Looks to me as though the fireman walking up the bank has had enough, I could have put the caption ’Had Enough I Am Going Home’ but I am sure that is not the case it must have been a very trying time for all of them.  Please let us know if you have any recolection of this incident or know the names of any of the people involved.

(photographed by Ted Morgan Loaned by Eric Johnson)

The bus driver may well have been asking this question as the flames sweep across the road towards the bus.

(photographed by Ted Morgan loaned by Eric Johnson)

Okay own up were you one of the two boys watching the firemen?  I don’t think they would have been allowed  to be so close  today.

(photographed by Ted Morgan loaned by Eric Johnson)

This is the first of four photos taken by Ted Morgan and loaned to us by Eric Johnson, I think that if an incident like this happened today the traffic would be stopped, not left to go by as though nothing unusual was happening.  By the look of the car, a Morris Minor, I think ( but I know you people out there will correct me if I am wrong) the yearwould be  late 50’s early 60’s.  Do you remember this accident?

What a lovely picture, the farmer working hard, but what a view with the cliffs in the background, a perfect setting.

(Image courtesy of Eric Johnson)

Yes I know we have this one but I thought it is rather a different view of the church looking at it from the side rather than the front.

Do you remember when Harrop’s chemist looked like this?  Wish I weighed as much now as I did on those scales.

Thomas Harrop was born in 1914 and educated at Guisborough Grammar School, he served a five year apprentice at Prosser’s 10 Zetland Road, (do you remember that shop, where Breckon and Shaw’s is now?) He qualified in 1939, marrying in 1940 he opened the chemist’s in 1957. Sadly Tom passed away in 1980 the shop then was owned by Mr Ray Silver, who served the people of Loftus for many years..

Thank you Ray for all that information.

An exquisite hand-tinted image of the Parish Church at Loftus.  Very little parallax distortion – I wonder if an architectural camera was used to take this picture?  Anybody care to put a date on the image?  Thanks for the date Eric – 1900’ish could fit the bill, hand tinting was very popular then.

I wonder if these photographs were taken at the customer’s request or as an early advertisement? A good image of a two wheel cart – too heavy to be a trap do you think?
(image courtesy of Julie Morrison)

A three-quarter view of the same cart, showing us more of the surroundings this time, is this what they called a tumbril?(image courtesy of Julie Morrison)

Loftus Fire Station Crew, 1970?

Back Row: Keith Gallilee, Albert Legg, Alan Tose, ?? , Ivan Gallilee, Ken Verrill, John Kidson.

Front Row: Richard George, Bill Hicks, Brian Grey, Michael Kilvington.

Thanks to Tony and Michael Kilvington for names. Missing officer is now believed to be a visiting full time Fire Service officer.

(image courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

Lovely peaceful photograph with Geo. Skilbeck’s name in the corner, did he take the photo or just sell the postcard?  Wish I had a pound  for every time I had walked across that waterfall,  we never saw any danger.

What a lovely place to live shows Loftus to it’s best advantage, now I have been nosey, (well I am noted for it) and read the back of the card. This is what is written,

Thought you would like to have these views of Loftus, you will notice the Regal cinema where Race’s used to be.  We used to love Camel’s shop Mother and father live in Dalling’s house, my sister Nora married Harold Legg and lives above their shop in Zetland Road, all the best Marie.

There now you are as nosey as me and we know why the crosses are on the photo, thats my excuse and I am sticking to it.

Another well photographed location, maybe we already have this photo but once again there is quite a bit of information given here.

Ah a busy day in Loftus as the two vehicles go towards the Market Place, what date would you put to this photo?

I think we may have seen this photo before but not with all the information that is given here.  Correct me if I am wrong.

The opposite side of the road to the last picture but a lovely memory jogging one all the same, do you remember Prosser’s Chemist right in the corner, where Breckon and Shaw’s shop is now?

The caption says it all, except that next to Griffith’s shop was the Daisy Dairy high class grocer’s and provision merchant, yes I was one of those ’Dizzy Dairy’ girls many moons ago .

A nice black and white image, taken before the traffic lights were installed.(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

There’s a lot of windows in these two houses – whose were they and do they still exist? (you can tell I’m not from Loftus can you?)

The houses are on Micklow Lane, now surrounded by more recently built houses. Thanks to Bill for the information.

I want to know who the little girl is with the big hat!  An image before the iron horse this one, no metalled roads.  I assume this place no longer exists, as I can’t remember any structures like this on Mill Bank.

