Nearing journey’s end, another load of magnesite from Thrislington passes the huge Steetley Magnesite Works at West Hartlepool on 27th September 1965, behind Q6 No 63394. These trains ran twice daily seven days a week to supply the crushed limestone, almost always with a Q6 in charge in the early 60s. The works remained an important source of local employment until its closure in 2005. Seven years later in July 2012 the massive chimney was brought down as the final act in the protracted demolition of the works.

© Photograph by and copyright of David P Williams / Rail-Online