1950s local traffic on the Dorset Central

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hello,

 

As a very small group of three, we have taken over an incomplete layout and are considering finishing it with a local theme - the southern portion of the S&DJR.

 

After much searching of Ivo Peters' picture albums we are no better informed about local traffic levels during the 50s on the Dorset Central portion between Templecombe and Broadstone . 

 

Rather than the inter regional passenger trains during the summer season can we ask about the weekday traffic, we have limited capacity for a full service. For example, we assume that within daylight hours there would have been at least one pickup goods working in each direction plus milk tanks down to Bailey Gate and long distance goods either starting/finishing at Poole Docks.

 

Are we correct in thinking that the 5mt, 2P, 7F, 4F, 3F had not been replaced by BR standards in the mid 50s and presumably local passenger workings were still in the hands of the 5mt and 2P?  Despite their visual appeal, the forthcoming MR 1P 0-4-4t seem to have stayed north of Evercreech, maybe an Ivatt 2mt Mickey Mouse from Bounemouth would have supplemented the others previously mentioned?

 

For passenger stock, we intend to use the Hornby S&DJR set, Maunsell 58' rebuilt and possibly non-corridor exLMS sets. 

 

 

Thank you

 

John 'Jack' Benson

 

 

[johnofwessex]

The S&D Trust at Washford do some reprints of S&D working timetables

[Guest Jack Benson]

Johnofwessex, many thanks.

 

May I ask, would the Stanier 57' non-corridor stock be suitable as local sets on the Dorset Central section? Presumably two brakes and a compo or merely a brake and compo?

 

An attempt to acquire a 50s WTT is a priority, unfortunately our combined knowledge does not include the 50s, we only remember the line after the WReg took over.

 

cheers

 

Jack B

 

 

[bécasse]

I am rather doubtful whether ex-LMS non-corridor stock ever worked regularly south of Templecombe. The S&D tended to be worked in sections as far as local trains were concerned and I think that the line south of Templecombe largely saw ex-LSWR non-corridor 3-sets (distinctively different from the Maunsell 58' rebuilds), then the low-windowed early Maunsell 3-sets (as per Hornby) and finally the early Bulleid "compartment" 3-sets. There was some overlap but not much (the Bulleid sets were initially present during the winter TT only, reverting to LSWR main line duties during the summer).

[Guest Jack Benson]

exLSWR non-corridor sets, thankfully we have a set.

 

 

This  image at BGP is interesting as non-corridor 57' LMS stock seem to be evident.

 

 

 

[RailWest]

Although Ivo ranged over much of the line, most of his photography tends to be from Evercreech Jcn northwards, given that he lived in Bath. Other photographers' collections may perhaps prove more useful for you. Have you checked what is in the collections of 'local' modelling groups such as the Blandford and Wimborne MRCs etc?

[bécasse]

13 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

 

This  image at BGP is interesting as non-corridor 57' LMS stock seem to be evident.

 

 

 

I would have expected to find ex-LMS non-corridor coaching stock at Bath Green Park, not least because it would have worked to/from Bristol and Mangotsfield, but I doubt whether it ever worked regularly south of Templecombe.

[Blandford1969]

In terms of the Dorset Central local trains were Maunsell short sets as done by Hornby, or Stanier coaches (corridor coaches, not opens) Some LSWR sets did run north for example 318 and 420. Trains from Highbridge to Templecome mainly used LMS 57ft suburbans as done by Dapol, sometimes SR stock and sometimes a mix (at least in the 50s) In terms of south of Templecombe your main service used by non corridor stock would be to Bailey Gate (I can't remember the times off hand)

 

In terms of locos it depends on what point in the 50s. In 1949 you can use a Redniger Crab, In 1950 you are looking at 2p, 3f, 4f, 4MT flying pigs (which did not last long on the line) , 5f, 7f. The 1p's were mainly on the branch, however certainly in the 30s they got down to Bournemouth.

By 1953 the 5mts arrive but only on through services, with the local services still in the hands mainly of the 2ps and 4fs.

By 1956 the 75xxxs with BRIBs arrive on the line

You also have the excuse of using a Q on a through service to Bath. BiketoSteam also has quoted a few others woking fertizer trains to Blandford. I have seen a photo of an LSWR 0395 Ilfracombe goods near Blandford, but only saw it at an exhibition and never again since.

From memory the 2MTs do not really start appearing till the withdrawl of the 1ps

 

There was certainly at least one frieght, but i can't remember the details. Brian Macdermots Moddeling the Somerset and Dorset is a really useful book to get to find out more on traffic.

 

Best wishes

Duncan

[Blandford1969]

As a clarification Ivatt class 2s were on the south end of the line by 1954 having just seen 41249 at Poole.

[bécasse]

Ivatt 2-6-2Ts were at Bath Green Park from late 1949, Templecombe from 1953 (including 41249) and Highbridge from 1957.

 

[johnofwessex]

Are the Dapol & Hornby models of the same vehicles or different?

 

[dpgibbons]

The District Controllers View #4 from Xpress Publishing covers the S&D in the early 1950s. As usual with these excellent volumes it has comprehensive details of the WTT, loco allocations and engine diagrams so it will answer most of your questions on those aspects. Volumes 3 covers Bath Green Park activities and #6 covers S&D summer Saturdays, both for the 1957 period, and these also include details of carriage formations.  

[Guest Jack Benson]

10 hours ago, johnofwessex said:

Are the Dapol & Hornby models of the same vehicles or different?

 

John,

The models are similar but not identical, the roofs of the Hornby model do not have the long rainstrip which is rather prominent on the lovely image of a 3F at Glastonbury in the collection of images from Phil Sutters wheras the Dapol version has the rainstrip.

 

Cheers

 

Jack Benson.

[Compound2632]

The Dapol (ex Airfix) models are of non-corridor lavatory carriages - the particular diagrams produced being actually rather rare, only 25 of each built - lavatory composites to D1736 and lavatory third brakes to D1737 built in 1930. These are Period II carriages in the Essery & Jenkinson terminology. Otherwise more-or-less identical but wood panelled Period I carriages were rather more plentiful, 145 lavatory composites to D1686 and 248 lavatory brake thirds to D1685 built 1926-9.  The Hornby models are Period III vehicles, built in very large numbers from 1933 onwards.

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hello,

 

Just to thank all those who contributed to this thread, especially those who recommended the purchase of certain books and periodicals.

 

The Backtrack and Model Rail were very helpful and helped to expain why there was an exLMS two-car non-corridor Cc+BT set at Bailey Gate. It originated in the morning at Highbridge via  Evercreech then to Bailey Gate with the afternoon milk. 

 

Cheers

 

Jack Benson

 

 

 

 

[Guest Jack Benson]

Just an update

 

Following further discussion on another thread, it seems that some of the comments concerning the use of exLMS non-corridor stock throughout the SDJR appear to be in error.

 

Cheers

 

Jack