Very topical this image – can’t think why I didn’t put it on sooner!  The urchin has been joined by his two friends and a sledge!

Complete with the requisite street urchin!

Hmmm – I’m going to feel very silly with this one!  I have a feeling it is Loftus, but I can’t place the viewpoint, you’re going to have to help me out!

Told you I was going to feel silly!  Loftus Mill in the foreground and the Station Hotel in the middle background, the picture probably taken from Hall Grounds or Espiner’s Wood. (thanks guys – rodders)

There was me thinking we didn’t have a picture of Loftus Mill and there was one lurking in the cabinet all along!

I think this must be the oldest image we’ve got of this well shot scene, again sadly depleted by age.  Bromide prints deteriorate in sunlight, they store best in an envelope in a dark drawer – but then why take the picture in the first place!

I’m on safer ground here, the publisher thoughtfully named the image for me!  I bet this was quite a classy photograph when it was new, before age faded the image somewhat.

Loftus station site is featured, with Carnaby Willis Timber Merchants Saw Mill (Carnaby Willis became a local benefactor in later years). The shed roof featured carried the caption heading to this image for many years. Many thanks to Derick Pearson for the update. John

All the latest technology and plenty of help here to retrieve the Crow’s Fair runaway down Mill Bank Loftus in 1920, Duckhole mine  once again is in the distance.

An image of Loftus Railway Station, unfortunately a little age-bleached, but showing the beautiful Victorian canopy well.

(image courtesy of P. Dolling)

Prince Charles meeting Norman in Loftus Market Place, can anyone remember the date?

Alison says-  isn’t it from when the work replacing the old cinema with Lingberry Garth etc was completed? in which case, the plaque in the Market Place says March 1994.

Mr Alf Burnside with the chain of office, featured with previous Chairmen of Loftus Urban District Council, the date is possibly late 1974, but can anybody help?

Left to right: Austin Sanderson, Bill Scaife Robinson, Reg Richardson, Alf Burnside, Vince Teesdale, Norman Lantsbery, Tim Ellison (last Clerk to Loftus Urban District Council).

The gentleman to the farthest left is my grandfather Austin Sanderson (Micklow Lane, Loftus), involved in the UDC and Town Council for many years I believe.

Kind regards  Steve Jackson      (Son of Ros and John Jackson, ex Micklow Lane)

Back row: Tom Smith, Dick Grant, Lily Hodgman, Henry (Harry) Cullingworth, Philip Brown, Mr Ranson (Borough Engineer), Tim Ellison (Clerk), Frank Dixon (Architect), Ben Scott, Austin Sanderson, Mike Hodgson.

Front row: Mary Bielby, Mike Delaney, Vince Teesdale, Alf Burnside (Chairman),  Norman Lantsbery, Richard Aitken.

Thanks for those first names Alison – now can someone tell the date please – rodders.

The beautiful rood screen at St. Leonards Parish Church.

(image courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

An early photoraph of East Crescent – Cromwell House - 1 East Crescent is the name of the first house in the left photograph and for a long time was home to the Lindsey family, Joe, Harold and Bernard the builders and their parents. The house got the name because Oliver Cromwell was suppose to have stopped at the Arlington Inn next to the house, when it was an old coaching inn, the picture on the Arlington sign is that of Cromwell (It is an early 18th Century dwelling which was once used by Roman Catholics as a secret place of worship, when their religion was proscribed, perhaps as Cromwell was the antithesis of Roman Catholics his name was used to describe a safe house?  It once contained stained glass from Handale Priory and still includes stone taken from there (from Loftus Town Trail).

Who lived in the other house?

(image courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

(thanks Joan)

What a different view of the site we now can view daily? Charlie Stokoe for many years occupied the garage and as well as petrol sales, he was an agent for Saab cars!

This garage was one of two on the main street of Loftus, the other Fletcher’s vanished into the valley in a landslip some years ago.

Is there any more information and photographs out there? John

A postcard of Liverton Road, Loftus, complete with ubiquitous urchin!
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

This must be the only image in the series that we don’t have.
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

Another postcard of Hall Lodge and the Town Hall taken from the usual vantage point.
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

We haven’t got an image of Loftus Mill (as far as I know), so this one is very welcome!
Photographer: John Thomas Ross

(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

John Sanderson was Miller of Lofthouse Mill in 1871 census. He married Mary Welford.

