Peterborough North

[drmditch]

1 hour ago, great northern said:

Another A3, with an easy job this time, the 5.50 KX-Grantham stopper.

 

 

For some reason, this job was diagrammed for a Doncaster engine.

 

It is a most unusual shot for me to put on here, as it was taken under artificial light. I usually hate what the camera's white fluorescent setting gives me, but for some reason this one looks quite presentable. I've no idea why.

 

We shall also look at what is behind the tender, which won't take long.

 

 

 

 

Any excuse for showing these lovely Gresley coaches. Behind them, something more prosaic.

 

 

 

 

And a horsebox, we don't get many of those.

 

Please may I ask about the rules for horseboxes?

 

I seem to remember that (pre 1948) loaded livestock vehicles were supposed to be at the front of a train.

But perhaps I am getting confused about fitted/non-fitted vehicles and trains.

[landscapes]

8 hours ago, drmditch said:

 

Please may I ask about the rules for horseboxes?

 

I seem to remember that (pre 1948) loaded livestock vehicles were supposed to be at the front of a train.

But perhaps I am getting confused about fitted/non-fitted vehicles and trains.

Hi 

 

I think you are correct, Any vehicles carrying livestock were usually positioned directly behind the locomotive if possible.

 

Regards

 

David

[Oldddudders]

It is quite hard in 2021 to imagine a train sitting at KX with a horsebox on the stops. As it's a stopper, perhaps it was attached en route?

[31A]

10 hours ago, drmditch said:

 

Please may I ask about the rules for horseboxes?

 

I seem to remember that (pre 1948) loaded livestock vehicles were supposed to be at the front of a train.

But perhaps I am getting confused about fitted/non-fitted vehicles and trains.

 

Did that apply to empty horse boxes as well, or just loaded ones?

 

 

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

It is quite hard in 2021 to imagine a train sitting at KX with a horsebox on the stops. As it's a stopper, perhaps it was attached en route?

 

One of the stations on the Hertford Loop was a regular destination for horse boxes, I think off the top of my head it might have been Cuffley.

 

Some interesting stuff about horse boxes on here, including several pictures of trains to / from King's Cross which included them (although not in Gilbert's period):

 

https://www.steve-banks.org/prototype-and-traffic/129-horse-race-traffic

 

 

[great northern]

10 hours ago, drmditch said:

 

Please may I ask about the rules for horseboxes?

 

I seem to remember that (pre 1948) loaded livestock vehicles were supposed to be at the front of a train.

But perhaps I am getting confused about fitted/non-fitted vehicles and trains.

I'm following the formations shown in the HMRS survey of July 58, which shows that on two occasions during that week horseboxes were attached to this train, both at the rear. Both were detached here,as will be seen shortly, so that might be the reason? Operationally easier, I would think.

[great northern]

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

It is quite hard in 2021 to imagine a train sitting at KX with a horsebox on the stops. As it's a stopper, perhaps it was attached en route?

I haven't got the book in front of me, but I'm sure they were attached en route, at Sandy if my memory is correct. I'll check shortly. I got up late, so I haven't finished breakfast yet.

[great northern]

OK, so here is the next photo in the sequence, which shows the pilot removing the horsebox. Simpler than the A3 performing the shunting, don't you think?

 

 

[great northern]

OK, checked the book, and for once my memory was accurate, HBs were added to the train at Sandy, and detached at Peterborough. No passing loops at Sandy, so blockage of the main would have had to be kept to the minimum.  The HB came from Oxford via the Cambridge route. Then it would be shunted across to the GN, tucked into a siding, and added when the 5.50 arrived. Interesting though, as I don't think there was a standing pilot at Sandy, so what loco did the job?

 

Now I've read the small print at the bottom, so I can tell you on one day the HB was from Oxford to Peterborough, and two days later it ran from KX to Navenby, when it would have been detached at Grantham. Still shown as being at the rear of the formation though. This train was clearly used to get ECS around too. The core was four cars, but on successive days it loaded to 5,6,4 and 11. Tuesday had a sleeper first detached at Peterborough, though I can't think why that would have happened. On the Thursday, there were two of the RBs converted from GN thirds, destined for Cleethorpes. Were they for Cleethorpes-Manchester trains, I wonder? Two HBs and two vans in the formation that day too. And finally, I have just noticed that on the Tuesday another HB was on the train as far as Sandy. That one was destined for Holyhead! Fascinating.

