Peterborough North

[great northern]

G'Day Folks.

 

Just come across this photo, it's a train heading to Little Barford power station, which is of interest, but the signal is also of interest, this pics was taken in 1958, is that a Somersault signal on the platform ????

 

manna

 it is a North Eastern signal, placed where it is because loco crew approaching from the south could not sight the signals at the north end because they were obscured by the overall roof. I suppose in a way you could call it a repeater signal. It was upper quadrant for a long while, but at some stage in the late 50s was converted to lower quadrant as seen in this image. I reckon that must have happened because sighting was still difficult when it was upper quadrant.

 

The Little Barford coal is always identifiable by the extra brake at the front, needed as the train could not be turned on arrival at the power station. It was also the most likely train to have a borrowed loco, as here.

[great northern]

Tonight we first look again at the N5, which has shunted the ECS into the bay, and is being passed by the B17 on its way to New England.

A few minutes later, the relieving engine, a Rugby Stanier tank, has backed on to take the train to Birmingham.

Our cameraman's eye then settled on this rather smart Dia 211 CK in the M&GN formation, and thought it would make a nice picture too.

[great northern]

This morning we feature Silver Fox on the Up Flying Scotsman. I asked the photographers to move further back along the platform before taking these shots, and found that the result is encouraging, in that it removes the very difficult grey areas down by Spital Bridge, and gives a good view of at least part of the train.

The presence of stock in the bay is a big help too. I'm in danger of achieving the composition I've been looking for here.

[The Blue Streak]

Those latest pictures are right on the Money Gilbert.

 

Even when the big picture is bought up it just ticks all the right boxes for Me, very realistic.

[Oldddudders]

 is that a Somersault signal on the platform ????

 

 

I think a somersault signal displays the arm in a vertically dropped position when off. I think East Lincolnshire, not a million miles from PN, was the last scene of such signals. Wainfleet comes to mind. Others will know better!

[chaz]

I think a somersault signal displays the arm in a vertically dropped position when off. I think East Lincolnshire, not a million miles from PN, was the last scene of such signals. Wainfleet comes to mind. Others will know better!

 

 

Very few somersaults actually achieved the vertical off position I believe. Checking through Michael Vanns book on GNR signalling I failed to find a single example, although the one pictured on page 36 of a Stirling single at Harringay shows one getting very close.

 

Here's my 7mm effort...

 

 

Note the central pivot and the separate spectacle plate - quite different to the pictured NER semaphore.

 

There were some late somersault survivors on the Hatfield - Luton/Dunstable branch, which closed in '65.

 

HTH

 

Chaz

Edited December 8, 2017 by chaz

[great northern]

Courtesy and copyright of Andrew C Ingram, and not to be further reproduced please. The caption says it all.

Don't mention the point rodding. And look at that hut! Not bedded in properly at all.

Edited December 8, 2017 by great northern

[KNP]

Courtesy and copyright of Andrew C Ingram, and not to be further reproduced please. The caption says it all.

img20171208_14202781.jpg

Don't mention the point rodding. And look at that hut! Not bedded in properly at all.

 

More of note in this picture is the signal control cabling, makes you wander how on earth they exactly worked effectively let alone at all!

[chaz]

...look at that hut! Not bedded in properly at all.

 

 

Surely the hut is on some kind of plinth, or at least some substantial timbers (old sleepers?)? A garden shed plonked straight onto the ground is not long for this world.....

[great northern]

In addition to the running of trains, and the making of a photographic record, I have today been doing some research, my hope being to identify a couple of "typical" West Riding trains. That's apart from the named services, of course. I have however discovered that in 1958 at least, there was no such thing. I now have to decide whether to pick a couple of actual trains and model them, or to carry on with generic formations, as I have done until now.

 

I have all the necessary coaches, but coupling incompatibility makes marshalling them in correct order a nightmare. I shall give this more thought tomorrow. I'd give quite a lot for some more catering cars too.

[great northern]

It was time for a cup of tea in the refreshment room, so our cameramen missed one or two minor events, but suitably refreshed, the 3.48pm to Kings Lynn was recorded behind the usual Ivatt 4.

Some minutes prior to that though, the stock for the 3.58pm Grantham local had been brought in by New England's filthy A2/1.

Duke of Rothesay never seemed to be well cared for. I remember it as always dirty, and just about all the photographs I've seen show the same neglect. I do recall seeing it often though, and usually on an express. The next part of its day's work after it gets to Grantham will be something more suitable for a loco of this power rating.

