Peterborough North

[great northern]

Did you ever settle on doing a sleeper?

 I'd like one David, and I've even bought some Bachmann Mk1s, but neglected to realise that they have yellow first class stripes. I've got rid of those before, but whether my eyes are up to it now is another matter, so they languish some where under the layout. I'd like a rake of Gresley and Thompson cars even more, but the expense is prohibitive.

[great northern]

The shift is nearly over for the crew of this J50, returning from south yard with a few wagons in tow, and first seen from our new vantage point by the signal box.

Vans have appeared on the lengthened siding behind the J50, another generous gift, this time from our regular visitor, Juke. Just what I needed, though if he doesn't mind they will get a good dose of weathering. The J50 is running on the Up main, and is next seen somewhat further north.

[davidw]

I'd like one David, and I've even bought some Bachmann Mk1s, but neglected to realise that they have yellow first class stripes. I've got rid of those before, but whether my eyes are up to it now is another matter, so they languish some where under the layout. I'd like a rake of Gresley and Thompson cars even more, but the expense is prohibitive.

I think gaugemaster did possibly still do a paint stripper which will lift the yellow stripe. The black orange line would still need to be reinstated. Not difficult but a right pain. I did get a couple of Thompson sleeper sides off bill bedford, but sold them when I realized that they were 66 on 63 ft long, making conversion difficult or a full build likely to require a lot of scratch building, which I'm not up to. I opted for mk1s Edited June 11, 2018 by davidw

[manna]

G'Day Folks

 

Just a thought after the mention of sleepers, is Peterborough, set up for night running ?? station and buildings have lights installed. Would be great to see it at night again, I've seen the real Peterborough, more times in the dark than I ever saw it in daylight.

 

manna 

[juke]

It's great to see these vans getting some use (and their moment of fame ) and I'm looking forward to seeing them well work worn.

[great northern]

G'Day Folks

 

Just a thought after the mention of sleepers, is Peterborough, set up for night running ?? station and buildings have lights installed. Would be great to see it at night again, I've seen the real Peterborough, more times in the dark than I ever saw it in daylight.

 

manna 

 I believe Peter and I did discuss the possibility some time in the dim and distant past, but, as I recall, we worried about heat being generated under that roof, which might not be good for the plastics from which it is made. It's another level of complication in any event, and one which had to come low down on a list of priorities, so I doubt it will ever happen. Perhaps if one day I survey the scene and decide there is nothing else to be done.

[great northern]

Another load of coal has been slipped in on the Up, but this time only with a six minute margin before the Talisman is due. This driver will be going onto the slow line as soon as he gets through the station.

For some reason, this came out a bit blurred. Perhaps I forgot to set delay on the camera, and it moved a bit when I pressed the button. Who knows. Anyway, it is a nice view, so I've tried to save it, and it's OK if you don't blow it up too much.

 

We now know where we can get a good broadside view of any engine.

[great northern]

Still making my way through the thread - only about 18 months to go before I'm at where I joined.

 

Your imaginary story of Mrs Miggins reminded me of an event in the '70's.

 

A friend of my Mum's was coming out from Colchester to visit us at Marks Tey. She knew she had to catch the Sudbury train, which left from the up bay platform at Colchester North Station. So she walked up and got in the first carriage she came to , sat down and waited. A while later a station porter saw her and asked what she was waiting for. She explained she was on her way to visit her friend at Marks Tey, and was waiting for the train to leave. The porter informed her that the train had already left! She was in a DMU that was just stabled there - the train DMU had been in front!!

 

She panicked and said what can she do, her friend (my Mum) would be waiting and wondering what happened to her. The staff got her on the next up Norwich service and stopped this specially at Marks Tey for her to get off!

 

Can you imagine this happening now?

 Lovely story, thank you. No, I can't see it happening now. I suspect and hope that there are still some people who would like to help, but sadly they would have no flexibility in their job descriptions to allow them to do so. Mind you, at least she would now be able to use her mobile to tell her friend what had happened. If she had one, that is. A mobile, I mean, not a friend.

[TrevorP1]

Still making my way through the thread - only about 18 months to go before I'm at where I joined.

 

Your imaginary story of Mrs Miggins reminded me of an event in the '70's.

 

A friend of my Mum's was coming out from Colchester to visit us at Marks Tey. She knew she had to catch the Sudbury train, which left from the up bay platform at Colchester North Station. So she walked up and got in the first carriage she came to , sat down and waited. A while later a station porter saw her and asked what she was waiting for. She explained she was on her way to visit her friend at Marks Tey, and was waiting for the train to leave. The porter informed her that the train had already left! She was in a DMU that was just stabled there - the train DMU had been in front!!

