RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 3, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 The weather forecast. Heavy rain, now until 2.00am tomorrow. I'm rather glad I decided not to resume golf until next week. The engine change is now taking taking place. 27 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 3, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 Here's another spot of reminiscing on a dull day. A day trip to Retford 1958/59. The train to Retford left Lincoln Central at 9.15am, and in 1958 took 40 minutes to cover the 20 miles to destination. In 1958 it called at Saxilby, Torksey Cottam and Leverton, but by 1959 the route over the Trent at Torksey had been closed, and the journey was via Gainsborough Central and Clarborough junction. Either way, the first small excitement was passing Thrumpton shed on the approach to Retford station, though it housed only grimy black engines. No DMUs on this route yet, so no view ahead unless one hung one's head out of the window, which we did as we approached the flat crossing, hoping something more exciting would be seen on the main line. Our train would then lurch around the chord onto the ECML, and deposit us on the far side of the island platform. Retford differed from Grantham in that there were loops off the main line both on the Up and Down, so the Up main ran between the Up platform road and that on the Down. Thus, London bound trains going through non stop could be seen from a distance, making them even more impressive. On arrival, we were always directed through the subway to the Up side, where we were almost always allowed through onto the platform, which was a relatively long one, extending onto the curve back onto the GC route, which until 1965 crossed the ECML on the flat. We were firmly told to spend the majority of our time well down that end of the platform, though if it was raining we would be allowed to creep up under the awning. Down there a train aproaching on the main from the South could be seen from quite a long way off, and both the sound of the bells from the signal box and a conveniently placed signal announced anything coming on the Up. We also had a grandstand view of the traffic on the GC, nearly all of which was goods, and mainly coal, and which crept across at the regulation 10mph very regularly. To complete the scene, behind the Down island platform was Retford GN shed, but unlike Grantham, it always seemed to house just dirty black locos. At the North end, the main line ran straight for a long way, and our train for Sheffield would leave via another very sharply curved chord to regain the GC. Also to be found at that end on the Up was the station pilot, always a Retford B1, usually 61208/11/12 or 13. On the ECML the trains which stopped at Retford were almost exclusively the West Riding services, those to Tyneside and Scotland hurrying straight through. That meant that we got close up views of exactly the same locos that we were already used to at Grantham, locos from Kings Cross, Doncaster and Copley Hill. Most of them were in the hands of A1s, including Great Northern which, like the W1, was a very regular sight. A stopping train behind an A4 was a rarity. In addition to the intensive main line service there were also the GC trains, some just Lincoln to Sheffield locals, but also quite a number of Manchester to Cleethorpes trains. My 1957 public timetable shows 11 in total in one direction between the arrival of our train, and one back to Lincoln departing at 4.41pm. They were B1 K2 or K3 turns mainly, but in spring of 1957 the five D11s which had been at Lincoln for some years were transferred to Sheffield Darnall, and started turning up regularly on these turns, so we renewed acqaintance with Butler Henderson, Zeebrugge, Somme and Marne. I recall our trains to and from Lincoln as being B1 hauled almost exclusively, but occasionally we got a D11 on those too. So when the first D11 came into view on our visit in late spring of 58, we prepared to sigh and boo yet again. But hang on, what's this. 62662! Prince of Wales, and that was followed during the day by 62661/5,8 and 9. They had just been transferred from the Cheshire lines, where most of them had been stored in the open for years. Now they joined the rest at Darnall, and in the summers of 58, 59, and even 60 out they came again. Each winter they went into store again, but somehow always they re-emerged, though they looked as though they were about to fall apart. What about 62664, you might ask? It was usually station pilot at Sheffield Victoria, where I saw it occasionally. And that one passenger service that came over the flat crossing and ignored Retford? That was the Harwich to Liverpool boat train, always B17 hauled, but of course we saw that every day at Lincoln, so that probably got booed too. Main line memories? 