Jamie Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 All sorts of interest in this shot of a Waverley bound train: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=33252 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fegguk Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Advanced ground works a Kiln Knowe. A taste of things to come as the area and others are now fenced off, soon it won't be a dissused railway walk. 2nd photo is last year 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fegguk Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 European loan to part finance the Borders Railway. We will need to have a whip round for the rest http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Borders-Railway-European-finance-boost Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 Hi 64B, No double track here All to be single track with passing places. From the recent row of pegs in the trackbed it looks like they are taking the centre line of the existing track bed as the route. Thanks From memory, the centre-line of the complete formation is often pegged out during surveying. I remember the tunnel approach at Moor Street having similar treatment before receiving double-track in the mid eighties. Granted however, that much of the new WR will be single. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
62440 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Waverley Route vs Borders Railway – distances old and new I've no problem with the similar distances from Waverley to the (new) Eskbank or the old Eskbank of BR days, however in the case of Newtongrange, according to BR WTT, it was 9 miles and 56 chains. ie 9.7 miles from Waverley (this agrees with Dalhousie - at 8 miles and 79 chains - which it replaced). But, according to Transport Scotland, the (new) Newtongrange will be at 15km (9.3 miles) from Edinburgh Waverley. From these distances, it would appear that the new Newtongrange is actually nearer Edinburgh by 0.4 miles. I'm confused by the Transport Scotland: "This station is adjacent to the Scottish Mining Museum, a visitor attraction built around the Lady Victoria Colliery. The station has direct access from the A7." … which to my mind would make it a tad further away from Edinburgh than the old BR Newtongrange and therefore I'd expect a greater distance from Edinburgh than the old Newtongrange! (For completeness Lady Victoria was 10 miles 23 chains.) On checking others: Stow (new) 42 km (26 miles) vs Stow (BR WTT) 26 miles 52 chains (26.65 miles) ~ ie the new station will be 0.65 miles nearer Edinburgh (is it to be a new station site?) Galashiels (new) 52.6km (32.7 miles) vs Galashiels (BR WTT) 33 miles 43 chains (33.53 miles) ~ ie the new station will be 0.83 miles nearer Edinburgh (again, a new station site?) If the datum position for measuring had been changed, I could (almost) accept these last two but not the (new) Newtongrange. Is there going to be some straightening out of the track to lessen the mileage? Any comments? Bruce 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I was down at Longniddry Bents walking the dog with the family on Sunday. Did not have much time to take a look at the route, just up north for the weekend, but did look out for various points while in the car. Not sure of the exact route but a couple of things did cross my mind. Major alterations at Waverley could mean a change of datum. The point that I was going to bring up on here was how is the new line going to cross the Edinburgh Southern Bypass, the A720? As far as I can see the road cuts the old line over quite a wide area due to the angle of the crossing. I did not see any signs of a bridge. Might have got it totally wrong but I think I was looking in the right place and the OS map agrees with this line of thought. Of course if the line is to be single the distance could change depending on how the double track was measured. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shed64a Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 The new route looks to have a slight alignment difference to the original route, this map from Midlothian council shows the new route through Sherifhall in red. http://www2.midlothian.gov.uk/images/pdfs/MLP%20Waverley%20North%202008.pdf This might explain the difference in distance. The new Newtongrange station is only about 150- 200 yards further south than the original. It is on the other side of the A7 road bridge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fegguk Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I drive through this village every day on my way to work in Kelso. This was probably the last time something interesting happend here. See attached pdf. All that remains here to day is the wall loading bank under the brambles. Photo added after recent visit looks like the loading bank could still be used to load tatties into a waggon. Towards the viaduct there is the cut off base of a signal. BoT_HeitonGoods18Nov1865.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 The point that I was going to bring up on here was how is the new line going to cross the Edinburgh Southern Bypass, the A720? As far as I can see the road cuts the old line over quite a wide area due to the angle of the crossing. I did not see any signs of a bridge. Might have got it totally wrong but I think I was looking in the right place and the OS map agrees with this line of thought. You're absolutely correct, Bernard. The A720 crosses the WR's formation at grade and obliquely, obliterating or substantially encroaching on the original alignment for approximately 250 metres. No passive provision was incorporated into the road design to facilitate subsequent reinstatement of the railway, even grade separation at this point would have been something. The line to the south of the By-Pass is heavily overgrown with mature evergreen woodland. It is along this section towards Lothianbridge that many of the major civil engineering obstacles remain to be overcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 The line to the south of the By-Pass is heavily overgrown with mature evergreen woodland. It is along this section towards Lothianbridge that many of the major civil engineering obstacles remain to be overcome. Thanks 'CHARD. I saw the wooded section curving away to the south and this led me to doubt the location. Of course the tree roots will have done some damage to the foudations of the track bed so it does look like a major job. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 Turn back the clocks! Here's a Reid D30 Scott Class at Hawick: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=33321 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 1960s Railtour excitement Steam's final years ENJOY: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=33391 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Indeedy Here's a very atmospheric night study of a sixties Citadel, a great context shot of the southern WR reaches: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=33407 Where did all that mail go? Some onto the M6, some the internet, and maybe some just evaporated.... I certainly can't overestimate the importance of The Mails when modelling the Route, even towards the end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 It's Christmas Eve 1968 at Stainton (never before featured on this thread, do photos of the crossing exist?), and it's another huge vote of thanks to Kenneth Gray for securing this split-box Peak for our benefit. 1S22 will only work on one more Tuesday, and never on a Tuesday in 1969. Amazing to think that this spot is now grazed by Fresians or Holsteins. http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=33429 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Stewart Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 It's Christmas Eve 1968 at Stainton (never before featured on this thread, do photos of the crossing exist?) I am sure that there is a photo of Stainton crossing in the "railways of Cumbria" paper back book from many years ago. Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) Did I dream it, or have I missed some of these entirely? No apologies for reprising this if we have seen it before: D6846 on 3rd January 1969 with a southbound freight. Simply incredible. http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=31490 D55 BFYE at Stainton again, thanks to KG for making this a photographic venue: http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=31623 Now it's 4th January '69 and time for another Peak at Kingmoor/ Stainton http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=31077 21st December '68, and another Peak at Kingmoor, sunset on a fantastic railway http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=32380 ...D192 - look closely, it's she of the seemingly squared-off headcode area (now confirmed to apply to this end only, pic from same era shows regular panel other end) EDIT Edited June 7, 2011 by 'CHARD additional info D192 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37175 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nice Colour Rail slide of A2 60532 Blue Peter on Borthwick Bank available on ebay at the moment. I don't recall seeing it before: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLOUR-RAIL-STEAM-SLIDE-60532-SC0153-/130501723421?pt=UK_Collectables_Railwayana_RL&hash=item1e6282451d Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 A reprise for the view off the northern end of the Hawick 'up' platform, as D19 approaches and passes pilot D8574 lurking in the bay in the line's final fortnight. http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=31107 ...and Merlin approaching Shankend on a Sunday "ruggex" - reason for launching this link is the footage of the Shankend up siding which appears to be a loop but in fact is a shunting neck, if anything - you can just make out the blocks shortly before a precipitous tumble down to the burn http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=30085 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prime586 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 April 2011's 'The Rail Engineer' includes a three page article called 'Ground-breaking: the Borders' reconnection (pp.16-18), which gives a good overview of the work being undertaken prior to the announcement of the preferred bidder later this year. I hope this becomes a regular feature. I appreciate that getting hold of the magazine might be an issue (the website is at www.therailengineer.com), but equally I'm sure that it would provide interesting reading ... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 In view of recent mention of the article in The Rail Engineer (recommended, despite a few minor inaccuracies), and discussion of the Border Rail link's route from Millerhill towards Newtongrange, here's a timely map scan from Railscot: http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=33531 Now, if you get this up on screen in its small window with Google Earth alongside, it's fascinating to compare 1) the road network of 1957 and 2) development encroachment. The 1990s' straightening of the A7 is apparent, gouging out a huge section of embankment between Hardengreen and Lothianbridge, and replacing it, helpfully, with a large traffic island. From what I can make out, this intersection will be spanned by a bridge/ viaduct in due course, with the possibility of making a fairly iconic 'gateway' to Edinburgh, maybe. At Hardengreen, the Lasswade branch has been subsumed under industrial/ retail units and urban sprawl, but the leafy curve of the Dalkeith branch (closed to pax 1942, goods '64) is still apparent, and remarkably, the huge road intersection astride the formation at Sheriffhall carrying a main junction of the A68, is fully intact, and repays a look on Streetview. South of the network of colliery lines around Newtongrange, we can see the original kink in the A7 at Shank Bridge - still no photos of this structure, which lasted until 1977 at least! It's up there with a Class 50 on the Route in my Top 5 wanna-see photographs EDIT: the legend that is RCAHMS comes up trumps again with this footage of Hardengreen to conclude our little case study http://canmore.rcahm...ilway+junction/ EDIT 2: on further study, having looked at the OS Map I revisited the RCAHMS photo of the A7's Shank Bridge. http://canmore.rcahm...d+shank+bridge/ From what I can make out, the beautiful old bridge (traffic light controlled?) was at a higher level than the swooping swan-neck structure which nowadays sets up the A7's approach to the WR formation at a completely different angle, the up-grade to Arniston being smoothed out, instead of a chicane and short steep climb after the bridge beneath the line. With this in mind, I have studied the photo AND I think you can just make out, above the extreme left (far) abutment, a faint shadow which is the left hand side of a conventional brick arch, that the road turns right to enter. The trackbed is on a modest tree-lined embankment. The new line will span the wider, lower A7 on a much loftier structure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted April 7, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 7, 2011 Moving briefly off the main route, I came across this nice photo of the signal box at Coldstream on the last day. My link and no doubt many of you have found the excellent Northumbrian railways web site, again for consistency again here is Coldstream My link Although there is lots of very nice stuff such as the Border Counties My link As for the rebuilding it can't come soon enough to be able to ride on it for the very first time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 The Modern Image, WR-style. D8574 worrying vans in Hawick Goods Yard, 13 days before the final curtain, albeit the Hawick trip lingered a further four months (management couldn't wait to get rid). http://www.railbrit....e2.php?id=33572 The first and last vans are of a style I can't place at this time on a Sunday, but the middle couple look like they could be Banana Vans! The loco isn't at the bay platform, as it might first appear to the casual observer: look closely and the railings between the platform road and the lower level goods approach line are in front of the Clayton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Have we seen this pair at Canal before? 64B's finest in lovely GSYP finery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/4621363714/ D5303 + D286 at Kingmoor, lovely grimy colour Transition era capture here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/5401387836/in/set-72157622602429982 ...and the main line runs through the middle of the shed... http://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/4341446716/in/set-72157622602429982 D5312 on 2S52 passes 64A in the GNYP era. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 The first and last vans are of a style I can't place at this time on a Sunday, but the middle couple look like they could be Banana Vans! All four are; good spot The first and last are early BR builds, LMS inspired (a la Ratio kit), and the other two are the BR standards based on the normal Vanfit. Not sure what they're doing in Hawick yard, unless they're maybe part of a train being cleared out. preparatory to closure 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 ...they could be Banana Vans! Not sure what they're doing in Hawick... Contrary to popular belief, we scots do eat the odd piece of fruit y'know 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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