GC2B06C Rattler (Traditional Cache) in North East England, United Kingdom created by brandywine

This cache has been archived.

Dalesman:
This cache has been in need of care and maintenance for some time and as the owner has not responded to my note I am archiving it.

Guidelines:**You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to maintain proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable amount of time - normally a few weeks - in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing.**

If you wish to contact me about this cache please use my Email address below my signature and quote the GC number of the cache. Please note this system is not infallible and I may miss any such mail.

Many thanks,
DalesmanX - (Email address)

GC2B06C ▼

A cache by brandywine Message this owner

Hidden : 6/29/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A simple cache and dash.Free parking nearby.

The cache is a 25mm tube located on the line of a single track railway built to transport coal and limestone
Whitburn Coal Company sank a new pit on the coast and in 1878 was granted permission to build a line to transport coal from the pithead to the loading staithes on the Tyne.The Whitburn Coal Company went into liquidation in1891 and was acquired by the Harton Coal Company
As the mine expanded the company recruited more miners from South Shields and its surroundings. At this time no Public transport existed between the two so a motley collection of worn and mis-matched carriages was acquired to be hauled along with the coal wagons.The assembled steam hauled trains made so much noise on the move that they were given the nickname of”Marsden Rattler”.
Because of the lack of road transport it was eventually decided to offer fare paying passengers the chance to travel from Shields to Marsden Bay. In 1888 a halt was built at Marsden Cottage, this was a very basic structure, the smallest train station in Britain,only the length of one carriage as the paying public had the use of a “clean” carriage,not used by the miners in their dusty work clothes (Pit head baths had not appeared yet)
As demand increased and the output from the mine rose the train ran up to a dozen times a day with extra excursions at weekends.
The service ran until 1953 when the construction of the Coast Road and the appearance of regular bus services cut demand.
The line finally closed in 1968 following the closure of Whitburn pit but a final passenger run was made with a large turnout of passengers to say farewell to the old Rattler.
The line was torn up,two road bridges and a footbridge crossing the line demolished,the railbed was grassed over and the land reverted to the Local Authority.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Bss gur envyf!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)