Once again thanks to Ann Wilkinson for the information.

A very popular place to photograph, West Road again with the Congregational Chapel in the centre of the picture.  Pretty much contemporary with the previous post.

West Road again, showing the Congregational Chapel in the middle distance.  Plenty of cart tracks in the dirt road!

A good image of these upper class terraced houses (fancy facing bricks) with the usual inquisitive urchins posing for the photographer.

What would have been a good image of Zetland Road if age and sunlight hadn’t attacked the photographic emulsion.

No tarmacadam on the road and the style of clothing suggests the turn of the 20th Century.

I’d like to think that this is the remains of the bus we’ve seen hanging backwards over the parapet in previous posts – I certainly hope so for the passengers and driver’s sake!

I’ve a feeling we’ve seen this one before, but I’ve left it in anyway.  My wife’s grandparents lived on this road at about this time.

So says the caption on this image – I think the building, constructed in 1868,  is much too grand for staff.  Come on Loftus people – what was it used for? (ignore the modern television aerials)

(thanks for the date Eric – rodders)

It just goes to show that even the professionals can make a gaffe!  If you’re going to take a picture of a building then don’t take a picture of a socking great tree with the building behind it!

I love it when somebody has done all the hard work!  Beautiful freestone houses.

Who was Arthur?

The caption says ”Old Congregational Church, Loftus”, the plaque between the windows says ”Ebenezer Chapel”, so they were right.  Now refurbished as a private property and currently up for sale, this fine old building looks as austere now as it did then.

The obligatory group of onlookers makes this picture, don’t you think?

Can anybody explain why it looks like a building of two halves, with each half a mirror image of the other?

What a lovely photograph – taken in natural light – clearly showing the clerks busy at work.  Notice the assay scales on the front counter, the pens in their inkwells and what looks like the only light source in the building – no wonder banks always closed at 3.00 pm!

No bullet-proof glass in those days!

One of a series of photographs taken from Loftus Station, looking over the Station Yard.  This one taken in Winter.

Yet another image of Loftus Wool Fair – can’t tell if it’s the same year as the previous images, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.

Another view of the same fair – this time with the obligatory urchin posing in the shot.

Once an integral part of community life in Loftus (and under different names every rural village in England).  This would have been – as well as the place to sell your wool – one of the hiring fairs which shaped a young man’s life for the next 12 months.

Now, apart from a brief revival, extinct, unfortunately.

The text with the image says it all.  A beautiful building destroyed – there is one consolation, it could have hit any of the surrounding dwelling places…with probably more disastrous consequences!

Doesn’t look real  does it?  The train going over Loftus viaduct is dumping shale from the mines to convert the viaduct into an embankment.  The viaduct was seriously weakened by undermining from the ironstone mines, so these drastic measures were taken to fix the problem.

Remembrance Day at Loftus War Memorial.

I wouldn’t try standing around in Zetland Road like this today. I wonder  – are the men selling the horse?

A horse and cart and a cyclist in Station Road, it must have been busy day.  A lovely photo showing the Congregational Church and Westfield Terrace in the background.

Another street that hasn’t changed much over the years, although I don’t think so many people would congregate now if anyone came with a camera.

Here we are again, in the Market Place, but what date? The iron railings are still in place so is it pre 1940? HELP

Once again, a rather grainy photo – but one that was the end of an era, as it shows the workmen dismantling the railway.

Doctor Beeching is frequently blamed for closing many railways which he didn’t. The Loftus to Whitby Railway closed in May 1958, and Loftus Station closed to passengers in 1960 although goods deliveries continued until 1963. Although the caption is correct these closures were in place before Beeching presented his Report

Once again it’s Thank you Simon for putting me right.

Is there any other Market Place so well photographed?  Not a very good photo but it does show the Market Place well with some traffic. the caption says 1950 so I am not going to argue.

Lovely clear shot of Loftus Station, the bank on the left would have taken us to Liverton Mines, clearly visible on the hill.

Must have been a very still day when this train pulled into the station as the smoke is going straight up. How I would love to be on that steam train now on the way to Whitby.

Lovely view of Zetland Road with the shops and lots of traffic here today, maybe the weekend.  What date do you think it would be, about the 1950’s?

Lots of bystanders, I bet there is plenty of advice flying around as how to get the bus back onto the road but no one seems to be helping.

Yes I know we have a photo like this but I think this is a clearer picture, it must have been a beautiful valley before it was filled in.

