flyingsignalman Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Some pics of Weston Rhyn taken 5/4/1980 showing the old block instruments Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 10, 2013 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2013 Some pics of Weston Rhyn taken 5/4/1980 showing the old block instruments I think some followers of this thread may recognise a well known (to us!) Freightliner character there ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingsignalman Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Wheatsheaf Jc..anyone ever seen that place? Never seen a pic or a diagram of it but the earthworks of the line towards Gwersyllt/Brymbo are still just about there... JF Here are a couple of views taken 18/3/1978 in the Wheatsheaf Jcn area. Looking towards the junction from an infilled overbridge on the Brymbo branch Turning around and looking towards Gwersyllt, where the line crossed over the ex GCR line, before going up an incline on its way through the Moss Valley and on to Brymbo. Looking south towards Wheatsheaf Jcn on the main line. I think the box was situated beyond where the bushes on the left are, opposite the house. There is a photo in RJ Blenkinsop's "Echos Of The Great Western" published 1973 by OPC. Plate 111 just about shows it partly hidden by the line of telegraph poles and No 4 signal. The box was abolished 4/4/1965 and according to the SRS was a GW type 7 structure. A sketch of the layout as it appeared in a GW Chester Division report of 1925. A locking sketch is available from the SRS that shows the layout at a similar date. The signal box diagram dated 1961. Looking north towards United Colliery SB from the same overbridge. An undated diagram of the GW box at United Colliery. The BR box replaced the GW box when it was burnt down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs. Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I think some followers of this thread may recognise a well known (to us!) Freightliner character there ... Our D.F! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman1 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 And will be retiring on March 28th . Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 12, 2013 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 12, 2013 And will be retiring on March 28th . Cheers Again ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Resuming our easterly progress, we have a couple of bits of history Thetford West Junction (closed 31 August 1963) seen on 17 October 1911 Image courtesy Mike Brooks collection An undated view of Roudham Junction (closed 8 July 1965) with an up express passing Image courtesy W J Naunton Harling Road on 27 August 1966 Eccles Road on the following day Attleborough on 30 August 1971 Spooner Row on 28 August 1966 Wymondham South Junction on 23 June 1974 Wymondham North Junction (closed 24 November 1963) on 7 October 1911 Image courtesy Mike Brooks collection No photo in the collection of Ketteringham at 115m 76¾ch on down side (closed 25 July 1955) Hethersett on 7 April 1969 No photo in the collection of Eaton Crossing at 120m 33ch on down side (closed 11 October 1965) And that completes our eastward progress for the time being Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Fitness Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Here are a couple of views taken 18/3/1978 in the Wheatsheaf Jcn area. 003.jpg Looking towards the junction from an infilled overbridge on the Brymbo branch 004.jpg Turning around and looking towards Gwersyllt, where the line crossed over the ex GCR line, before going up an incline on its way through the Moss Valley and on to Brymbo. 005.jpg Looking south towards Wheatsheaf Jcn on the main line. I think the box was situated beyond where the bushes on the left are, opposite the house. There is a photo in RJ Blenkinsop's "Echos Of The Great Western" published 1973 by OPC. Plate 111 just about shows it partly hidden by the line of telegraph poles and No 4 signal. The box was abolished 4/4/1965 and according to the SRS was a GW type 7 structure. Wheatsheaf Jcn 1925 report 001 (1200 x 658).jpg A sketch of the layout as it appeared in a GW Chester Division report of 1925. A locking sketch is available from the SRS that shows the layout at a similar date. Wheatsheaf Jcn 1961 001 (1200 x 709).jpg The signal box diagram dated 1961. 006.jpg Looking north towards United Colliery SB from the same overbridge. United Colliery 001 (1200 x 641).jpg An undated diagram of the GW box at United Colliery. The BR box replaced the GW box when it was burnt down. Many thanks for all the info ! It's always been a bit of a mystery to me where it was. I'm going to have to have a further look into it. It's funny, even though there were loads of boxes round this area and I've only lived in the area for about 10 years, it's always that box that's sort of spiked my interest... Still haven't found my copy of Pre-grouping signalboxes album..yet! Jf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingsignalman Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Jon, I'm glad the info was of use. The photo in Pre Grouping Signal Boxes Album that I think Dave is thinking about is of Brymbo Jcn, south of Gwrsyllt, on the ex-GC line to Bidston. Which gives me an excuse to post these two pics taken there on the same day as the Wheatsheaf ones. This view looking south to Wrexham shows, despite appearances, Dave just standing there waiting for me to take the photo before we walked over to Wheatsheaf Jcn. The line to Brymbo went off to the right behind the warehouse. I think the box site was just off the photo to the right. We are standing on the site of sidings that I think were laid in during WW2. Turning around and looking north across the sidings site to Gwrsyllt station; the dip the GCR line made to get under the GWR line can be seen. The retaining wall that supported the GWR line can be seen. At this point there was a small marshalling yard on the GW line that kept this part of the line open after the rest of it to Brymbo had shut. