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The BLS Mxs, Men & Women of Steel - Redcar British Steel ('temporary') Closure
Saturday 14th December 2019

Report by Robert Green


DMU 156486 forming 2D43, the 16.42 Saltburn to Bishop Auckland, ran into Redcar Central Up P1, some 4 minutes late, and so began one of the Society's more unusual events. Earlier, 19 members from near and far including Skye, Kent, Shropshire, Somerset, points in between, notably the South of France and even Redcar, had assembled on the platform where they were joined by 8 other prospective passengers/BLS members (clearly not 'normals'). Unfortunately, one member was unable to attend as he was unable to board his train due to overcrowding. Most were in possession of a £2.60 (£1.70 with Railcard) day return ticket and our members were invited to partake of the contents of a cask of real ale (details later), which was in the charge of our member and steward, Andrew Rawlins.


The morning of the last day, Redcar British Steel Down P2 (for Saltburn) with the remains of 'Steel House' behind and the bricked up subway that once led to it.
[© Liz Moralee 2019]


As the train pulled in, there was a friendly wave from the Conductor, Alison, with whom your reporter had made prior contact, and the 27 passengers boarded, together with the precious cask. This resulted in departure 6 minutes down! No one really noticed the scenic delights west of Redcar, and 3 minutes later the 27(+1) were deposited on the platform at Redcar British Steel (or British Steel Redcar - you pays your fare and you takes your choice). With another friendly wave from Alison, who was rostered for the return trip, we were left to the mercies of a keen northerly wind under a bright moon.


156486 at Redcar British Steel with the final arrival from Saltburn.
[© Tim Hall-Smith 2019]


As tourism itineraries often suggest, the next hour or so was 'at leisure' and most chose to scale the footbridge to the Down platform at once. Some took pictures, some explored (within the confines of the platforms and no further than the sign warning of 'Danger of Death' - BLN 1340.2759), while others opted for the shelter, where the 'Mike McCabe Memorial Chair' (BLNs 1335.2180 & 1334.2046 with pictures) was still in place, may it rest in peace for evermore...! There was much chatting, with reminiscences that were interesting from some of the eight whose relations in earlier days had worked at the site using the station (once with an hourly service; twice hourly in the peaks even), to/from work.

Formalities included setting up the cask (details later) - real ale via a hand pump - pull it yourself!; the welcome offering by Helen Cromarty of homemade mince pies; the passing of a charity collection bucket (for Redcar & Cleveland MIND, which supports those with any kind of mental distress); and assembly for a group photo. All this was overseen by the BSC Site Fire & Safety Officer who had been at the station for most of the day and a Northern 'Travel Safe Officer', Graham Kelsey (the '+1' off the train). He had volunteered for duty and declared himself fully satisfied with the arrangements and that he very much enjoyed the event. Later, seasonal music pervaded the darkness through a smart speaker which gave way to 'The Last Post' as our return train approached.


The last and first time that hand pumped real ale had been available at British Steel Redcar,
[© Robert Green 2019]




When was the last time so many passengers joined or left a train here?
[© Robert Green 2019]




The Society's well travelled hand pump equipment at Redcar British Steel.
[© Robert Green 2019]




The Mike McCabe Memorial Chair in the air conditioned waiting shelter.
[© Liz Moralee 2019]




Rush hour again at Redcar British Steel just like the old days, looking towards Saltburn. Unfortunately the First Class Lounge had already closed as it was a Saturday evening.
[© Stephen Ellis 2019]




View northeast with the disused blast furnace in the distance on the right.
[© Stephen Ellis 2019]


156451 was in charge of 2D56, the 17.11 Bishop Auckland to Saltburn due at 18.17 (but 3 minutes down) for the final call at the station. The friendly Alison shepherded the 28 and cask aboard (the Fire & Safety Office having his own transport on the Site), with some glad to be back in the warm. Four minutes later we were back at Redcar Central, where Society members said their goodbyes to each other; to the locals; and to the new found friends of Northern Rail - drivers Helen (out) and Paul (return), Graham who gave us every assistance including disposing of our rubbish, and the delightful Alison who looked after us so well. She took great pride in being Conductor on the last train to call at Redcar British Steel. In a final act of friendship, Andrew Rawlins was allowed to take his cask to Saltburn and back to avoid having to carry it over the bridge! Although the closure of RBS is officially 'temporary', [which appears to be the latest wheeze to avoid prolonged and expensive closure procedures - Ed.] the occasion represented the end of an era for Redcar, the town's second end of era in two days, having turned politically blue from red only the day before.

It should be noted positively that it was a most enjoyable and successful evening for all participants. For the record, £76.40 was raised for MIND and the real ale was Mallinson's of Huddersfield 4.2% ABV 'Temporary Closure'. The cask was sponsored by a group of seven Society Members with a special interest in such things; sincere thanks go to them all including barman, Andrew Rawlins, to Northern Rail's Pete Myers, Stakeholder Manager, and previously mentioned staff; to Mark Haggas for the issue of an e-ticket itinerary; and to Geoff Blyth for his hard work as organiser representing the Society.

http://bit.ly/2MM91fl has pictures and a video of the morning train by our member Tim Hall-Smith.

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