This must be one of our earliest photos of Mill Bank (correct me if I am wrong) but it is the only one I have seen of the bank with horses and carts going up it.  Looking closely the  road doesn’t seem to be made up, is it  Duck Hole pit  that can be seen on the left and through the haze top right Mount Pleasant?  What are the huts in the field, can anyone tell us?

It’s thanks to Norman Patton Jnr. for this photograph of his parents’ wedding taken outside the Weslyan Chapel, Loftus in 1938.
The bride was Elizabeth Hicks from East Loftus, her parents and two sisters are also in the photo. The groom, from Brickyard, Mr Norman Patton Snr.  is accompanied by his parents and his brother Alan. This is the only photograph we have of a ceremony outside or inside the chapel, unless anyone out there can let us have any more.

Another from a series of photographs taken from the same vantage point.  This image looks across the goods yard towards Loftus.

A different and more modern view of West Road, there is now a proper road although not very busy.

Looking down the bank from Carlin How, this is before the bank was altered it was a tight corner under that bridge, we can see where the railway went over and the bank going up to Loftus.  When was the bank altered?

What better way to tell your parents about the place you lived in when you were in Service.  In the days before digital cameras and camera ’phones, when the post cost a penny for next day delivery.

The first photo I have seen of Duncan Place, it hasn’t changed much although the gates at yon end have gone now and I can’t see if the school was there on the left hand side, there is a wall there as there was when I went to school,so I will presume that the school was there.

The end of Loftus High Street looking towards the Market Place, we can see the shops; here there was a small general dealers, Mr Robinson’s bike and I think electrical shop, then came Finlays sweet shop.  Can we date it by the pram?

Eric says ”the first shop has the name S. Jackson on the sign. Kelly’s Directory of the North Riding for 1905, states ’Jackson, Sarah (Mrs), shopkeeper, 43 High Street Loftus”. (so we know that it could be 1905 – rodders)

The games room in Loftus Police Station – this must have been an official function, can anyone identify the group or the event?

The gentleman with the beard at the rear of the group looks suspiciously like Neil Empson.

L to R: Bert Davey, PC Frank Blacker, PC Jimmy Agar, PC Bill Hutchinson, PC Peter Coser, Maurice Stephenson, Neil Empson(?), ??, Harold Norminton, PC Alf Souter, PC ? Collis, Insp. Cullingworth.

(thanks Eric and Ken Gillance – John)

Taken from the west we see an unmade West Road and to the right there are no houses, when were they built?

All dressed up and posing for  photograph are the lady and gentleman in the photo,  does anyone know who they are?  Underneath the gas light not Lili Marlene but a policeman, the horse patiently waiting for it’s owner, the road in this picture looks as though it is not yet tarmaced.  Lovely and peaceful wish I was there.

Now a photo I can relate to, the cinema is here, Covell the butchers and the bus and car I can remember too can you?

the bus looks like Kelly Watsons Bedford bus, and the van I think is a Hillman “Husky” van, with Covells delivery bicycle in front of it.

Thanks for that Eric, hmm I remeber Kelly Watson’s buses with the wooden seats, Ohhhh were they uncomfortable?  You didn’t want  to be travelling far on those.

Now we can see Arbroath Hose as a three storey building on the left of the photo, it looks as though the road has been made up and I love the car in the picture, could this be the 1930’s?

Yes it’s the Market Place again, but what looks to me a very old picture, in the foreground the fence is wooden and not iron as it was later.  The Golden Lion is there but not the Regal Cinema, through the haze we can see the Town Hall.   Where Barclay’s Bank is now must hve been a shop as if you look very closely( actually I had a magnifying glass)  the words on the window read Fry’s Chocolate, whose shop was it?   Now the strangest thing to me is where Arbroath House was, which is now the dentist, in this picture it is a two storey residence.  But today and for as long as I can remember, it has been a three storey house.  Does anyone know when it was altered or what date this photo would be?

Here we are at the Market Place again, it looks as though what was  Dodds or Mackenzies shop is now the council offices, moving on from them is the chemist, the post office, the bank and then just in the photo is Hintons.  It hasn’t changed much over the years, the car in the picture makes me think the early 50’s.  Do you agree?

A rather big gathering on Arlington Street and the people all look to be dressed in their best could it be  a Sunday, have they been or just coming home from church?