60126 Sir Vincent Raven, a Heaton engine and a cop, flying through on the Up main. I remember seeing Tyne Commission Quay on the coach destination boards, and wondering what that was about. The most powerful memory though is of a lovely afternoon in early August 1958, during the afternoon dead hour. Single peg on the Up main didn't interest us much, until 60090 Grand Parade ran slowly by, a Haymarket engine ex works on a trial run, and with a double chimney, one of the first we had seen. It was a glorious sight, one I have never forgotten, and that is why the loco appears on PN now. Otherwise, the same engines we always saw, with the occasional cop from Gateshead or Heaton. But how vividly I remember how many trains there were, on the main, or appearing round those two chords, and when they weren't to be seen, long goods trains on the crossing, or sometimes three light engines coupled together. Mainly 04s of various sub classes, but also plenty of 02s, and of course WDs. J6 and J11 as well. Numbers? The only ones I remember are 63637 and 63736, both Retford O4s, and only because of the numerical coincidence. One of those appears on PN too. And finally, very well remembered, the day we turned up during the Christmas holidays, a very cold day. when we were summarily thrown out! We went down to the Up platform end, where the platform was on stilts, and we could creep underneath and still see trains. It was now snowing hard. Soon we got out our sandwiches, and I put one down briefly beside me, only to see it snaffled by a large rat. That did it, and blue with cold we went back to the station to catch the next train home. Fortunately, Jobsworth had gone off duty, and his replacement said " you poor kids" took us to a waiting room with a roaring fire, and told us to stay there for the day, and just come out when we heard trains approaching. One doesn't forget things like that. Time to catch the train home. My timetable tells me there were none between 4.42pm and 7.23pm, and I don't think we were allowed to stay out that late. But there is a last memory, which is of asking a railwayman if he knew what Lincoln City's score was. This was a Saturday, and the match would have been due to end at 4.40pm, but he was able to tell me, gleefully I'm afraid, that we had lost 7-0 at Stoke. So perhaps we did stay later. It was dark, I remember that. So, time to bring this ramble to an end. Lincoln now sit proudly second in League One. Could we go back to the Championship, the old second division, for the first time in 60 years? Who knows, but when I typed that 60, I couldn't believe it. I hope this may have brightened up a dull day a little, and I again invite you to share with us your memories of local trips in your past. I'd certainly like to read of events at places I have never visited, even if they are as largely inconsequential as those related above. 21 2 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted December 3, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 3, 2020 ^^^ Thanks for the reminiscence! Only one minor mistake - it is Gainsborough Lea Road that the Lincoln - Retford trains goes through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium great northern Posted December 3, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted December 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Welly said: ^^^ Thanks for the reminiscence! Only one minor mistake - it is Gainsborough Lea Road that the Lincoln - Retford trains goes through. Of course it is, I did hesitate as I typed it, but couldn't be bothered to check properly. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 3, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 The B17 is on its way back to Colchester, which frees up Platform 2 for the V2 which will take the 7.25 to Kings Cross. and once that has departed, the road is clear for nearly new 9F 92188 to take more coal to Ferme Park. 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzer Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Another memory of mine , as we are back on reminiscing, Gilbert. A Bank Holiday weekend in the early ‘60’s. Probably Whitsun as it was called before the world went barmy. I went with my parents, cousin and two aunts and uncles for weekend in Swanage. It was difficult to get accommodation , and as the others were in one car they got a B&B somewhere but not enough room for us so the Landlady suggested we try the station as the Station Masters wife did bed and breakfast. So off we went for what was to be an real eye- opener especially as I didn’t even know Swanage had a station. Anyway, joy-of- joys we got fixed up for B&B and with my eyes popping out of my head it soon became apparent that I was obsessed with railways and the station masters wife proudly showed me an o o gauge station her son, who was away somewhere, had built. Then then her husband said that if I could be down on the platform by 6.30 when the news paper train came in he would ask the driver if I could go up in the cab . This was going to be a weekend to remember ! Anyway later that evening after dark, I went exploring the station. At that stage, I had never seen anything Southern in my life it just seemed amazing to see these two GREEN coaches parked in the bay. I guess now they must have been a couple of Bullieds that would have been attached to the branch train to Wareham next morning and then taken through to Waterloo by an express. In my excitement I walked alongside looking into the windows then went to look to look round the other side, but in the dark I didn’t realise there was no platform the other side so stepped into thin air and fell between the rails. At that time I thought the whole Southern region had been electrified third rail and still remember thinking as I fell that I was going to be electrocuted. Fortunately no harm was done and I climbed back up and got a stern warning from my dad about walking round in the dark. The next morning came and for probably the first time in my life I was up and ready as an M7 arrived with the Newspaper train, the first time in my life I had seen an 0-4-4 tank. Not only did the driver agree to me coming in the cab he said I could ride on the footplate while he shunted the coaches. The drivers first words to me , speaking in his heavy Dorset accent were “ Funcy bein’ in’erested in thayse durrdy ol’ thaings “ . Dirty old things ? It was possibly the most wonderful thing Ld seen in my life ! It actually l pretty clean as well . So we pushed the coaches out of the station to the sidings beyond the Victoria Road Bridge then back to the signal box where I was given a tour by the signalman, So ended my first ever ride on a steam locomotive footplate and the only one not on a preserved line . It was to be over 40 years before I got another one and have had several since but that one on the M7 is the one that stands out in my memory. 