Water Orton

[46256]

My favourite photograph taken by Andy Y for the feature in BRM, a kit master garratt adapted to the straight bunker variant 47998. It is powered by portescap motors, comet Fowler 264t chassis modified. I never saw the garratt locomotives, the last one was scrapped when I was one years old. The station though, the walkway down from the entrance on the Minworth Road Bridge. On Saturday mornings Dad would take me to the station. He would book in his racing pigeons in baskets,  this meant going into the booking office and placing them on scales. I remember the porter Sam Woodbine.  On completing the paperwork Dad and I walked down those stairs and onto the platform. We had to wait to at least one train had gone through…in those days not very long!  There is a stupid entry on Wikipedia concerning the walkway…it’s kink was put there by a freak tornado….no it was always there but until sadly, the station platform buildings were demolished in the 1990s it wasn’t apparent! I love this shot not just for the loco but the feeling of being back on that platform.

Edited August 20, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

The two totems…replicas sadly, bought for me by my lovely wife, to mark two significant birthdays. They adorn my loft wall,  directly over the stowage sidings.  The latter photo a modified RTR creating a B 16/3…coach a mousa models dia 144 Gresley restaurant car. The kit master Single displayed to remember my Dad…he built this kit, for me when I was seven. I saw this version made up at Warley and duly purchased. The compound a GBL static. The Johnson Single is now safely in my display case, it’s place taken by another static GBL ..Princess. The wonky chimney was on my earlier model of the station masters house…now replaced by a totally new, more accurate model

Edited August 20, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

When modelling an actual station, it can be quite a challenge not least reflecting the number of changes that occurred, on site during a given period.  The station sign “Water Orton” alongside the walkway can be seen located at the end of the platform in some photographs…early fifties. It appears to have been moved to this location as per Andy’s  photo about 1960. This of course makes a nonsense of the Garratt going past it. I decided early on that I would model the station as it was circa 1960. The stock I run on the layout generally fall between 1950 to 1976… even then that can be flexible! I even run electric locomotives, coupled though to diesels pulling them and the train.This replicates the real thing, when Trent Valley diversions are in place. One other matter that tends to date a scene, the East junction signal box. The original Midland wooden box was replaced by modern BR type in 1962. In fact there are pictures dated August 1962 of the two in situ. The Midland box was also titled Station Junction, the BR one East Jct.

Edited August 20, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

Class 5 on freight taking the fast lines to Kingsbury and Derby. The photo taken by my friend Don Taggart whilst sitting on the wall of the Dog Inn car park. It was a great vantage point especially as in this shot a fast moving train went past

[46256]

Here is another of Dons photos, from the same vantage point, this time looking to the left. A WD on a down freight off the fast lines over East Junction and on towards Washwood Heath

Edited September 13, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

Photographs from two totally different sources. The Cravens unit travelling over East jct from Leicester towards the station and Birmingham was sent to me by Michael Mensing. I had contacted him if he had any unpublished photos of Water Orton. This is one he sent me, a true gent sadly missed. The second photo was given to me by a gent called Colin Green. He had complied a historic photo record of the village. I have no idea of where he obtained it. It looks like a personal photograph. I estimate it was taken in the late forties, early fifties…I cant remember the little ornamental gardens existing when I knew the station in the sixties. I can also assume the photographer had climbed onto the signal to take it.

Colin also had a photograph of a group of villagers gathered at the same location on the platform awaiting a train to take them on an excursion. I am sorry to say I didn’t take a copy…it had too little railway infrastructure for my research. I regret it now as it was an important social record. It also reminds me when as a three year old I accompanied my mother, and our elderly next door neighbour on one such trip to Rhyl. I do have a photo of me on a donkey on that beach being looked after by mum. I won’t share.

Edited September 13, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

How modelling a real location can catch you out.

