Dave F's photos - ongoing - more added each day

[keefer]

C4963 - who says all your wagons need to look the same? 🙂

[caradoc]

C1879; Interesting to see a loco-hauled service at Harwich Town, especially docked on top of a DMU! I wonder if there was an issue preventing running round at Parkeston Quay, where IIRC these trains normally terminated?

 

(Thanks again for your wonderful pictures and dedication in posting them David)

 

[DaveF]

Some more photos around the Southern in the south east.

 

 

Vauxhall Class 4CIG Waterloo to Reading taken from another train July 79 J6533

 

 

Waterloo East Class 202 1013 Charing Cross to Hastings and Class 415 5254 up pass Jan 79 C4267

 

 

Gravesend Class 415 5168 Charing Cross to Gillingham Nov 79 C4894

 

 

approaching Gravesend Class 415 5136 up pass 18th March 78 C3724

 

 

Bobbing (west of Sittingbourne) Class 411 7177 Victoria to Ramsgate May 75 C2092

 

 

Bobbing 73104 down light engine 23rd April 77 C3305

 

 

David

Edited April 13, 2023 by DaveF

[eastwestdivide]

1 minute ago, DaveF said:

Gravesend Class 415 5168 Charing Cross to Gillingham Nov 79 C4894

It's a down train on the up line because they often ran terminating services into Gravesend's down platform, and left the up platform for through trains in either direction. Ahead of the train, there are points to switch it back to the down line.

[corneliuslundie]

A lovely bit of weathering in C4062.

Jonathan

[DaveF]

41 minutes ago, corneliuslundie said:

A lovely bit of weathering in C4062.

Jonathan

 

I think you mean C4962 and yes it is well weathere.  It might lok a bit overdone on a model.d

 

David

[DaveF]

Now we go to Lincoln Central around 1953 and 1951 to see some trains in black and white.

 

I am not sure about 1953, it could be 1951 as the last two, but the ones captioned as 1951 are clearer and on different film, they were also in different albums from the first three.  Sadly we'll never know for certain.

 

I've no idea why Dad would have been in Lincoln but he might have taken Mum out for the day, in 1951 I think I'd have been in a push chair, by 1953 I'd have been walking.  They may have wanted to go and look at the cathedral.  For those who don't know Lincoln the cathedral is at the top of a steep hill from the station, as I know very well from working in the area later on.

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Central B1 61016 up ex pass c1953 JVol4204

 

 

Lincoln Central B1 61212 up ex pass c1953 JVol4208

 

 

Lincoln Central B17 61630 Tottenham Hotspur down ex pass c1953  JVol4217

 

 

Lincoln Central B17 61641 Gayton Hall down ex pass May 51 JVol7133

 

 

Lincoln Central B17 61641 Gayton Hall ex pass Yarmouth to York May 51 JVol6100

[62613]

I wonder if Jvol4208 is a tulip special on its way to Spalding?

[DaveF]

19 minutes ago, 62613 said:

I wonder if Jvol4208 is a tulip special on its way to Spalding?

 

It could well be, I hadn't thought of that.

 

David

[DaveF]

The final set for today is simply a miscellany of diesel hydraulics.  Dad and I took very few photos of them as we both lived in the wrong parts of the country to see them very often.

 

 

Exeter St Davids D817 Foxhound Exeter to Waterloo, 1017 Western Warrior June 71 C655

 

 

Swindon Class 42 818 Glory April 74 J3623

 

 

Kensington Olympia Class 52 1030 Western Musketeer McAlpine FSE special to Shrewsbury April 74 J3619

 

 

Kensington Olympia Class 52 1030 Western Musketeer McAlpine FSE special to Shrewsbury April 74 J3620

 

 

Didcot GWS Preserved Class 35 D7018 May 79 C4529

 

 

David

Edited April 6, 2023 by DaveF

[Donington Road]

45 minutes ago, 62613 said:

I wonder if Jvol4208 is a tulip special on its way to Spalding?

 

25 minutes ago, DaveF said:

 

It could well be, I hadn't thought of that.

 

David

 

I wouldn't think so.  Spalding Tulip Parade did not start until 1959.

[Market65]

Good evening, David. That’s a superb set of photo’s of the Blyth and Tyne, and NCB, at Blyth west staiths sidings, and Lynemouth. In C4962, at Lynemouth, with NCB, ex-BR, class 14, 31, in February, 1980, that is a delightful portrait shot of the locomotive at rest.
 

The photo’s of the Southern, in the south east are full of interest, and C4894, at Gravesend, with class 415, 5168, on a Charing Cross to Gillingham service, in November, 1979, is a view that is a bit different, from above, and it shows that clearances on the line at that location were tight.

 

In the black and white photo’s of Lincoln Central, in 1953 and 1953, are excellent and of historical value. I think you are right, for it must be impossible to say for sure whether the photo’s given as 1953 are from that year or 1951. They are superb regardless.

