Wannie Line Walk: Gangers cabin
Location: 55.189320 -1.950009 (NZ 03281 88339).Cache is behind the remains of the Ganger’s cabin.
Cache placed with permission from and thanks to the National Trust. Please park in Scots Gap at the National Trust office (NE61 4EG) to access the Wannie Line caches.
In 1859 the Wansbeck Railway obtained authority to build a railway line between Morpeth and Redesmouth (near Bellingham) and in 1862 the eastern part from Morpeth to Scots Gap was completed. The western end of the Wansbeck line from Scots Gap through Knowesgate to Redesmouth was completed in 1865 (the Wannie Line) Meanwhile a branch line from Scots Gap to Rothbury (originally planned to continue north to Scotland) was opened in 1870.
Passenger and freight were carried, often within the same train. These were very rural and quiet services, typically one engine and one carriage could cater for demand.
The Ganger's cabin was a resting place and refuge for the men who maintained the line. You can still see the brick-lined chimney.
About 500 metres further north, where the line crosses the Delf Burn, a terrible accident occurred on 3 July 1875. A freight wagon attached between the locomotive and the passenger carriages travelling south derailed and plunged down the steep embankment. There were 4 deaths and 10 seriously injured. The location was far from help. The engine driver ran to Scots Gap to raise the alarm and then assistance had to make their way back on foot.
The cause was found to be a fault on a freight wagon coupling and this led to a change in regulations separating freight and passenger services which holds to this day.