Walbottle Wagonway, Duke Pit Branch

A plan made for the Duke of Northumberland in 1767 details his coal interests in the Lordship of Newburn (NRO: Zan Bell M17/197/A plan 24) but predates the development of Walbottle Colliery and its characteristic branching waggonways running to Greenwich Moor and Black Callerton. However, exploitation of the area was imminent; to the north of Walbottle is written ‘Coal that may be won by a Winning to the North side of the Dyke’ and a pumping engine is already present in Black Callerton Grounds (This is Engine Pit No. 2, a little way to the south of Andrew Pit as shown on the first edition Ordnance Survey). It would seem very likely that the waggonway system was in place by the end of the decade. It is shown on maps by Gibson (1781) and Casson (1801). The pattern of 18th century waggonways which formed the system is best seen on the first edition Ordnance Survey.