Peterborough North

[TrevorP1]

It's really nice to hear from people who saw the real thing! One thing that intrigues me from your memories is this. Were there any elephants? I could try to recreate that. Does anyone do a kit for an elephant van?

I remember as a child seeing the elephants in a circus train stabled at Southampton Terminus. This would have been very late 50s or early 60s.

[davidw]

Time for more photos, but somehow we seem to have missed the elephants, if of course there were any.

 

Here is a study in Gresley front ends.

front ends.JPG

Sir Murrough is waiting to take over an incoming express, but not this one. It 's the next one, the 2.00pm Newcastle, brought in by a very shiny Lord Faringdon.

34.JPG

Isn't 60002 too clean? Edited April 4, 2018 by davidw

[31A]

I have seen some film recently of elephants being loaded onto a train in York, but can't find it now!  Anyway, here's a picture:

 

http://www.nrm.org.uk/ourcollection/photo?group=Liverpool%20Street&objid=1995-7233_LIVST_PM_183

 

Despite the caption, St. Botolphs is in Colchester.  It looks like a standard BR GUV in this case, but the railway companies also had vans designed to be able to carry elephants.

[31A]

Marsden Rail Volume 20, York & District, contains footage of a circus train unloading at Holgate.

 

 

That's the one - thank you!

[mullie]

I have seen some film recently of elephants being loaded onto a train in York, but can't find it now!  Anyway, here's a picture:

 

http://www.nrm.org.uk/ourcollection/photo?group=Liverpool%20Street&objid=1995-7233_LIVST_PM_183

 

Despite the caption, St. Botolphs is in Colchester.  It looks like a standard BR GUV in this case, but the railway companies also had vans designed to be able to carry elephants.

 

I believe the caption refers to the NRM collection it is in rather than the place where the photo was taken, not always helpful!

 

Martyn

[FarrMan]

Yes, I definitely remember elephants. At such a tender age at the time, and with how long ago it was, I can't remember every detail, and took no notice of the stock or loco at the time. Perhaps a search of the the local paper records would unearth a photo. They were the Peterborough standard and the Peterborough Citizen and Advertiser if my memory serves me correctly. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, I now live about 500 miles to the north of Peterborough, so do not have ready access.

 

I used to travel from Peterborough North to Nottingham Central changing at Grantham quite often, or if I missed the last train back, from Midland to North changing at Melton Mowbray. Again, though, a long time ago.

 

Lloyd

[great northern]

It is warm. We have wall to wall sunshine, and the course is open. I'm off, but not till you have your morning pictures. The train fronted by 60034 contains a triplet set, and I thought you might like a close up of one of those. Grovelling apologies are necessary to our duck, as I still haven't painted the roofs on this set which he generously built for me.

We now have two A4s at the North end, so a shot of that is a necessity.

 

I'm gone, elephant discussions will have to wait.

[great northern]

Yes, I definitely remember elephants. At such a tender age at the time, and with how long ago it was, I can't remember every detail, and took no notice of the stock or loco at the time. Perhaps a search of the the local paper records would unearth a photo. They were the Peterborough standard and the Peterborough Citizen and Advertiser if my memory serves me correctly. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, I now live about 500 miles to the north of Peterborough, so do not have ready access.

 

I used to travel from Peterborough North to Nottingham Central changing at Grantham quite often, or if I missed the last train back, from Midland to North changing at Melton Mowbray. Again, though, a long time ago.

 

Lloyd

 I thought there must be Lloyd, as they would be the major attraction of the procession to the circus site. I've no doubt that's why the train came to North, so that the show would pass through part of the City, which wouldn't happen if it had gone to East.

[great northern]

What a lovely day that was. Perhaps spring really has arrived. At PN, something really loud definitely has arrived.

Deltic is on its usual return diagram to London, while the A4 is backing on to its train.

 

Let's have another look through the arch.

[great northern]

Another nice morning, though it has to be spent appraising and at the osteopath, rather than playing golf or trains. At PN, it must be 1959, at least temporarily, as Deltic would not have been seen there before that.

While it roars away, waiting to leave, a B17 rolls in with the Ely- Birmingham. A completely unadulterated picture. Then we have a closer shot of the B17, in good old black and white.

[trw1089]

A black and white, and a B17, perfect!

[rowanj]

Isn't 60002 too clean?

A Youtube search for "trainspotting at Newcastle Central" will show, about half way in, 60034 looking absolutely filthy. The short video is well worth a look.

Edited April 6, 2018 by rowanj

[CUTLER2579]

A Youtube search for "trainspotting at Newcastle Central" will show, about half way in, 60034 looking absolutely filthy. The short video is well worth a look.

