Bowes Railway
26th January 2008
Bowes Railway was originally a colliery railway. It was built to carry coal mainly from pits in northwest Durham to the River Tyne at Jarrow.
The earliest section was designed by George Stephenson and opened on 17 January 1826, making it one of the world's first modern railways. It was 15 miles long when completed in 1855. Between 1968 and 1974, most of the line was closed.
The Black Fell bank head and Springwell bank head was acquired for preservation in 1976 by Tyne and Wear County Council.
From a location point of view this place had great potential. Stories of deaths and ghostly sightings and activity were abundant. When NGI and myself visited here with 18 guests, anything could have happened. And it did – just not for me.
Arrival
We arrived at 8.30pm. The wind was quite strong and it made the cold seem even colder. Before the night’s events commenced, the NGI team was given a tour of the site by John, an employee of the museum, to determine how to plan the night and be made aware of restrictions and the orientation of the buildings and locations we’d use.
The guests began to arrive around 9.30pm. Once everyone was accounted for, introductions were made and we determined which of the guests would work with the various NGI members. In total, four groups were created that consisted of an average two NGI team members and four guests. A second tour of the site introduced the guests to the various locations we’d cover during the investigation.
Once everyone was happy with the plans, the night started with a walk-a-round with guest Medium Eddie Nichol and his son Greig. We headed for the joinery to begin the evenings’ events.
Joinery 10.55 pm
In the Joinery was a mixture of machines and tools, all still in working order as John had mentioned earlier. A large yellow band saw dominated the room, behind which on the wall hung two sets of large cutting disks, one labeled sharp and the other blunt. Nervous laughter could be heard when I suggested a poltergeist playing Frisbee with these could do some serous damage.
We turned to go up the stairs. A small office that is situated to the right of the staircase had three coffins perched on top of its flat roof. These presumably are for those tragic ghost hunts that go terribly wrong! But, sadly, no. John explained that Bowes Railway holds Halloween events and they are used for that. Well that’s his explanation if you choose to believe it!
Once everyone was upstairs and waiting for something to occur, Eddie said that he sensed three spirits. One male spirit was frail and may have had chest/breathing problems and he was downstairs. The other two were upstairs and appeared to him as though one was a youthful male of around 21-25 years old and seemed full of excitement. The third spirit seemed mischievous but Eddie could not determine the sex – Eddie said he felt, “fuzziness in his head” when he tried to engage with it.
Work Shop 11.05 pm
We moved into the Work Shop next door. Heavy machinery lined both sides of the vast building. Some of these tools were over 100 years old. The smell of grease and oil hung heavy in the air. We walked past large drilling machines, lathes and grinders. They looked powerful and dangerous. The wind rattled the corrugated roof and my breath was now visible from the chilly air. I warned the guests to hold their breath before they took photos to avoid the classic ‘mist’ that could cloud their shot and later think they had a ghost!
Eddie began straight away and sensed another two spirits. One, according Eddie, was eager to tell his story and we may encounter activity from him during the night. Eddie added that this spirit, possibly called Harold, was a proud and caring man who liked to share his stories with anyone prepared to listen. But as we headed back down the shop, Eddie sensed that another spirit was not happy about something and it may be trying to disorientate the other spirit. The name Peter came to Eddie’s mind, as did David though he could not give any more detail on these two names. There did seem to be a change of atmosphere to the room as we walked through it – from calm and relaxed to ‘chilly’.
Train Shed 11.20pm
In the train shed were three old trains that almost ran the full length of the room. All could be driven from either end and all were painted white. Eddie said he sensed a 40ish year old man near one of the trains who appeared to have a harsh and hard appearance and he gave the impression that he’d been robbed of his life far too soon. His death was one where he knew he was dying from a head injury and felt regret and panic that he never got to show people who he really was.
Old NCB signs hung on the walls like memorials. The pits they once adorned now long lost to the developers of expensive housing estates.
I was intrigued that these long, skinny engines spent so much of their existence underground in miles of black tunnels filled with men trying to earn a decent wage. I felt quite sad to think that this industry has practically gone and the only ghosts here were the lost livelihoods of not just individuals but communities that grew up around the mines. To know that men had died, sometimes by these very engines, made it all the more poignant.
Blacksmiths 11.25 pm
This room was freezing. It is in here that ‘tubs’ (small coal carrying wagons) are still made and there are metal sheets and pieces stacked high up on shelves against one wall. The floor of the room is made from the bases of old tubs. There are a few anvils and a furnace – all well worn and blackened from regular use. Tools of all varieties litter the room and the smell of burnt coal lingers in the air from the cold, lifeless furnace. John had said earlier that he’d had most of his experiences in this room – from the smell of soap in a specific spot to seeing a full manifestation of a man in a boiler suit. This was one room he didn’t like being alone in the dark.