 

She panicked and said what can she do, her friend (my Mum) would be waiting and wondering what happened to her. The staff got her on the next up Norwich service and stopped this specially at Marks Tey for her to get off!

 

Can you imagine this happening now?

 

 

This tale reminds me of a story about my parents when they went on their honeymoon in 195. Mum told me many years later but didn't elaborate too much (!) but I can assure everyone that this is true.

 

They were at Liverpool Street on their way to Clacton. They were directed to a train and found a quiet compartment. The train moved off and stopped stopped shortly after. With no movement at all Dad eventually popped his head out of the window. They had been on an empty stock train and were now in a carriage siding. Mum assured me that the whole lot was shunted back into the station so they could get off!

 

I always remember Mum panicking when we had to change trains on our holiday journeys. I wonder why..?

[great northern]

For those who are interested in my back stage machinations, here is what has happened in the spurs at the front of the fiddle yard. Those at the south end have for some time contained brake coaches, but one sour was occupied by a rake of four end door seconds. They have gone into a cassette, which means I can now gather all brakes bar one into a small area.

Left hand spur holds 4 compartment brakes, the centre one 3 compartment brakes plus a BSO, and the third one, partially hidden by a point motor, brake composites. It doesn't matter if one fouls the end of another, as they are usually crane shunted anyway.

 

At the other end, catering cars have gone into a cassette, leaving this arrangement.

From the left, composites, (some are out at work), then second opens, two spurs full of corridor seconds, and finally the posh end, first corridors and a first open.

 

This should be easier than scrabbling about in a drawer, at least I hope it will.

[great northern]

One last look at the WD, which has nearly reached the turnout to the Up slow.

This is already doing what I hoped it would. It's surprising what strategically placed vans can do. We are nowhere near finished in this corner either.

 

Within a couple of minutes the goods has been dragged out of the way, which is good, as the Talisman shortly comes into view.

Two Gateshead A4s on view at the same time. Long after the spotters have gone home, of course, and back in 58 it would be long after they were in bed too.

[great northern]

Golf at Burghley Park today, nowhere near a railway for once, but a very nice setting, and a lovely day, so much to enjoy. It would be good if the golf matched up to the surroundings.

 

We can have another look at the Talisman.

 

and then focus in on some of the more interesting parts of its formation.

 

Time to get ready to go.

[FarrMan]

I remember catching the Colchester Glasgow train one evening in 1962 or 1963 I think, in a party to a Boys Brigade camp in Largs. Left PN at 9.15pm from memory, arriving in Glasgow Queen Street at about 5.00 or 6.00am. Then by coach to Largs. Camp sight was next to line into Largs - all standard tanks at that time. Can't remember what motive power or stock on Colchester - Glasgow, though. But all that steam still active, to disappear so soon.

 

Lloyd

[great northern]

Nice day, poor golf, ate my annual sausage. No more to be said really. I'm fixated on this view at the moment.

But then I tried something more experimental.

Not the finished article, but I think this can be made to work, especially if the loco is allowed to move a bit further onward, and thus straighten up a bit.

 

[great northern]

The 7.05pm parcels off KX. Portions or single vans for just about everywhere, and mostly composed of Vanfits. Nevertheless I was up for the challenge, goodness knows why, as it involved raiding three different cassettes to get sufficient vans together. Mons Meg had the job, as can be seen here.

Having done all that faffing about, and with the reverse to do after the train had made one circuit of the layout, I decided that the event should be fully recorded.

I wasn't going to photoshop the same view three times. One or two comments. I'm glad I took the trouble, as it does make a nice train. Will I do it again? Dunno. The Gresley non corridor brake towards the end is specified as being stove fitted, so I have assumed that is where the guard would be. And it was worth doing all that individual weathering and slightly different paint mixes to so many of those Vanfits.

[Mallard60022]

The 7.05pm parcels off KX. Portions or single vans for just about everywhere, and mostly composed of Vanfits. Nevertheless I was up for the challenge, goodness knows why, as it involved raiding three different cassettes to get sufficient vans together. Mons Meg had the job, as can be seen here.

22 504.JPG

Having done all that faffing about, and with the reverse to do after the train had made one circuit of the layout, I decided that the event should be fully recorded.

23 parcels 1.JPG

24 parcels 2.JPG

25 parcels 3.JPG

I wasn't going to photoshop the same view three times. One or two comments. I'm glad I took the trouble, as it does make a nice train. Will I do it again? Dunno. The Gresley non corridor brake towards the end is specified as being stove fitted, so I have assumed that is where the guard would be. And it was worth doing all that individual weathering and slightly different paint mixes to so many of those Vanfits.

