Discovery of the Willington Waggonway built in 1785

[JenB]

Here are two links to the fascinating find of the original wooden timbers of the Willington Waggonway.
 
This brought coal down to the Tyne from the pits at Willington Quay and Bigges Main and was constructed in 1785.

It seems possible that many of the timbers used in its construction came from ships which had been wrecked in a huge storm the previous year.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-information-sheds-light-miraculous-14433768

http://blog.twmuseums.org.uk/the-willington-waggonway-research-programme/

[Gadget]

That's really interesting, Jennifer. Thanks for linking it. 

I'm not sure if I could get there on Friday but I see that they're hoping to do a reconstruction at Beamish.


Gadget

[Tickettyboo]

Very interesting Jen, thanks. A super glimpse into the past and I especially was interested in the info that the gauge used was the basis of the standard gauge for railways even now. Super stuff!

Though I had to smile at the picture of the horse drawn waggon on the waggonway, there must have been a fair bit of artistic licence used there as that horse and waggon looked extremely clean !

Boo

[Tickettyboo]

and totally extraneous to the report, I wonder how many children over the years (at least 4 generations of my family that I know of) have clapped along and sung:

Clap your hands for daddy,
Coming down the wagon way;
A pocket full of money,
And a cart load of hay.

:-)
Boo