[Dave John]

I do like the stark lines of the Ivatt 4. Is it a kitbuild? 

 

Point rodding I have done, but that photo reminds me I must tackle signal wires. 

[great northern]

I do like the stark lines of the Ivatt 4. Is it a kitbuild? 

 

Point rodding I have done, but that photo reminds me I must tackle signal wires. 

The Ivatt is weathered Bachmann actually, nothing else has been done to it. The mere mention of point rodding for this lot makes me go all faint!

[great northern]

More views of workings northbound this morning, the first being another look at the Ivatt on its way to Kings Lynn.

Ten minutes later Duke of Rothesay commenced its 29 mile journey to Grantham.

and after it had cleared section, an 02 was able to complete the least lap of its journey, the empties this time having come from Ashburton Grove. No comments needed about rubbish still being located there today.

[Fenman]

It was time for a cup of tea in the refreshment room, so our cameramen missed one or two minor events, but suitably refreshed, the 3.48pm to Kings Lynn was recorded behind the usual Ivatt 4.

Ivatt.JPG

...

 

That's a stunning portrait of an everyday M&GN service. It also shows just how good that Bachmann model looks.

 

Paul

[great northern]

BRIDGES.

 

There are two on the floor of my railway room, and I keep having to avoid tripping over them, so they need to disappear. I was going to put them straight on E-Bay, but then thought I might just ask if anyone who visits here would be interested. If so, please let me know, here or by PM, and I'll give details of dimensions etc. Oh, and in case you haven't guessed, it is the old Crescent and Spital Bridges, both built by Allan Downes.

[bigwordsmith]

BRIDGES.

 

There are two on the floor of my railway room, and I keep having to avoid tripping over them, so they need to disappear. I was going to put them straight on E-Bay, but then thought I might just ask if anyone who visits here would be interested. If so, please let me know, here or by PM, and I'll give details of dimensions etc. Oh, and in case you haven't guessed, it is the old Crescent and Spital Bridges, both built by Allan Downes.

 

 

Gilbert, If you don't find anyone else to look after them, I'll be honoured to find a place to include them on the new Waverley East/Shed/ Mainline layout when it's built!

[Oldddudders]

Gilbert, If you don't find anyone else to look after them, I'll be honoured to find a place to include them on the new Waverley East/Shed/ Mainline layout when it's built!

 

Yes, Smiffy, honoured is the word. Some of us in the lower orders of the hobby would be proud to own a structure from such a legendary name.

 

My 2017 acquisition of a number of Larry Goddard Bulleid coaches at good prices makes me feel similarly smug. 

[New Haven Neil]

You know Gilbert, if you ever move on a year and that N5 gets withdrawn in favour of a J50 or N2........

[great northern]

You know Gilbert, if you ever move on a year and that N5 gets withdrawn in favour of a J50 or N2........

Perish the thought If I did that there would be less B17s and even less Clauds. By the way, you have an order, dear chap.

[great northern]

 We can follow the progress of the 02 for a while tonight.

and no sooner had it passed out of sight than another load of coal was on its way south.

I think I've lightened these a bit too much. Afternoon photography is not a good idea at this time of year. Mind you, the light glinting off the snowfields may help tomorrow, if the forecast is correct.

[great northern]

Snowfall, light so far, grey and very cold. Outdoor pastimes ruled out. I can go and run trains, but may not have enough light to photograph them. Back to 1958 then.

The WD now meets A3 Doncaster, returning home with another mid afternoon Newcastle relief.

and seen again a little further forward on its journey.

[great northern]

I have discovered two things today. The first is the almost impossibility of speaking to a human being at Virgin Media. The second is that one of my West Riding sets is spot on for the 1.20 Down. Had I looked at the formation from the correct end in the first place I might have discovered that earlier. It might also have helped if I could have remembered researching and setting it up some time ago.

[New Haven Neil]

Thanks Gilbert - I shall ensure your order goes to the youngest and prettiest packer!

 

Tomorrow morning will probably be our busiest day of the year, all hands on deck sort of day I reckon. 

 

Do you know the origin of the N5 by the way?  McGowan?

[great northern]

Thanks Gilbert - I shall ensure your order goes to the youngest and prettiest packer!

 

Tomorrow morning will probably be our busiest day of the year, all hands on deck sort of day I reckon. 

 

Do you know the origin of the N5 by the way?  McGowan?

SE Finecast Neil. Will the packer be a young lady, and if so, will she be delivering personally? Well, one can always try.