Only thing I would say G is that if this train appears only once every blue moon why not let it circuit several times, photting in different places and admiiring your work and checking the vans for wibble ......... or similar habits. It will also give the loco a bit of a work out and keep the lube active (bit like us really) .

Philth 

[Sandhole]

Only thing I would say G is that if this train appears only once every blue moon why not let it circuit several times, photting in different places and admiiring your work and checking the vans for wibble ......... or similar habits. It will also give the loco a bit of a work out and keep the lube active (bit like us really) .

Philth 

Totally agree with that!

You have great self control sir! I couldn't let it go past once, but then I have a ting for the 'Odd 'Thompson pacifics!

                                                    Chris.

[thegreenhowards]

The 7.05pm parcels off KX. Portions or single vans for just about everywhere, and mostly composed of Vanfits. Nevertheless I was up for the challenge, goodness knows why, as it involved raiding three different cassettes to get sufficient vans together. Mons Meg had the job, as can be seen here.

22 504.JPG

Having done all that faffing about, and with the reverse to do after the train had made one circuit of the layout, I decided that the event should be fully recorded.

23 parcels 1.JPG

24 parcels 2.JPG

25 parcels 3.JPG

I wasn't going to photoshop the same view three times. One or two comments. I'm glad I took the trouble, as it does make a nice train. Will I do it again? Dunno. The Gresley non corridor brake towards the end is specified as being stove fitted, so I have assumed that is where the guard would be. And it was worth doing all that individual weathering and slightly different paint mixes to so many of those Vanfits.

Wonderful train Gilbert with a great mix of vanfits. So many parcels trains on modelrailways are formed of BGs only, so it’s great to see how it really was. Do you have any evidence for the type of vanfit used, or was it just whatever came to hand?

 

Andy

[great northern]

Only thing I would say G is that if this train appears only once every blue moon why not let it circuit several times, photting in different places and admiiring your work and checking the vans for wibble ......... or similar habits. It will also give the loco a bit of a work out and keep the lube active (bit like us really) .

Philth 

Never occurred to me Phil. I have become too set upon the path of righteousness.

[great northern]

Wonderful train Gilbert with a great mix of vanfits. So many parcels trains on modelrailways are formed of BGs only, so it’s great to see how it really was. Do you have any evidence for the type of vanfit used, or was it just whatever came to hand?

 

Andy

All the formations book says is 10 tonners Andy. I just put together what I could easily find. I agree that it looks much better than just a rake of BGs.

[great northern]

When the Delaval Sidings- Holloway ECS appears we know the end of the sequence is nigh. Often Pacific hauled, but this time it is a Doncaster 9F.

 

Our man is levitating again. Another trip down the A1 tomorrow, as I managed to leave a golf club lying about  at Burghley yesterday. Fortunately a nice honest gentleman handed it in.

[Jack P]

Your model of 'Mons Meg' is fantastic, but wowee, the prototype has a very ungainly side profile!

[great northern]

The A1 calls, but there is time to show you that 9F going round the bend.

 

Our photographer didn't have to move, as he could hear a northbound train approaching. It turned out to be the 8.05pm FO KX- Newcastle, with Top Shed A3 Tracery in charge.

[Fat Controller]

Wonderful train Gilbert with a great mix of vanfits. So many parcels trains on modelrailways are formed of BGs only, so it’s great to see how it really was. Do you have any evidence for the type of vanfit used, or was it just whatever came to hand?

 

Andy

The Vanfits would be whatever came to hand, and was in reasonable condition (not recently loaded with strongly-smelling cargo, and not having a leaking roof covered with a tarpaulin); until TOPS allowed them to be followed more closely, a van was a van was a van. More specialised vans, notably those branded 'FRUIT', might be used only seasonally, and stored for the rest of the time, some in places quite close to Peterborough (Whitemoor and Marshmoor, for example), so these might be used out-of-season. They had the bonus of internal shelving to make loading easier.

[Mallard60022]

The A1 calls, but there is time to show you that 9F going round the bend.

4 9F 4.JPG

 

Our photographer didn't have to move, as he could hear a northbound train approaching. It turned out to be the 8.05pm FO KX- Newcastle, with Top Shed A3 Tracery in charge.

5 59 1.JPG

I really like an A3 with DC and GN tender, almost as much as I like a Modified MN with 6.5gal tender (Big Boy's trolly).

P