Eddie, however, said that this location had a nice feeling about it. He quickly added that this atmosphere was hiding something sinister and it wasn’t a true reflection of the room. There was something mischievous and disruptive standing back, Eddie continued, as the guests all looked about the room nervously. One of the guests admitted that she felt dizzy when she entered the room and Eddie suggested it could be due to the energy that the spirits in this location created, as there was at least six of them here now. He added that there is usually more. Eddie ended the walk-a-round tour with the possibility that a vortex was in the centre of this room and out of all of the locations we’d visited – this one was likely to be the most active. It was also the room that my group would investigate first and I hoped everything he’d said was true!
Base 11.30pm
At our designated base location in the main office we divided up into our respective groups. My group consisted of Wayne and myself with guests Vivienne, Vicky, Paula and Leigh.
It was decided that the locations we’d visit would last 45 minutes with a 10-minute break in between. Half way through the night we’d get together for a séance. Once the details were sorted out we headed off to our respective locations.
Blacksmiths (Tub Shop) 11.40 pm
Before we began any experiments I talked to the guests about the equipment we use and why we use it. I showed them the EMF meter and humidity and temperature reader and explained what the readings may indicate. Wayne placed a glowing plastic strip on an anvil as a trigger object. The lights were switched off and our first 45 minutes began.
We moved to the Ouija Board to see if we could get anything from it as on previous occasions it has never worked for me. On this occasion it did work and the following letters were spelled out when asked for a name of any spirit present. KDK EMOGO. The second attempt was no better with GWDWDJ.
A few suggestions were made to answer this seemingly random letter string.
1: The spirit is illiterate or doesn’t know how to use the board.
2: The spirit was messing about.
3: One or some of the group influenced it’s movement.
I tend to go with the third option but there is no way that can be proved and nor can the first two! Wayne then called out to ask for any spirits that may be present to affect one of us or move items. He asked for a tap or knock on specific items or to throw something – all to no avail.
I then called out and asked for something to happen. I wasn’t as polite as Wayne and I questioned the existence of spirits at all and mocked Eddie’s suggestion that they were mischievous and disruptive, as nothing had occurred to verify his claim. As expected, nothing happened so while Wayne and the guests continued to take photos and call out; I walked into the neighboring room. It was so dark in this room I had to use the infrared camcorder window to see where I was going.
Strangely, as I walked into the room, the sheer darkness felt as though it resisted me like a black, heavy veil. I no longer felt alone, almost as if something tried to prevent from me entering. I felt pleased at the change in atmosphere and hoped something would become of it. I called over to the group and said that we may have better luck in this room. But as they came into the room – the feeling left. Wayne said he felt as though it was back in the original room, somewhere in the corner.
What did we get for our time in here then?
- Viv felt pins and needles in her hands.
- Wayne felt pressure in his head.
- I sensed the change of atmosphere.
To end on an interesting note – I asked for anything in the room to influence the thermometer by raising it to 12 degrees – currently is said 9.6. Slowly but surely it crept up to 12 degrees though it took 5 minutes to do so.
Was it the wind outside warming up the air inside by blowing under the loose fitting doors? Was it because I was holding the device? Or was it something else, something paranormal? Hmmm.
Time was up so we headed back to base for a hot chocolate and a warm up.
Loco Shed (Engine Shed) 12.50 am
The loco shed was interesting in that it had trains from various mines, some of which had witnessed death. One of the trains is believed to have killed a man as it coursed down the track.
Eddie and Greig joined Wayne, the group and myself on this occasion. Wayne began by calling out to any spirits who may have taken the time to be here on what was a cold and windy night.
Wayne said he had the name ‘Patrick’ in his mind. Eddie followed with the name, Colin. Wayne added that he felt pins and needles in his legs.
We wandered about in the dark, to look at the trains and take photos. Paula said that she felt drawn to a small room that housed a model railway – but we did not have access to this room.
Eddie said that he had the feeling of a weight pressing down on his shoulders. Earlier in the evening Eddie made a point of saying that spirits tend to reflect their emotions and feelings on to people in order to reveal how they feel or how they died. This information proved useful for Wayne as he sensed pain in the back of his head when he sat in the driver’s seat on one of the trains. Wayne described it as a blow to the head as if the train itself caused this sensation – was this the train that killed the minor? Eddie suggested that this man sensed his impending death but had not been aware of the train that ran into him. Wayne added that this man was called ‘Colin’ and that he now had pain in his chest.
Wayne then used his pendulum to try and communicate with ‘Colin’. Apparently Colin had unfinished business and was frustrated that he could not complete it before he died. When Wayne tried to determine what this was, he had difficulty in finalizing an answer. Eddie felt it was sport related.
What did the loco shed give us?
- Wayne got the name Patrick, had pins and needles and chest pain.
- He also felt pain in the back of his head.
- Eddie got the name Colin.
- Paula was drawn to the model train room.
- I got colder and more frustrated.
That was location number two done. I felt that so far nothing had happened that could be considered paranormal other that what other group members experienced for themselves.
We headed back to the base to discuss our next event.