 

John,

I suspect 60034 would have been  transfered to New England by the date of this video. However thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Regards,Derek.

[davidw]

John,

I suspect 60034 would have been transfered to New England by the date of this video. However thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Regards,Derek.

Agreed

[great northern]

I think it is actually more likely that 60034 was at 64A St Margaret's when that film was shot. It was only at  New England for four months, and went North of the border in October 63. The video has a feel of 1964 to me. The photographer has expended quite a bit of film on what look like station pilot workings, plus goods on the avoiding lines. That suggests to me that there were very few big engines on show, just the A4 and one A3, and that on goods. If I remember correctly, a lot of the KX A4s transferred to New England went straight into store, which is not surprising, as there would have been little work for them to do. 34 went on to Aberdeen in May 64, so my money would be on the winter/spring of 63/4.

[Tony Wright]

I think it is actually more likely that 60034 was at 64A St Margaret's when that film was shot. It was only at  New England for four months, and went North of the border in October 63. The video has a feel of 1964 to me. The photographer has expended quite a bit of film on what look like station pilot workings, plus goods on the avoiding lines. That suggests to me that there were very few big engines on show, just the A4 and one A3, and that on goods. If I remember correctly, a lot of the KX A4s transferred to New England went straight into store, which is not surprising, as there would have been little work for them to do. 34 went on to Aberdeen in May 64, so my money would be on the winter/spring of 63/4.

I'd say late '63 Gilbert.

 

The loco has a streamlined non-corridor tender (acquired in January '63 when Scotsman got hers), and not long into 1964 60034 was on the Aberdeen-Glasgow expresses. 

[great northern]

Next in is the 2.15pm York and Hull, the return leg for that run down York A2/3.

while coming South we have more coal.

If I get just the right time of day, and just right light conditions, I can get some decent images at this end.

[Clive Mortimore]

I believe the caption refers to the NRM collection it is in rather than the place where the photo was taken, not always helpful!

 

Martyn

Hi Martyn

 

The station looks like the St Botolphs I knew in Colochester when the army thought it would do me good being there. You can see the terminating OLE above the GUV. 

 

The SR built some Elephant and Scenery cars for circuses using old coach underframes. The Elephant cars had reinforced floors and the Scenery cars were built with high roofs maximising the loading gauge. Otherwise they looked like bogie SR parcels stock.

[great northern]

This morning I can finally deal with Paul (Fenman)'s request to see the stock of my M&GN service. Here it is, being drawn in from the carriage sidings by the pilot.

As it is a short train, we can concentrate on each carriage in turn.

Arguably some of the stock is a bit posh, end door composite in particular, but this rake does get much more use than most of my stuff, so I can get to look at them more. Couplings are a factor too, as this is an all kadee rake. I'd really like to have one or two ancient specimens in here, but I think that by this late stage the really old carriages had all gone.

[60027Merlin]

Gilbert,

 

What a wonderful short rake of coaches. 

 

Pure 1950s railway atmosphere!  - another cracker - this time featuring "less is more".

 

Eric

[scottystitch]

Yes stunning rake of Gresleys.

 

The kadees in that serious of shots, almost gives the impression of vacuum hoses connected and hanging down between the carriages.

[great northern]

M&GN stock has now been placed into number 4 bay.

meanwhile Brancepeth Castle has come off the Ely - Birmingham, but has a forgetful fireman. Actually, it is another set of lamps that won't come off.

 

On the Up, another very famous train, which can now be entrusted to an A3, as a double chimney has transformed its performance.

 

[St Enodoc]

Ooooohhh the Claud again!  Going to have to get one.

 

 As an ex-HR Adviser - yes, John, I agree.  It's called management, and if the managers managed, there would be no need for them. /

Except when things change. Whenever I took on a new role it was invaluable to look at the appraisals (I prefer the term performance reviews) made by my predecessor.

[great northern]

This morning reveals more filth. Duke of Rothesay has the humble job of taking the 3.58pm to Grantham, and the further indignity of collecting the stock from the carriage sidings.

After waiting a while for the passengers, probably few, to board, the Duke now sets off.

 

Peter Leyland is due shortly, so I must get on with things, clearing up mainly. Lincoln City at Wembley this afternoon, but I won't be there.

[Fenman]

This morning I can finally deal with Paul (Fenman)'s request to see the stock of my M&GN service. Here it is, being drawn in from the carriage sidings by the pilot.

...

 

A bit late but - thank you! That’s a superb rake. Really lovely. I rarely feel jealous but that has me smitten.

 

Will you at some point in the timetable be assembling an ex-LMS rake too, for my selfish pleasure?

 

Paul