In the last two photo’s, of B17, 61641, Gayton Hall, departing on an express passenger train from Yarmouth to York, in May, 1951, JVol7133, and JVol6100, going by the boy spotters, and the lighting etc., I think the photo’s could be of the same train as it makes a rousing departure from the station.

 

Finally, the photo’s of a miscellany of diesel hydraulics, you have posted a superb selection, with the first one, at Exeter St. Davids, of D817, Foxhound, on an Exeter to Waterloo service, and 1017, Western Warrior, in June, 1971, you have captured a delightful three quarter portrait shot of the Warship, with it’s characteristic ‘Sad Eyes’ front end. 
 

With warmest regards,

 

Rob.

[JeffP]

Would the B17's have gone all the way to York, or come off at Doncaster?

[DaveF]

Places along the Sleaford to Skegness line this morning, noit many trains though.

 

Sleaford  Class 40 on crane and ballast wagons Jan 77 J5611

 

 

Sleaford  view east Aug 72 J3000

 

 

Sleaford from level crossing looking west March 72 J2844

 

 

Heckington  men working on level croosing equipment June 78 J6141

 

 

Hubberts Bridge  alongside South Forty Foot Drain Oct 73 J3428

 

 

Wyberton level crossing Sunbeam Rapier on crossing Feb 73 J3145

 

 

Wyberton alongside South Forty Foot Drain Feb 73 J3144

 

 

David

[franciswilliamwebb]

30 minutes ago, DaveF said:

Heckington  men working on level croosing equipment June 78 J6141

 

Ah, the days before Brussels introduced the Workmans' Standard Bottom Directive 😄

[DaveF]

The London Tilbury and Southend next between Chalkwell and Shoeburyness.

 

 

Chalkwell Class 302 down pass taken from beach April 74 C1598

 

 

Thorpe Bay 302281 down pass May 75 C2023

 

 

Thorpe Bay 302245 up pass May 75 C2024

 

 

Thorpe Bay 302281 up pass in rain May 75 C2025

 

 

Shoeburyness 302296 March 77 C3249

 

 

David

 

 

 

[DaveF]

A few photos of B1s at Liverpool Street in black and white around 1948 now plus one at Bethnal Green.  All but the last one were taken on the same day when Dad had a footplate ride from Liverpool Street to Cambridge.  The ones taken from the track would have been with permission, either granted on the day or by using a track pass which he had for a number of areas for photography.  Dad was 22 in 1948.

 

I think the last one near Bethnal Green was taken on a different day

 

It really was a very different world then.

 

 

Liverpool St B1  1286 1948 JVol1292

 

 

Liverpool Street B1 1286 Liverpool St to Yarmouth prior to Dad's footplate ride 1948 JVol7259

 

 

Liverpool Street B1 E1057 1948 JVol1300

 

 

Liverpool Street B1 1285 1948 JVol1299

 

 

Liverpol Street LNER B1 1285 from footplate of a B1 1948 JVol1230 

 

 

Bethnal Green Junction left B1 Yarmouth to Liverpool St right B17 Liverpool St to Kings Lynn c1949 JVol3091

 

 

David

Edited April 7, 2023 by DaveF
To tidy up the notes.

[DaveF]

Some more photos of the High Dyke branch and one of the British Steel line when the iron quarries were still working.  The details are in the caption under each image.

 

The Drift Class 31 on train from Sproxton Quarries heading east May 72 J2965  going towards Skillington Junction.  The gradient really was like that.  This was the line from Sproxton Quarries.

 

Skillington and Sproxton road level crossing ore loading Class 31 5675 June 73 J3219  One of the loading points on the way to Sproxton.

 

 

Skillington Junction Woolsthorpe Lane level crossing Class 31 up iron ore April 72 J2895  From Stainby sidings.  The junction was where the lines to Sproxton and Stainby diverged.

 

 

Stainby sidings wagons in United Steel sidings , view north June 73 J3223  The end on junction between BR and Btritish Steel was just behind the camera.  The siding served as the exchange sidings and a loading point.

 

 

Mill Lane crossing just north of Buckminster sidings BSC ex BR Class 14 No. 21 iron ore South Witham Quarry to Stainby sidings to go to BR Sept 70  J2382

 

 

David

Edited April 7, 2023 by DaveF

[Market65]

Good afternoon, David. That is a fantastic set of photo’s of the Sleaford to Skegness line. In J3000, at Sleaford, looking east, in August, 1972, that’s an excellent view, plus the electric lampshade is exactly the same design as those that were in use, latterly, at Market Weighton station. 

In J3145, at Wyberton level crossing, with a Sunbeam Rapier on the crossing, in February, 1973, that’s a splendid view of the box and gates. On both of the gates, nearest to the camera is the number 91. I wonder if that was a lever number? I’ve not seen gates numbered in that way before.

