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The Bowes Railway linked Kibblesworth Colliery with Jarrow Staithes. Full sets of coal were hauled up the steep hills until they reached Springwell where they were set free to run down the incline towards the River Tyne and the colliers waiting to carry the coal to “foreign parts”.

Built in the 1820’s by the legendary Stephenson the unique feature of the line was the self-incline system where the full coal wagons were used to pull empty ones to the top of the hill before they were sent on to the colliery.

This film, one of Amber’s documents of working life in the North East, centres on the daily activity of Matty and Luke, two of the workers who help run the line.

An AMBER Production featuring
Route from Kibblesworth Colliery to the ships at the Jarrow Staithes and the men who worked the line.

Made with financial assistance from Northern Arts and and Tyne & Wear County Council.

• 1975
• Running time: 28 mins
• Colour
• Documentary