 

Three photographs of Water Orton East ( Station) junction signal box. The first from the fifties shows the original Midland titled Station junction. The second with the B1 passing I believe shows it’s BR replacement, as first built.  I think you can stillsee the Midland box still in situ, obscured by the smoke from the locomotive. It is further interesting as the new box did not remain in this configuration for long. The end top wooden panel was subsequently replaced by glazing as shown in my last photo, and how I remember it best. The train passing is my rtr bash of a B 16/3 and Gresley kitchen car, as seen in my earlier post. I’ve reused it to show how the signal box changed The loco started life as a Hornby B12. You may think this loco is out of place on my Midlands layout, there is a record however of one on Saltley shed in the fifties. 

Edited September 22, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

To emphasise the above three more views of both boxes. The first two show the revised window configuration of the new box. The second photo caused me a great deal of consternation. The crossover is located further towards the Minworth Road bridge than it had been previously. I think this was done during the changeover to the power signalling being controlled from Saltley power box in 1969. The original crossover was nearer the footbridge and is how I’ve modelled the location

[46256]

This photo again taken by Mr York shows the crossover in question in its pre 69 position…. Might not be the best way to describe, anyway prior to being moved, located by the original signal box. This structure is witnessing two Caprotti variant class 5s, go past.

The furthest a DJH std, on the fast lines to Derby, the nearest a Comet low footplate model en route to Brum. The Midland box was at the time of this photo, incorrectly signed East Junction. The model now has the correct Station Jct wording, East junction is on the sign of its BR replacement.

Edited September 22, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

I’ve just been studying this photo taken from the Minworth Road bridge clearly showing the crossover nearer the footbridge as modelled. On further study there doesn’t appear to be any signal box! I’m sure this is an illusion created by the drifting smoke caused by the loco. In reality both boxes were in situ for a short time, before the Midland one was demolished. The later BR one has also met the same fate in recent years. I’m pleased to say I can replicate the scene of both of them being there with models of both . I have also modelled both West box and Sidings cabin. One final point the huts shown in the model photo are were they were moved to make way for the yet to be constructed BR box, and therefore incorrect when the Midland box is shown as there on its own. It is one reason I havnt attempted point rodding as it would be set up differently for each cabin. The joy of real location modelling

Edited September 22, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

Three photos sent to me by my good friend Don Taggart.  They are circa  early 1969. The yards closed and exit line from them now disused. Semaphores still in place so pre switch on of the Saltley power box in that year. In fact a colour light is in place on the platform. This caused me some confusion as I assumed this was a direct replacement for the semaphore. I therefore located my signal there. These photos showed that it was nearer the Minworth Road bridge, so mine had to be moved further back on the model. The now sadly demolished platform buildings…what a loss. 

[46256]

A Sunday Trent Valley diversion, Bachmann class 81, pushing an unpowered class 25 in this case. I’m not sure of the accuracy of this scene, not sure if a solitary class 25 would have been tasked with this…maybe a pair…or more likely a class 47. I have no notes and / or reliable memories of the early seventies …(other distractions if I recall occupied my thoughts)  I’ve seen later pictures mid eighties and definitely class 47 hauled,( with 86 or class 87)  of course by then both class 81 and 25 were either extinct, or about to become so. The footbridge is scratchbuilt , using brass and phos bronze strip for the lattice work. It also features mum and I watching the trains.. Head on view, also showing the catch point by the bridge. A subsequent photo showed this located further along on the Derby side of the bridge by the fence of the Dog Inn. I’ve also now relocated it.

Edited October 2, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

And here we are about 1962

[46256]

My take on the view captured by Dons photos, a look over the Minworth Road bridge towards Birmingham and the yards. The signal on the platform prior to being moved nearer the bridge.

Edited October 2, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

Another shot over the Minworth Road bridge, this time a short while before that taken by Don. It’s early 68, diesels are now in charge D161 on an up express, D9 leaving the yards which are still in operation….just. On the down fast a pair of class 27 travel light engine to Washwood Heath. The semaphore now occupying its correct position.

[46256]

Just down the line from Water Orton, the glory that was Saltley MPD circa 1962

[46256]

“Strangers in paradise “

 

16th February 1963…. Trigo… the loco most likely, to have been seen earlier passing Water Orton West box, and photographed by signalman Vic Smith.