 

The photo’s of the London Tilbury and Southend line, between Chalkwell and Shoeburyness, are full of interest, and in C2024, at Thorpe Bay, with 302245, on an up passenger service, in May, 1975, you can see what I’m guessing must be a secondman in that side of the cab. And what a rainstorm in the next photo’ of 302281, on another up passenger service in C2025. 

 

In the black and white photo’s of B1s at Liverpool Street, from around 1948, with one at Bethnal Green, are a remarkable selection, and thank goodness your Dad was able to take photo’s of his day out on the footplate. They are an invaluable reminder of just how much things have changed since the late 1940’s. In JVol7259, at Liverpool Street, with a close up of the front of B1, 1286, on a Liverpool St. to Yarmouth service, prior to Dad's footplate ride, in 1948, you can seen much detail, including the way B1 was hyphenated to B-1.

 

Finally, the photo’s of the High Dyke branch, with one of the British Steel line, when the iron quarries were still working, are an excellent set, and J3219, at Skillington and Sproxton road level crossing, with ore loading, and also class 31, 5675, in June, 1973, is a fascinating look at that ore loading taking place.

 

With warmest regards,

 

Rob.

[Donington Road]

9 hours ago, DaveF said:

 

 

Wyberton level crossing Sunbeam Rapier on crossing Feb 73 J3145

 

2 hours ago, Market65 said:

 

In J3145, at Wyberton level crossing, with a Sunbeam Rapier on the crossing, in February, 1973, that’s a splendid view of the box and gates. On both of the gates, nearest to the camera is the number 91. I wonder if that was a lever number? I’ve not seen gates numbered in that way before.

 

 

The number 91 is most likely the crossing number of which there were hundreds in Lincolnshire.  The signal box probably only had a 15 lever frame as it only controlled about half a dozen signals and the crossing gates.

Of note are the pivoting red lamps on the right hand side gates.  The car that has just crossed on the A52 is about to carry on turning 70 degrees on to Sleaford Road towards Boston.  To the left of that car the A1121 Boston to Sleaford road formed a 'T' junction.  As the A52 was the 'main road', when the crossing gates were closed to road traffic the gate lamps pivoted in the direction of Boston along Sleaford Road and were not square on to the gates.  You could see these lamps from quite a distance away at night time when leaving Boston.

Today the road is much wider and the A52/A1121 junction is now a mini roundabout.

[franciswilliamwebb]

3 hours ago, DaveF said:

 

Now if that doesn't shout "model me!" I don't know what does 😎

[Artless Bodger]

Thanks for that information Donnington Road, I'd wondered what the linkage to the lamp was for.

[33C]

30 minutes ago, franciswilliamwebb said:

 

Now if that doesn't shout "model me!" I don't know what does 😎

Box file, 1 yard of Peco, Airfix 31, Matchbox 28d Mack dumper, Dapol 16 ton minerals wagon kits, Hornby hut and your done!

Edited April 7, 2023 by 33C
Added detail.

[Davexoc]

10 hours ago, DaveF said:

Places along the Sleaford to Skegness line this morning, noit many trains though.

 

 

 

There's not just the class 40 here, there is a class 31 lurking beyond the furthest brake van, and what I would have thought was a class 03 towards Sleaford West signal box. But the cab roof profile looks more class 04, which I'm sure had all gone by that year....

 

I always find the High Dyke photos interesting, having used many of the back roads around the area to avoid Grantham and Melton Mowbray in the early 2000s, and they give some raison d'etre to the features and structures of that area. During those years, the somewhat hazardous flat road junction on the A1 just north of Colsterworth was modified and the High Dyke railway bridge over the A1 allowed the dual carriageway crossing point to be removed.

[DaveF]

5 minutes ago, Davexoc said:

 

There's not just the class 40 here, there is a class 31 lurking beyond the furthest brake van, and what I would have thought was a class 03 towards Sleaford West signal box. But the cab roof profile looks more class 04, which I'm sure had all gone by that year....

 

I always find the High Dyke photos interesting, having used many of the back roads around the area to avoid Grantham and Melton Mowbray in the early 2000s, and they give some raison d'etre to the features and structures of that area. During those years, the somewhat hazardous flat road junction on the A1 just north of Colsterworth was modified and the High Dyke railway bridge over the A1 allowed the dual carriageway crossing point to be removed.

 

Thanks for finding the extra locos!

 

As for the High Dyke photos, I used to cross the A1 at that flat junction north of Colsterworth twice a day going to and from work from 1972 to 1974, even then it could sometimes be difficult.  In those days the junction at Colsterworth itself  (by the garage) was no better as there was no bridge over the A1.

 

It is much harder now to work out where the quarries were and the routes of the railways as so much of the land has been landscaped - rather like the colliery sites and railways up here in the north east.

 

I do notice from Google Earth that Buckminster, where I lived with my parents at the time has not changed too much.

 

David