great northern

Aboyeur again, just a little futher along. and one from the other side. A much better impression of the length of the layout, a bit more light where it is needed, so why don't I stick with photos from this side? Probably because there are so many lattices to deal with, and the south end can be a pain when photoshopping if the light is less than perfect.

The A1 has now nearly passed through the station. and we are back to rationing, as most days recently have featured lovely early sun, but cloud filling in before it shines into my windows. It comes out again mid afternoon, too late to be of use to me.

The formation of the 8.00 Leeds/Bradford. Mk1s to start with.BSO CK. MK1 SK, two compartments reserved for passengers joining at Hitchin, who back then would almost certainly those compartments empty, whereas now they would be full of sullen looking interlopers, who would refuse to move. Then an all door Gresley SK. Another all door SK and a BSK, these two and the previous SK to be secured by KX. FO and RK, the latter one of the few to be seen in 1958. These came off the previous days 1145 Up Leeds. Now the Bradford portion. CK, again one compartment reserved for those joining at Hithchin, and a BG. Finally, MK1 TSO. For some reason on Bradford portions these were often placed outside the brake vehicle. Bonus J6 as well.

One more of Aboyeur this evening. I have photographed the whole formation, as it is slightly unusual, and I will post all of those in the morning.

And to mine Tony, it upset me when it wasn't in service.

Now the Down expresses start to appear much more frequently. Copley Hill A1 Aboyeur has the 8.00 Leeds. The J6 is now out of the way while parcels transfers take place, while Aboyeur negotiates the dogs leg curve.

Another of those trais we see every day of the week now appears, this one being that short parcels train from New England to East, which will spend quite a while in Number 1 bay. Local J6 64177 has the job today, and we have two views of it on the approach to the station. I do like a J6, especially one that has come half way round the world to get here.

On we go towards Skegness. Weather forecast is 57f, wind NE 20mph, light drizzle, and don't even think about the sea temperature. and hope Mrs McStingy, the landlady, doesn't live up to her name. Are we nearly there yet?

Thane of Fife is on its way, next stop Abbot's Ripton. Then we have the 7.50 KX-Skegness, which was the only train to Skeggy which ran non stop on the main line part of the journey. I think it is a good bet therefore that this is the Butlin's express. There is no headboard, but the Top Shed B1 has been given special treatment.

The 9.25 is not ready to go yet, so the WD is allowed through and back to the Up. We have a manon the bridge to record that. and there is another one at ground level near the signal box. I've just checked the WTT to see what the margin was for the 9.25, as even that would surely take precedence over a Class H. Much to my surprise, I found that it stopped at Abbots Ripton, which was being run down for closure, before it got to Huntingdon, so there was time to get the WD into a loop without inconvenience to passengers

So why is the WD on the slow? Well, 60505 has sneaked in to our only Up platform witht he stock for the 9.25 stopper to KX.

62613 is now approaching CVrescent Junction, and will take the chord down to East. and we have a WD creeping along the Up slow with a Class H mixed goods bound for Hatfield.

Now we have the East shuttle, and a valanced Claud to admire. Unusually this one will start from Platform 6, rather than number one bay. off it goes for its five minute journey.

Silver Link has not stopped, but is rolling slowly past the spotters, who are our early this morning. It is still only 9.15am. and here she is again, just a little way further on. That will be our last look at her though, at least until she comes through on her return journey to KX.

More trains run, more images obtained, but not yet photoshopped. We do still have more of Silver Link though.