14 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 4, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 4, 2020 From our higher vantage point, we see a Derby Compound at Platform 6 with a Leicester local. 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 23 hours ago, great northern said: I again invite you to share with us your memories of local trips in your past. I'd certainly like to read of events at places I have never visited, even if they are as largely inconsequential as those related above. I'm envious of you and others Gilbert being able to recall such times past from the great days of steam. Unfortunately, I and others are just too damn young! I could regale with tales of: - days out on the UK rails in 1980s/1990s - steam-hauled railtours in the UK from 1980s to present day - forrin train travel (Swiss Alps, etc) - Steam-orientated visits to other parts of the world But none of these are really reminiscences on a par with yours ... are they? In the meantime, I have just earliest memory fragments of the end of steam in 1968 (I was a 4-year old). Anybody know where this is?: And 'I was there' on the last day of all - August 11th, 1968: Remarkably, I'm pretty certain that's me in this snip of Colin Gifford's picture of the day - that's my Mum., holding my younger brother (he never did like trains) with my Dad in front, wielding his trust Eumig Standard-8 cine camera. I returned, 39 years and 364 days later to take my own picture: Wind still blowing in exactly the same direction!! 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 12 hours ago, jazzer said: So ended my first ever ride on a steam locomotive footplate and the only one not on a preserved line . It was to be over 40 years before I got another one and have had several since but that one on the M7 is the one that stands out in my memory. Although ironically - and happily - it IS a preserved line (ie in 2020). And you could pretty much do everything you describe (including the M7) to this very day! But we know what you meant ... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium great northern Posted December 4, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted December 4, 2020 5 minutes ago, LNER4479 said: I'm envious of you and others Gilbert being able to recall such times past from the great days of steam. Unfortunately, I and others are just too damn young! I could regale with tales of: - days out on the UK rails in 1980s/1990s - steam-hauled railtours in the UK from 1980s to present day - forrin train travel (Swiss Alps, etc) - Steam-orientated visits to other parts of the world But none of these are really reminiscences on a par with yours ... are they? In the meantime, I have just earliest memory fragments of the end of steam in 1968 (I was a 4-year old). Anybody know where this is?: And 'I was there' on the last day of all - August 11th, 1968: Remarkably, I'm pretty certain that's me in this snip of Colin Gifford's picture of the day - that's my Mum., holding my younger brother (he never did like trains) with my Dad in front, wielding his trust Eumig Standard-8 cine camera. I returned, 39 years and 364 days later to take my own picture: Wind still blowing in exactly the same direction!! Well, I for one think that is terrific Graham. Your picture above is superb. Is the other one Kingmoor? I'm more than happy to read about rail tours, and of course you could tell us a lot about the genesis and life of Tornado, couldn't you? This is primarily a thread about my train set, but I just love railways in general, as I'm sure do most of the people who visit here, so some wider experiences are welcome. 1 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 32 minutes ago, great northern said: Your picture above is superb. Is the other one Kingmoor? I'm more than happy to read about rail tours, and of course you could tell us a lot about the genesis and life of Tornado, couldn't you? This is primarily a thread about my train set, but I just love railways in general, as I'm sure do most of the people who visit here, so some wider experiences are welcome. Well, thanks for that, Gilbert. I'll have a go at putting together one of each and see how they go down. I don't want to bore the pants off everybody. In the meantime, perhaps we have a mini little picture quiz on our hands? No, it's not Kingmoor. It's a scene I vaguely recall from early 1968 (obviously not my picture!), there was snow on the ground at the time. I'm sure some one with similar 1968 memories will recognise it ... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 65179 Posted December 4, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 4, 2020 47 minutes ago, LNER4479 said: Well, thanks for that, Gilbert. I'll have a go at putting together one of each and see how they go down. I don't want to bore the pants off everybody. In the meantime, perhaps we have a mini little picture quiz on our hands? No, it's not Kingmoor. It's a scene I vaguely recall from early 1968 (obviously not my picture!), there was snow on the ground at the time. I'm sure some one with similar 1968 memories will recognise it ... Gowhole Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 Well, I did say a 'mini' quiz so it only lasted two guesses. Ah well! Yes - I just have this vague memory of going there with my Dad and another enthusiast in the snows of February 1968, standing by (or being plonked on) the gate overlooking the yard from Dolly Lane and seeing an 8F, wreathed in steam, on the turntable there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 65179 Posted December 4, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 4, 2020 I passed that site so many times on my way to and from university, and off on walking trips, but have only ever known it as a windswept place with a large hole where the turntable once was sadly. Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzer Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 4 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Although ironically - and happily - it IS a preserved line (ie in 2020). And you could pretty much do everything you describe (including the M7) to this very day! But we know what you meant ... Yes, we had a few days in Swanage there or four years ago and took the train out to Corfe Castle and back but sadly the M7 was not in steam. I managed to get up close though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzer Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 4 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Although ironically - and happily - it IS a preserved line (ie in 2020). And you could pretty much do everything you describe (including the M7) to this very day! But we know what you meant ... Yes, we had a few days in Swanage there or four years ago and took the train out to Corfe Castle and back but sadly the M7 was not in steam. I managed to get up close though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzer Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 4 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Although ironically - and happily - it IS a preserved line (ie in 2020). And you could pretty much do everything you describe (including the M7) to this very day! But we know what you meant ... Yes, we had a few days in Swanage there or four years ago and took the train out to Corfe Castle and back but sadly the M7 was not in steam. I managed to get up close though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzer Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 4 hours ago, LNER4479 said: Although ironically - and happily - it IS a preserved line (ie in 2020). And you could pretty much do everything you describe (including the M7) to this very day! But we know what you meant ... Yes, we had a few days in Swanage there or four years ago and took the train out to Corfe Castle and back but sadly the M7 was not in steam. I managed to get up close though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robmcg Posted December 4, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 4, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, great northern said: ... I'm more than happy to read about rail tours, and of course you could tell us a lot about the genesis and life of Tornado, couldn't you? This is primarily a thread about my train set, but I just love railways in general, as I'm sure do most of the people who visit here, so some wider experiences are welcome. I was pleased to read about a 'first footplate ride' at Swanage, on an M7 and also Gilbert your extensive and vividly-recounted spotting days. My own experiences are indeed wider, at least in a geographical sense, being nearly always the only person watching trains near Wellington here in NZ, and my first footplate ride, age 11 or 12yrs in 1962-3, was from local engine shed to waiting express train on New Zealand Railways, on 'Ka' class 4-8-4, No.954.... now there is a type of engine which would have made you boys from Lincoln look twice! I photographed the 3.40pm Wellington-Auckland express leaving Paekakariki with my 'Agfa Clack' camera, but it was wreathed in steam, as well as being a dull day, so a pretty poor shot, but the lasting impression was of the latent power and faint vibration of the engine and cab interior. The driver was friendly and told me sternly to keep clear of the fall plate. The engine was at the beginning of a 150-mile duty, possibly the crew would work back 'home' later that night or in the early morning. It was highly irregular for a driver to allow a kid on board when an express duty was starting, I felt very privileged, and had to jump down on the non-platform side once we had coupled-up. It's a long way away from Peterborough North or Retford, but I can well understand the enthusiasm and love of trains of the PN days, and greatly enjoy your photos and re-creation of the 'ordinary days'. After all, we colonials had Hornby Dublo at home. Some heretics had Triang... or even Marklin. There were a few boys about who liked the real trains back in 1962-3, it wasn't overly fashionable in NZ at least, though many adults of my age approaching 70 now admit to it. Here are two