[Mallard60022]

4 minutes ago, great northern said:

OK, checked the book, and for once my memory was accurate, HBs were added to the train at Sandy, and detached at Peterborough. No passing loops at Sandy, so blockage of the main would have had to be kept to the minimum.  The HB came from Oxford via the Cambridge route. Then it would be shunted across to the GN, tucked into a siding, and added when the 5.50 arrived. Interesting though, as I don't think there was a standing pilot at Sandy, so what loco did the job?

 

Now I've read the small print at the bottom, so I can tell you on one day the HB was from Oxford to Peterborough, and two days later it ran from KX to Navenby, when it would have been detached at Grantham. Still shown as being at the rear of the formation though. This train was clearly used to get ECS around too. The core was four cars, but on successive days it loaded to 5,6,4 and 11. Tuesday had a sleeper first detached at Peterborough, though I can't think why that would have happened. On the Thursday, there were two of the RBs converted from GN thirds, destined for Cleethorpes. Were they for Cleethorpes-Manchester trains, I wonder? Two HBs and two vans in the formation that day too. And finally, I have just noticed that on the Tuesday another HB was on the train as far as Sandy. That one was destined for Holyhead! Fascinating.

Speculate that the HB loco from Oxford way did the shunting. Timed to arrive so it didn't have to wait hours?

P

[great northern]

4 hours ago, Mallard60022 said:

Speculate that the HB loco from Oxford way did the shunting. Timed to arrive so it didn't have to wait hours?

P

Probably so Phil. All taking place about 7.00am, so not that busy, perhaps. Unless all the Up sleeping car trains were running very late, as apparently often happened.

[great northern]

And now we have another WD waiting on the Down slow.

 

 

[31A]

That's an impressive shot Gilbert, from a different angle!

 

[great northern]

Tagalie is still waiting as well, so there must be something due on the main. We shall have to wait and see.

 

 

[ikks]

On 17/12/2021 at 19:40, great northern said:

The 02 has also cleared section now, so the signalman can allow a tender first J6 to come off the engine road, and run down to south yard for a shunting shift.

 

 

This thread contains many exceptional photos but for me this the most evocative..........I could almost be standing on that platform...........brilliant.

Mike

[great northern]

So, what is everything waiting for? Just one of our local V2s, with a KX Goods- New England Class C.

 

 

Thank goodness the new ones will be arriving shortly. Mind you, this one has served faithfully for more than 25 years.

[great northern]

Another misty and murky morning here, but not at PN in the late summer of 58, where the V2 is able to proceed under clear skies.

 

 

[great northern]

It is now 8.33am, and the early local from March is bringing happy workers to the City.

 

 

[great northern]

We have two trains which should arrive at 0833. The other is from Kings Lynn, and has just beaten the B17 to arrive first.

 

 

[great northern]

You know me well enough by now to anticipate that I won't pass up an opportunity to photograph a B17 at platform 6.

 

 

[great northern]

That beautiful view is about to be obscured, as a 9F brings another load of coal along the Up slow, the main being occupied by the M&GN local.

 

 

[geoff west]

22 hours ago, great northern said:

You know me well enough by now to anticipate that I won't pass up an opportunity to photograph a B17 at platform 6.

 

 

My favourite shot on PN

[great northern]

1 hour ago, geoff west said:

My favourite shot on PN

Hmmm. Coincidence here! More about that tomorrow.

[great northern]

The 9F has the road, and can now block both Down and Up main lines again in order to get to the Up goods.

 

 

[landscapes]

9 hours ago, great northern said:

The 9F has the road, and can now block both Down and Up main lines again in order to get to the Up goods.

 

 

Hi Gilbert

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022 to you.

 

just a thought you have a wide variety of fabulous locomotives on Peterborough North but I cannot remember seeing a Britannia Class running on your layout.

 

Or have I just missed the times a photo was posted?

 

Regards

 

David

[KNP]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you....