers such as the high-tech ticketing office. With scaffolding on part of the exterior roof John explains that £20 million is currently being spend on it restoration returning it to its former glory. Nearby an ordinary long ignored brick shed now in a derelict state which, in the 1820s, was George and Robert Stevenson’s locomotive works. John believes money should be spent here restoring this the world first purpose-built locomotion works. Coming along one of the platforms inside Central Station John believes that money should be spend on these important pieces of railway history as they represent one of the most important things that have ever happened in the region. Dressed again as Little Johnny Grundy watching a train depart the station, he concludes in voiceover that it was the Northeast who gave the world the railway. Credit: Written and Presented by John Grundy Photography Dave Dixon, Mike Parker Sound Paul Graham Electrician John Mason, Gordon Porteous Costume Cathy Beaney Graphics Alan Davidson Dubbing Mixer Charles Heath Editor Bernard Helm, Edmund Quigley Director / Producer Roger Burgess Title: © Tyne Tees Television 1999 End title: A Tyne Tees Television Production. © Tyne Tees Television MCMXCIX