 

The photographer of the view below, recording the New Street scene, a BR employee at the time. He was working in offices near to New Street. A colleague based at Saltley, rang him saying “ You won’t believe what has just passed Saltley  en route to New Street…”

 

A quick dash to the station, he was, and still is an enthusiast, camera in hand. This was the result…unbelievably a B1 was alongside, giving a view more reminiscent of York rather than Brum!

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by 46256

[46256]

In addition to sourcing the fantastic view of the A3 in New Street, my mate Don Taggart has just sent this taken Feb 1983.
 

You cannot replicate this view now. He is standing  looking towards Water Orton village, with Hams Hall at his rear, Marsh Lane to the right, HST on the fast lines to Tamworth, then Derby…A446 Lichfield Road bridge also behind him.

 

The reason, the field in which he is standing is now the M 42 motorway. Progress?

[46256]

Don took the photo of Scotsman.It had been on my layout thread but lost during the changes. The date is 29 th September 1968. The loco needs no introduction. It has been added here, as a record of another matter. The lights seen running to the right, along what was the walkway down from the Minworth Road bridge, past the stowage sidings and then to the main yards. These lights were a recent addition added just before closure of the yards in August 1968. They were clearly removed as seen in the later 1969 shot of the class 27s . This was taken by another friend Paul Gieron

[franciswilliamwebb]

On 30/11/2022 at 15:40, 46256 said:

In addition to sourcing the fantastic view of the A3 in New Street, my mate Don Taggart has just sent this taken Feb 1983.
 

You cannot replicate this view now. He is standing  looking towards Water Orton village, with Hams Hall at his rear, Marsh Lane to the right, HST on the fast lines to Tamworth, then Derby…A446 Lichfield Road bridge also behind him.

 

The reason, the field in which he is standing is now the M 42 motorway. Progress?

 

https://goo.gl/maps/w4SNHihBSi5qjjyQA It's certainly lost some of it's charm these days😄

 

[46256]

Latest Hornby 9f 92167, one of the Saltley trio fitted with Berkeley mechanical stokers, about to set out with the 4 40 pm Water Orton to Carlisle. A fuller post on my Water Orton Layout and stock thread in kit building and scratch build

[46256]

Another seasonal view. Peaks, Hams Hall and Mk 1s all memories…the view today would now be obliterated by the M42 
Photo looking in the opposite direction to that of the HST, and clearly a different season

Edited January 5, 2023 by 46256

[franciswilliamwebb]

 

The same viewpoint some decades earlier - my scan from a slide by the late John Evans.  John wasn't a great one for recording details unfortunately!

[46256]

Fantastic photo some more from roughly the same location fast lines to and from Derby

[46256]

Some colour views taken from the footbridge by the Dog Inn looking at East jct Fast lines to Derby on the left,  slow lines to Leicester on right. The 4f with short train, and 8f with guards vans will reverse a short way further past the jct, then use the crossover on the slow lines to return towards Birmingham. The crossover on the fast lines which can be seen in photos was rarely used, I can only recall one occasion when I saw such a manoeuvre.  The small triangle of land where the signal gantry is situated was known locally as the “spinney”. On examining the 1924 version of the os map, it would appear this area was used for small sidings during construction of the 1908 cut off ( fast) lines to Kingsbury to the left. These sidings were accessed from the slow lines a short way further up from the crossover.

 

The dog wall inhabited by a fine array of spotters!

 

In my regular posts to my good friend John Rowan, we have discussed the arrival of the TT range from Hornby. We both agree we have invested too much in OO to consider a change now. I did comment however that I do regret lack of loft space has left me unable to model East junction. If I were to commence this model now with my available space then N gauge would be seriously considered especially as a good representation of motive power and stock for my era is available. It would however, I think, curtail my main enjoyment of the hobby which is building and adapting locomotives and stock. I have never attempted 2 mm kits, so this is just an assumption. I would however have the compensation is seeing trains rattle over those crossings again.

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by 46256