Where's this?

[Peppercorn]

Good afternoon,

I attach a copy of the front cover of the March 1980 'Model Engineer' (No. 3632) and would like to make a painting of it: does anyone know where the photo was taken? Clearly Southern Region, electrified area, and is the first carriage a re-clad SECR coach? I'd like to visit and take some photos.

Thanks in anticipation,

Cliff

[Oldddudders]

The leading vehicle is a Maunsell open third, commonly used as a strengthener for sets.

[rodent279]

Position of the sun suggests the train is heading north, or at least towards London. Position of the camera suggests that the photo was not taken on a platform. That's about as far as I can go...... :-)

Edited June 19, 2017 by rodent279

[Davey]

Good afternoon,

I attach a copy of the front cover of the March 1980 'Model Engineer' (No. 3632) and would like to make a painting of it: does anyone know where the photo was taken? Clearly Southern Region, electrified area, and is the first carriage a re-clad SECR coach? I'd like to visit and take some photos.

Thanks in anticipation,

Cliff

 

I have no idea, but there's an interesting looking disused carriage at the top of the bank alongside the bridge. Perhaps someone will be able to identify the location from the disused carriage.

[melmerby]

What about the train reporting number and disc position?

Doesn't that give a clue to the route?

 

Keith

[stovepipe]

It is described as 'Down Kent Coast Express hauled by N Class 2' in the magazine index available from here.

 

http://www.groundlevel.demon.co.uk/me_index.html

[Southernman46]

Being fairly familiar with the area - I would like to offer Shortlands Junction just at the OB (Downs Bridge Road) where the 2 tracks from Beckenham Jn split into 4 through Shortlands station - the photo below is the best I could find to match the existing view on the cover. The conductor rail layout is the same and the confirming factor. The photographer will be stood in the Up cess or possibly within the carpark of some flats at that location.

 

http://railphotoprints.uk/p916501830/h7C70EB6E#h7c70eb6e

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4091546,-0.0065955,113m/data=!3m1!1e3

Edited June 19, 2017 by Southernman46

[melmerby]

Being fairly familiar with the area - I would like to offer Shortlands Junction just at the OB (Downs Bridge Road) where the 2 tracks from Beckenham Jn split into 4 through Shortlands station - the photo below is the best I could find to match the existing view on the cover. The conductor rail layout is the same and the confirming factor. The photographer will be stood in the Up cess or possibly within the carpark of some flats at that location.

 

http://railphotoprints.uk/p916501830/h7C70EB6E#h7c70eb6e

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4091546,-0.0065955,113m/data=!3m1!1e3

It certainly looks the part with a turnout alongside the loco and a three arch bridge.

 

Keith

[Peppercorn]

That's great - your knowledge and helpfulness astound me - thank you all very much.

Shortlands certainly looks the part, Southernman: I must gird my loins for a visit.

The photographer of the ME cover looks to have been quite close to the lines, and perhaps he was in a back garden. I see from the ME index, stovepipe, that it was one R C Riley, so, no mean photgrapher.

Again, my thanks

CliffH

Edited June 24, 2017 by Peppercorn

[Peppercorn]

I've made my initial watercolour sketch of the above scene, thought some might like to see it.

CliffH