Joinery Room upstairs. 2.30 am
We all got together to perform a séance. Eddie would conduct this while most of the group stood in a large circle. A few of us remained outside of the circle in order to photograph the event and to see if anything occurred while it took place.
After a little while Paula left the circle feeling unwell and dizzy. She felt that it was something to do with the séance. I called Eddie over to speak to her. He asked the spirit to leave Paula and to not affect her in this way. Paula said she began to feel better. Eddie then continued with the séance.
Over the next 30 minutes a number of people said they experienced things such as:
- A guest sensed a smiling face.
- Sue sensed an unshaven, dark haired man.
- A guest heard the name Tom.
- Two guests felt like they were swaying.
- Wayne had an image of things being loaded onto wagons.
- A guest had pins and needles.
- A guest felt dizzy and light headed.
- A guest sensed a young lady was present.
- The walkie talkie radio had a 30 second burst of white noise before going silent again.
The séance ended with mixed reactions from everyone. For me, all I can say is if anyone got anything from the séance then it was a personal experience unique to them. Throughout the performance I felt or sensed nothing and my photographs did not reveal anything either. It was time to begin our third location.
Main Work Shop (Fitting, Engineering and Blacksmiths Shop)
By now our group felt a little disappointed. This was exaggerated when another group said they’d experienced loads of activity in the Blacksmiths such as stone throwing and noises. But I suppose that is the luck of this type of interest. Vicky had left for home so now there was only five of us.
I hoped something would occur in the workshop. Earlier in the night I had sensed a change in the atmosphere. After Eddie said that the spirit in here was eager to tell his story I did hope something would happen. A car sped by outside, it’s engine reverberated loudly in the cavernous workshop then silence again until the next lash of wind licked the roof.
Wayne and I called out for a response or reaction from the spirit world that had so far avoided us so selfishly tonight. I asked the guests if they’d like to try the pendulums. Wayne and the three guests tried to get the pendulums to work. I explained about how pendulums need to be programmed by the user and all three guests tried this approach. Wayne had minor (no pun intended) success with his though nothing beneficial came through. The guests got nothing from their attempts.
Time crawled slowly on. We took photos and wandered about the room in anticipation of anything happening for us but we all felt the room was empty. We persevered the cold and listened to the wind for half an hour then decided to call an end to this location. A cup of tea was more appealing than waiting another 15 minutes. With this in mind, the group headed back to base.
I hung back to be alone in the large workshop. It was not too dark and I could see practically the whole length of the room. I breathed in the oily perfume of the lifeless and cold machinery. It reminded me of the old car scrap yards that I used to play in as a child. I willed and wished for something to happen. I took photos and video footage in the hope of any activity occurring. But it was a wasted five minutes. A generator hummed rhythmically in the dark nearby as I headed out of the workshop to join my group back at the base.
Joinery (Joiners Shop)
The final location of the night was the joinery. We’d been through here a number of times to reach other places. Now it was our turn to remain.
We started upstairs by taking photos of the empty room. I suggested we try the Ouija Board again. After the random smattering of letters from the previous attempt, I didn’t have much faith in anything testing the limits of our belief. We tried it regardless, in the name of research, and I was right. Nothing happened.
We tried calling out. We waited patiently and called again. I wandered about the room and stood in all four darkened corners. I’d heard earlier in the night that someone had sensed an entity in one of them. I sensed nothing and presumed that whatever was here had had enough of us invading its space and so left us to get on with it.
It seemed like there was no point to continue in this location. The group ‘spirit’ had lost its enthusiasm. We all went down stairs. Called out briefly then headed back to base. On route, for a bit of rebellious excitement, we all headed over to the out of bounds wagon shop but the cold wind and precarious, uneven, soft ground made the excursion less appealing. The group headed back while I took a few more photos.
The battery on the camera and camcorder was flashing low. This was my signal that the night was over and it was time to pack everything away. I sat alone in the base, my group’s guests had left for home and Wayne had joined another group. Ten minutes later and everyone else returned back to base full of joy and excitement as they relayed their paranormal events.
Conclusion
I may have missed out on the stone throwing and other activity experienced by the other groups, but it was still an enjoyable evening. To see the old trains and wagons from the coal mining days all around me, took me back to the days when I used to watch the large, noisy trains drag their wagons along the railway embankment, laden with coal, from the comfort of my parents’ sitting room window. All that remains of those train tracks and coal mine is a large housing estate!
As for paranormal activity, some might say my negative attitude may have prevented it from occurring. To this I can only say disappointment is hard to hide. I had such high hopes, right from the start, and as the night progressed, those hopes evaporated one by one. It will not stop me from pursuing my goal of finding or experiencing a life changing paranormal event it just means my wait will continue.
My mind is open and willing to accept paranormal activity but with the high winds and biting cold during this investigation, it was hard to rule out the influence that it may have had directly or indirectly on the locations we visited. So hopefully my next investigation will be more productive!
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