Daniel
Adamson
and William, his 3rd son, operated a modified stagecoach on
the
S&DR track. The original point of departure was near
the
Masons Arms, at New Shildon but when the track was extended to the
north-west through Old
Shildon and beyond, they built their famous Coachhouse and
Ticket
Office near the Grey Horse at Old Shildon.
Originally the track was 'single' with sidings at intervals of a quarter mile to allow for passing oncoming traffic.
This scene would have been at one of those sidings.
When competing traffic did meet head-on, arguments would break out between the drivers as to which of them should back-up.
This problem was resolved by installing posts mid-way between the sidings, and 'right of way' was
accorded to the driver 'first past the post'.
( Permission to use the above picture was granted by kind permission of John Moore. )
_______________________________
Originally the track was 'single' with sidings at intervals of a quarter mile to allow for passing oncoming traffic.
This scene would have been at one of those sidings.
When competing traffic did meet head-on, arguments would break out between the drivers as to which of them should back-up.
This problem was resolved by installing posts mid-way between the sidings, and 'right of way' was
accorded to the driver 'first past the post'.
( Permission to use the above picture was granted by kind permission of John Moore. )
_______________________________
The
following text extracted from the classic "History of the
Stockton and Darlington Railway" by J.S.Jeans (1875 p.85) gives an
insight into the operation of these primitive services :-
"Messrs Adamson's coach, travelling between Darlington and Shildon---length of stage, 8 miles; number of journeys per week, 12; total number of passengers per week, 74; average number of passengers per journey, 6."
The book which may still be found is highly recommended.
___________________________________________________
See also "Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive", by Robert Young, published by the Hackworth Society
"Messrs Adamson's coach, travelling between Darlington and Shildon---length of stage, 8 miles; number of journeys per week, 12; total number of passengers per week, 74; average number of passengers per journey, 6."
The book which may still be found is highly recommended.
___________________________________________________
See also "Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive", by Robert Young, published by the Hackworth Society