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Fitness Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Hi Keith, I had a look today and the earthworks at Rhosrobin are still there although now full of trees and the the bridge abutments at Gwersyllt are also still there. There are now houses either side of the line at Gwersyllt but up on the main Mold road next to the Wheatsheaf pub there is still what looks like a bridge parapet. Cheers JF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Some more shots taken at Gobowen. Some shots of the North box interior and train staff in 1987 after the box at the south had been closed. Some shots taken on 26/02/1985 a Met Cam on the 0915 Chester - Salop 56 070 Back to 1987 And finally, just humour me, mucking about with an old slide duplicator and merging two slides together Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Back once more to Ely North Junction, for a trip a a north westerly direction to the most interesting part of the GE system (no arguments please!) Here is Ely West Junction (closed 15 December 1929) on 15 December 1910 Picture courtesy Mike Brooks collection Chettisham on 10 July 1966 The rear of Black Bank on the same date Furlong Drove from a passing down train on 22 July 1968 Manea photographed from the same train Stonea box and station on 26 October 1911 Picture courtesy Mike Brooks collection Horsemoor on 5 April 1969 The next episode will tackle the delights of March.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Horsemoor on 5 April 1969 GE60-09-03.jpg A day too late for Nigel Rand, long time Horsemoor signalman and good friend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 The next episode will tackle the delights of March....Goods Central, Weighbridge? I don't think i've seen pictures of these. The picture of Ely West is the first i've seen, same for Extons Road. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Yes, we can do those! Further posting after weekend travels - Sheffield - Nottingham Model Railway Exhibition - London - Luton! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Meanwhile, back in Worcestershire....! Some views inside and out of Worcester Tunnel Junction 'box, the 'olde world' atmosphere inside which is still rather lovely... Nice to still see the original GWR pattern windows at the toilet end of the box... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Thanks Paul - in hindsight perhaps I should have started a seperate thread for the WR stuff elsewhere, but since we're already in for the duration, here's the next batch.... In this view we have 'TJ39' which is the depot exit signal, 'TJ17' which applies to the Down Main, with 'TJ19' and 'TJ16' both off for a train to come off the Foregate Street Branch and head through the tunnel to Droitwich. 'TJ16' is Tunnel Junction's section signal but has a small 'shunt ahead' arm beneath to allow shunting moves into the section... Rear view of 'TJ39' and 'TJ17', showing how close together they are and how they're positioned next to the depot exit line... quite a common practice on the GWR / WR... In this view 'TJ39' is off for a shunt move off the depot... 'TJ58' controls movements from the Down Through Siding onto the Down Main... spent many hours sitting here waiting for the road, absorbing the lovely surroundings on a warm Summer's evening... 'TJ18' is the one to watch out for when making northbound wrong direction moves from the Up Platform, as it's a right hander applying to the Up Main, the main arm controls movements out onto the Down Main whilst the ground disc on the left also applies in the same direction, but gives you permission to travel wrong direction along the Up Main towards the tunnel... More to come ;O) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Meanwhile, in darkest East Anglia, the visit to March is about to take place. The original March South box on 21 October 1911 at the junction of the Ely and St Ives lines. It opened in 1876 (Board of Trade inspection 19 June that year) and replaced 'March Loop Junction' box of November 1869 Photograph courtesy Mike Brooks Collection Next to be encountered was Nene Junction (of November 1869 also) on the up side on 21 October 1911. The bridge in the foreground is No.1820 over the River Nene Photograph courtesy Mike Brooks Collection The LNER box at March South Junction on the up side at 85m 37¾ch was opened on 14 March 1928 and was part of a rationalisation which led to the abolition of the GER South Junction and Nene Junction boxes. Here it is on 22 June 1974 On 18 October 1911, in amongst the activity of the Down and Up Yards to the south of March station, can be seen Weighbridge box, which was opened late in 1885 (BOT inspection 11 November that year). Track layout changes following experience of the effects of the full opening of Whitemoor Yard in February 1931 resulted in Weighbridge being abolished on 5 March 1933 Photograph courtesy Mike Brooks Collection March East Junction box apparently opened at the same time as Weighbridge (concurrently with the enlargement of March station) and replaced 'March Junction' box of 1874. Here it is on 22 November 1969 There was a March North Junction box in existence by November 1882 but its relationship to an early box known as 'Wisbeach Junction' is not known (by me, anyway!). The second March North Junction was another one provided as a result of the rebuilding of March station in 1885 and is seen here on 18 October 1911 Photograph courtesy Mike Brooks Collection For reasons unknown (again, to me..) March North Junction box had its superstructure rebuilt in 1950 and is seen here in its rebuilt state on 22 October 1966. It closed on 21 December 1975 And, finally (for this trip) a look at March West Junction on 5 April 1969. It also opened in 1885 in connection with the new March West curve from Whitemoor Junction and closed on 28 November 1987 Another 'Anatomy of a Signal' to come next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Some shots of Llandudno taken on Saturday 21/06/1986 47 585 County of Cambridgeshire on a Pullman charter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Anatomy of a signal No.2 - a little more elaborate than the previous one! The subject is the up homes bracket at March West, photographed on 22 June 1974. The crossing visible