edited pictures of 'my' Ka 954, one on shed and one with 'The 3.40pm' about 1962 at around 60mph... a train on which I used to travel quite a lot, (any excuse) , passing a tablet station in the Manawatu. It's an Ajin Korea brass 1:64 model, 12v DC runs superbly. Cheers and back to PN. Edited December 4, 2020 by robmcg add date, add pictures 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 4, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 4, 2020 Back to only one image I'm afraid, owing to a complete lack of daylight over the last few days. This morning's forecast promised sunshine tomorrow, but alas it has changed back to cloudy. Here is Grantham A3 Galtee More arriving with the 7.30am Grantham- KX. 26 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold trw1089 Posted December 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 5, 2020 Really enjoying the reminiscing. A bit like Graham I was only 2 at the end of steam in Queensland (Dec 1969), so don’t remember anything about the steam era, but can vividly recall standing on the platform when one of our first generation English Electric 1200 class (built in Bradford amazingly) hauling what was called the Exhibition set of slam door Evans Cars suburban coaches pulled in. The coaches which were normally a Tuscan Red colour, had been painted a dark Hawthorn Green for use on shuttle services to our City’s Showgrounds. I’ve loved the sounds of English Electric’s ever since (they were engined with 12CSVTs the same as class 37s). My first view of real working steam was in China in 2012 and the thing that struck me most was how many different shades and textures were present on active revenue earning locos. Even in China it was obvious when a crew had a favourite engine, it would be looked after better, maybe a bit of polish, new paint or a special plaque, but it was also still weathered. Some pics here if anyone is interested in such things https://www.flickr.com/gp/trw1089/0w7E97. My first steam excursion was back in 1982, an all day trip behind a C17 4-8-0, the thing that captivated me most was the sound and smell of it, the hot oil, sulphourus coal smoke, it was just captivating. It hooked me bad, and really was the commencement of getting into the modelling hobby again. Hard to believe that was nearly 40 years ago now! Cheers Tony 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post great northern Posted December 5, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 5, 2020 Forecast changed again, and we have some brightness. It makes a real difference at this time of year. That means I may be able to advance the sequence a little, and take some photos. For the time being though, here is another look at Galtee More. 29 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bell Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 My story does not start out as a railway story. I think encountering an unexpected treat creates a vivid memory and so it is with this. I was golfing with my Dad at Carmuirs Golf Club near Falkirk. I liked playing there because it was next to the Edinburgh to Glasgow line just east of Camelon station. For three or four holes you are close to the railway so for forty minutes or so golf was combined with watching trains. The year is somewhere around 1975 which makes me about 14.There was always a steady stream of oil workings from Grangemouth, usually Class 37 hauled. In between these would be the local trains to Larbert, class 101 DMU's for the most part. You would also see class 20's and 25's. If it was a Sunday you would see the Class 27 push pulls running a 45 minute service between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The train comprised a class 27 at each end of a rake of 6 mk2 coaches. They were routed through Falkirk Grahamston on Sundays rather than their usual route through Falkirk High. On this particular late summer evening just as the sun was getting low in the sky the unexpected treat drifted into view. Caledonian Railway 439 0-4-4T no 419, resplendent in dark blue, drifted slowly past, light engine and bunker first. It was heading back to the SRPS depot in Falkirk I think from an event in Stirling. It was brought to a halt at an adverse signal for a few minutes. After a class 101 rasped away towards Falkirk the signal was pulled and 419 resumed its journey amidst a cloud of steam leaving behind the unique aroma of a steam locomotive for a few minutes more. What a memory! (I can't remember my golf score that day) Cheers David 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcock29 Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 12 hours ago, great northern said: Back to only one image I'm afraid, owing to a complete lack of daylight over the last few days. This morning's forecast promised sunshine tomorrow, but alas it has changed back to cloudy. Here is Grantham A3 Galtee More arriving with the 7.30am Grantham- KX. Galtee More my favourite A3, because Dad took me onto her footplate at K+. Must have been 1962 - 63. Of course she had a double chimney and smoke deflectors then. I've got two models of her, one as an A1 for late 30s which runs regularly on my layout and of course in the condition she was when I saw her. Andrew 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rail-Online Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Lovely weathering on Galtee. Tony 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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