A very busy day on Mill Bank – two buses!, a lovely view of Kilton Beck and Kilton Mill, with Duck Hole pit in the background to the left.

A bus half way up the bank and the entrance to Glover’s Path on the right, a pile of logs in the field (are they pit props?).  On the skyline on the left you can just make out St Hilda’s Terrace.

This looks a pretty similar photograph to all the others but if you look at the name above the shop in the foreground it is not Dodds as we have usuall y seen, but Mackenzie Bros. Now were they there before Dodds or after?  Once again we need your help.

Don’t think it’s fog or a fire I think it’s a fault in the photograph, but once again everyone stops for the photographer.  We do have a man in uniform, a policeman, don’t think he will be directing traffic as there is only one horse and cart in the scene, the road looks pretty dire with the pools of water, maybe it hasn’t been tarmaced yet.  What do you think?

Loftus again looking east from the Market place, doesn’t look very busy, we can see that the Wesleyan chapel has gone and the car makes me think of the 50’s.  Am I right? do let me know.

Haugh bridge I have been told is the name of this bridge but I am sure many of you like me will know it as Dam End and the entrance to Espiner’s woods, now named Hancock’s woods.  The men on the bridge seem to be deep in conversation probably putting the world to rights.

A quiet sunny day in Loftus, the awnings are down to protect the shop windows from the sun.  Not a lot of people out shopping and not much traffic.

The caption says ”Cleveland Train Service, Loftus and Skinningrove Motor Express”.

I think this is an image of the bus service laid on by the North Eastern Railway when Kilton viaduct was being converted to an embankment.  It shows an open bus outside Loftus Station.

The sun streams through the trees but we can still see the bridge at the entrance to the woods with the stream running under it.

The caption says Loftus Woods so that is where it must be, but where in the woods?  It looks more like an atomic landscape to me, but the reflections in the water are lovely.

The posers are out in force again,  the photo shows Arlington Street and the entrance to St Hilda’s Place, these must be some of the older houses of Loftus.

Looks as though most of the residents have come to have their photo taken as the man with the camera came to West Road in Loftus, we can just make out the Town Hall in the background.

A busy day on Arlington Street even though the snow is on the ground, there are two horses and carts.  The shop in the corner was owned by Tommy Wren, a dark musty kind of shop that sold everything or so it seemed when I was young.  A lovely gas light on the left hand side and no I don’t remember them.

A  different photo of the Market Place, once again we can see the Westminster Bank, next to it is Hintons, and then Pullars, who were Pullars and what did they sell?  Looking at the way the men are dressed and the car makes me think that this photo was taken in the 1950’s, do you agree?

Westfield Terrace as I have never seen it before, with gardens where Coronation Park is now.

rodders can you recheck, this is springhead terrace, top house was known as the “belgians house.

Thanks for that Eric I thought it wasn’t Westfield Terrace, but couldn’t decide where it was, but the gardens I thought were on too much of a slope for it to be Coronation Park.

We have been here many times but this is the first photograph I have seen with some market stalls, wonder what they were selling?

Arlington Street in winter sunshine, it shows clearly the two chapels the Methodist on the left and the Weslyan on the hill.

Well what a surprise! Loftus market place, this one shows the bank off well and I think that past the awning would be the Angel Inn, with the presbytery in the background.

Here we are in Loftus Market Place yet again, the awnings are out so we guess it must be a nice sunny day.  Dodds shop is in the foreground with Slater’s chemist next to it, the post office would be next and then the National Westminster Bank.

A view looking towards the Market Place from Dam End, the shop on the left used to be Finlay’s sweet shop, the first shop was a general dealer’s then a bicycle shop that used to be owned by Robinson’s.  The gap in the wall on the right hand side, a horse trough that was fed by a natural spring.

A good shot of the  Golden Lion Hotel and the Regal Cinema and we can also see the Barclay’s bank, quite a few pedestrians about but not much traffic.  Anyone know the date of the photo?

Looks like a carefully posed photograph (except for the young boy on the left hand side who has just managed to get into the photo).  Legg Bros.  If I remember rightly (and if I am wrong I hope someone will tell me) used to be where Harrop’s chemist is now.  One side for ladies wear, the other side men’s  and never the two shall meet.  Mr Legg also used to travel around to the farms in the area to sell his wares.

Another shot of Zetland Road, quite a few people out shopping on what looks to be a lovely sunny day.  Loftus used to be a very busy shopping place for people all around the area.