in the background is Norwood Road and the points to be seen are for the exit from the up loop. This loop appears to have been installed in the early 1930's, probably as a result of the increased traffic associated with the opening of the mechanised yards at Whitemoor, and unless anybody knows different I reckon this signal dates from then. A little look around Whitemoor next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrush Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Right, a bit of history in the Whitemoor area..... The Great Northern Railway line from Spalding to White Moor Junction on the GER March - Wisbech line was opened to goods on 1 April 1867 (to passengers on either 1 or 2 September, depending who you believe) with signal boxes at Norwood Junction, GN Goods Yard and White Moor junction. A shadowy box turns up in various paperwork - March Coal Junction (in operation by 1877 and closed in 1881) but its position is unknown. As a result of the formation of the GN&GE Joint Line, the line from Spalding was provided with interlocked signalling with boxes opening at all passenger stations stations, and at Twenty Foot River Siding in 1881. A new box was provided at Norwood Junction (25 levers) in 1882, at Grassmoor Junction (33 levers and replacing GN Goods Yard) in 1883 and at Whitemoor Junction (86 levers) in 1885. At an unknown date Whitemoor Sidings 'B', later Goods Central, opened (where was Whitemoor Sidings 'A'?). Most of this changed as a result of the expansion and mechanisation of Whitemoor yard (which opened between March 1929 and February 1931). Twenty Foot River Siding was extended in 1928 in order to allow its frame to be increased from 25 to 42 levers, a new 52 lever box was opened at Grassmoor Junction in 1930 and a new 140 lever Whitemoor Junction provided in 1928. So here we go with some of these, starting with the second Whitemoor Junction of 1885, seen here on 15 October 1911 and viewed from the precarious perch of the signal at the exit of the Empties yard. This and other pictures suggest that the box operated GE pattern signals on the brackets near Norwood Road bridge and on the Wisbech line, with GN somersaults for the yard exit and on the Joint line Photo courtesy Mike Brooks collection The complex layout at Whitemoor Junction on 22 October 1966, seen from Norwood Road bridge The third Whitemoor Junction box is seen here on 4 March 1967. It closed on 29 November 1987 One of the very few photos of Norwood Junction (second box) dated 8 May 1928, with construction work taking place on the new Up Yard in the background I have no views of either of the Grassmoor Junction boxes, but a view of the 1930 box can be found here http://shop.studio433.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1770 and the box diagram here http://www.flickr.com/photos/pwayowen/7851271772/ Goods Central box viewed from the Up Goods home signal on 23 October 1911 Photo courtesy Mike Brooks collection Twenty Foot River on 5 April 1969 with the 0150 ex Millerhill signalled onto the Up Hump, rather unusually for the period worked by a 'Crompton' Drawing dated 23 November 1927 for the enlargement of Twenty Foot River GERS Collection The second box at Twenty Foot River (opened 31 March 1974, closed 29 November 1982) seen on 16 March 1983 And that's it folks, we'll tackle the GE area at Peterborough next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted March 20, 2013 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2013 Twenty Foot River on 5 April 1969 with the 0150 ex Millerhill signalled onto the Up Hump, rather unusually for the period worked by a 'Crompton' GE61-03-64.jpg Looks like a Peak to me Andy. Thanks for sharing your photos, excellent stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted March 20, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2013 The second March North Junction box picture strikes me as showing something rather unusual - and interesting from a modeller's point of view. The junction between the lines in the foreground, which is actually just below the bottom of the image, is situated well within the platforms. Those who fancy a junction but are a bit pressed for space (who isn't?!) might find this gives those extra few inches they need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 20, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2013 The second March North Junction box picture strikes me as showing something rather unusual - and interesting from a modeller's point of view. The junction between the lines in the foreground, which is actually just below the bottom of the image, is situated well within the platforms. Those who fancy a junction but are a bit pressed for space (who isn't?!) might find this gives those extra few inches they need. Not that unusual surely Ian - or am I just used to spending years on the platforms at York and my local branch junction (Twyford - below) where exactly the same applies? Here at Twyford - picture taken on 05 February 2013 - you can see the point in the Up Relief and if you look carefully you can make out the signal which applies to it for Down trains hiding under the canopy. The odd looking position of the signal head on TR114 betrays the site (to its right) of the former Position 4 JI immediately on its right which applied to the facing point, long since recovered, in the Down Relief which had its switch toes parallel with the connection in the Up Relief. Peculiarly when the head was renewed on TR114 it was not moved out to the end of the short bracket to improve sighting under the footbridge and platform canopy - maybe the cable was too short? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Nice shot there Mike - and it's a good example showing the mix of the old, the slightly less old, and the new all in one frame... old GWR canopy, slightly less old BR era colour light signal post, and new LED signal heads! I'd love to have the space to do a Thames Valley station justice in 4mm, either something based on one individual station, or a mish mash of all of them set 'somewhere west of Paddington...' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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