Banking a 9F on the Consett hoppers up to Medomsley. We are pretty sure this is D242 which was allocated to Gateshead from new in 1959 until 1967 although D257 is remembered as a particular favourite on this duty. Diesels were tried on the Consett trains quite early, firstly a Peak had a goand was quite a success but none were ever equipped with the necessary air pumps, perhaps there was insufficient room. This was followed by a pair of Claytons but these failed to stop the empties! Lastly a pair of Sulzer Type 2's (later class 24's) were tried and these were a great success and several went to York and possibly Derby for fitting of the necessary air pumps. Upon their withdrawl class 37s were used but these hoppers had been superceeded by then.