This photo shows memorial stone masons on the right hand side, with the shops lining each side of the road.  The Congregational church very prominent in the background.

Not as we know the post office today, at this time the post office stood quite a way back from the road, where the cafe stands now, opposite the Town Hall.  So by photographs we know that the post office has been in at least three different locations in Loftus.

Lots of people gathered at the memorial, people looking out of their bedroom windows, new wreaths laid. Could it be remembrance day?  Can anyone help us date it?

Light in the camera or a sunbeam rather spoils this photo, but we can still see the war memorial and the lions head pouring out water, with some of the older houses of Loftus in the background.

A young gentleman poses for the camera on Westfield Terrace, could it be before 1940 as the iron railings are still there?  As the older ones amongst us know the iron railings were all taken during the war.

A quiet scene on Station Road, Station Hotel in the background, two young boys talking – maybe about what mischief they can get up to later.  The boy on the left has a large basket, probably a delivery boy, now I am making up a story, can anyone date this photo for us?

We can see that Dodd’s shop has now moved from the Market Place, not sure of the date but scene hasn’t changed much over the years.

Taken from the west we can clearly see where  C.J. Dodds shop was, the other buildings are not very clear but we can see the Presbytery in the background.

Everyone out posing because the man with the camera came, even the little dog seems to know the importance of the day, a lovely photo showing the old  bridge and the houses.

A lovely clear photo we can even see some of the head stones in the cemetery behind it, a beautiful building  such a pity it was bombed does anyone know when it was built?

Thanks to Norman Patton for this information.

The Wesleyan Newton Memorial Chapel was built in 1876, at a cost of £3,564. It is a handsome brick edifice with freestone facings, and will accommodate 900 persons. In 1885 the front was altered and improved at a cost of £405. Quoted verbatim from Bulmer’s Directory.

A photograph of Coronation Road taken from the east these are the private houses, it isn’t  a clear enough  picture to see if the council houses were there when it was taken.

Thanks again to Norman,

The picture would be taken around the early 1950s. The VHF television aerials started to be common place about that time (Coronation and Matthew’s Cup winner’s medal with Blackpool). the “council houses” were built quite a while before this, perhaps even late 30s

An aerial photograph of the rectory shows just how big it is, a good big family house for the rector of the parish.

An imposing building seen easier before the Arlington Estate was built, a new rectory was built below the old one (in the late 1970’s?),  subsequently the present rectory was purchased as an already built house on Micklow Lane, on the site of the Women’s Institute Hall.

Thanks to Steven Gale for the information.

A different view of Arlington Street taken from Chapel Bank,  on the left hand side it shows the grassy bank  and the beck that was  piped when the estate was built.

Obviously a posed photograph by the number of bystanders.

Another picture postcard of picturesque Loftus – you should see some familiar images!

This is a pretty picture postcard extolling the virtues of Loftus.  These were a popular way of telling the folks at home what your new location looked like in the days before holidays and easy travel.

Horse-drawn transport, dirt roads – early 1900’s perhaps, maybe even late 1890’s.  A good historic image of the bottom end of the Market Place.

A neat and tidy Loftus Station with a Whitby-bound train arriving, headed by the ubiquitous tank engine.  The Stationmaster is exchanging Tokens with the engine-driver, as Loftus was the end of one control block and the beginning of another in the Token-controlled single track railway system (basically the line was split into sections, each controlled by a token.  A train arriving at Loftus would surrender its Token (freeing up the section of track that it was leaving) and would receive a Token allowing it to proceed into the next section of track.  If there was still a train in the next section then the Stationmaster couldn’t give the engine driver a Token, so the train would be held at Loftus until the incoming train arrived and surrendered its Token).  This system is still in use on the Middlesbrough to Whitby branch, although, sadly there are no more Stationmasters and no more signal box staff (a control section always had a signal box), so there is a box on the control stations with a Victorian Lock Frame (to receive the Token) and another Victorian Lock Frame to dispense the next Token and a computer link to advise the Middlesbrough Control Centre of a ”train in section”.  All very sad, but I’ve no doubt all very efficient(!).

Loftus still has trains passing through, but none stop. The line now serves the Cleveland Potash Mine and sadly passengers are no longer a feature of the line after it departs Saltburn.

This isn’t the usual shot of the viaduct, as far as I can judge this is taken from the landward side, not from Skinningrove or Carlin How.  A rather poor copy of an early photograph I’m afraid.