Silksworth Colliery Railway

We have this Blip today because the TV in the kitchen, now 11 years old, finally popped it's clogs at 8am.  It's dwindled from over 40 channels down to 11 by the start of the year.  This morning only ITV remained on line and that's enough to make anyone go out to buy an alternative.  I rarely use this back road so took a pic of the old bridge, now part of a cycle path.

This railway bridge carried the Silksworth Colliery line down to Ryhope, joining the old Londonderry Railway just north of Seaham to run up to the coal staithes on the River Wear at Sunderland. Disappointing not to see a name on the bridge but as a colliery line it was no more than a means to an end. The Silksworth Colliery opened in 1869 and closed in 1971 and now houses a Tennis Arena, ski slope, fishing ponds and running tracks. 

This stretch of steep hill descends to the site of Tunstall racecourse (1835-1845) and rises to the top of Sunderland. It is called The Hope.