Sheffield Exchange, Toy trains, music and fun!

[Clive Mortimore]

Last week I was in a grump on Monday because Monday night for 30 plus years meant Witham Model Railway Society night. This week I had an operating session, by myself but it was a good one. Our lineside photographer has stopped chatting up the lady in boots and has returned with some film. Sadly he informs me that his cinematographic camera has a broken handle and he cannot wind the film on any more. 

 

I decluttered the layout today.

The diesel sidings.

 

The steam stabling point.

 

All, the platforms are occupied, and with a DMU in each one.

 

Doncaster carriage sidings

 

 

Manchester carriage sidings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Clive Mortimore]

The first train to leave was a local all stations to Doncaster.

 

This is the last week of the through train to Blackpool, until next summer the service only goes as far as Preston.

 

It hasn't travelled too far when it meets the Liverpool to Sheffield express service.

 

The Liverpool train snakes its way into platform 6.

 

The Bradford via Doncaster train leaves the station.

 

It is held at Doncaster Junction waiting another train to pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Clive Mortimore]

The Bradford train is well on its way. At the station a parcels car arrives as a Barnsley commuter train departs.

 

The parcels car comes to a stop at platform 8, and a line of parcels road vehicles are waiting to exchange packages.

Platform 8 will be a bit wider so it can have a road way for the parcels vans. The parcels office will be on platform 8.

 

 

[Clive Mortimore]

Whoops there is still more action. I didn't mean to post just the last two photos.

 

The Bradford and Barnsley train passing each other at Doncaster Junction.

 

Soon afterwards at the Manchester Junction we see a local from Huddersfield which is still locomotive hauled all be it a Type 2 passing an empty stock train in the hands of a BR class 4 tank.

 

We go back to the station

The Huddersfield train enters the station as a Wakefield train departs. The ECS train waits patiently for a path to be set. 

 

Our signalman soon gives the line clear to the driver of the ECS.

 

A

Another local to Barnsley departs.

 

The last action we see before going home for tea is a Standard Five backing down light engine form the main loco shed to haul the Manchester buffet service.

Edited October 8, 2018 by Clive Mortimore

[Clive Mortimore]

In middle of all that action I did manage to break and repair the three way point in the Manchester sidings.

 

And yet again these ladies sang nicely to me.

 

[Clive Mortimore]

Hands up those who spotted the 2P 4-4-0 being turned and coming off the turntable?

[jazzer]

Hands up those who spotted the 2P 4-4-0 being turned and coming off the turntable?

I did. And I spotted an N2 with condensing apparatus fitted.Dont know what that’s doing in Sheffield at the end of steam, or why,as a tank engine it needs to be lining up for the turntable, far less a Type 2 diesel lining up for th3 TT unless old habits die tard for the old steam drivers up there.

I am warming to green dmu’s though.

 

S.Wot.

[Clive Mortimore]

I did. And I spotted an N2 with condensing apparatus fitted.Dont know what that’s doing in Sheffield at the end of steam, or why,as a tank engine it needs to be lining up for the turntable, far less a Type 2 diesel lining up for th3 TT unless old habits die tard for the old steam drivers up there.

I am warming to green dmu’s though.

 

S.Wot.

Mr Jazzer

 

Let us deal with the N2 first, when the diesels took over the suburban services at Kings Cross some N2s were transferred north and retained their condensing gear. I just need to renumber it to one that ended up at Doncaster.

 

Because of the hills around Sheffield many of the tank locos are turned so the water stays over the firebox as the climb out the city. They have to visit the steam sidings to refill with water, top the coal and rake the ashpan the same as the ones puling the coal truck.

 

At times when there is no room at the diesel sidings locos that are on ECS or local duties that do not need refueling will be stabled between duties on the steam sidings, this will soon be a thing of the past as loco hauled services are withdrawn. To be honest it is a recent purchase and I need to find a box with space. Plonking it in the steam sidings seemed a good idea yesterday.

 

Lastly, DMUs could be quite warm when the heater was operative so I am glad you are sat in one that has a working heater.

[westerner]

I'm glad your photographer managed to buy some film and get his photos developed so quickly.

[Clive Mortimore]

I'm glad your photographer managed to buy some film and get his photos developed so quickly.

He seems to get distracted when he goes to get film and is served by the lady in boots but never the man in boots.

Edited October 9, 2018 by Clive Mortimore

[Andrew P]

AT LAST,          Some REAL TRAIN PICS.

 

 

Very good mate, more of the same please.

[Clive Mortimore]

I really enjoyed operating last night, a couple of derailments that need to be looked at, a few poor starters so maybe a wheel or two needs cleaning. No crashes.

 

When I was taking the photos in the station I had at least one train whizzing around the outside. All the moves photographed were moves not stock plonked on the track to look like it was full of action. The more I play trains the more I can see operational improvements, potential and fun. 

 

I really like the visual appearance of the triangle, I am now debating if I will build a bridge across it as a scenic break?

Edited October 9, 2018 by Clive Mortimore

[Stubby47]

Just stick a couple of small signal boxes in the corners and a field of rough grass. That way you can watch all the trains passing by.

[bgman]

I really enjoyed operating last night, a couple of derailments that need to be looked at, a few poor starters so maybe a wheel or two needs cleaning. No crashes.

 

When I was taking the photos in the station I had at least one train whizzing around the outside. All the moves photographed were moves not stock plonked on the track to look like it was full of action. The more I play trains the more I can see operational improvements, potential and fun. 

 

I really like the visual appearance of the triangle, I am now debating if I will build a bridge across it as a scenic break?

 

And if you do then don't forget the obligatory Charabanc going over it !

 

 

Inspector Blake ( I'll get you Butler !)

[TheQ]

And if you do then don't forget the obligatory Charabanc going over it !

 

charabanc.jpg

 

Inspector Blake ( I'll get you Butler !)

That picture is so old Inspector blake would have been an apprentice..

[jazzer]

Mr Jazzer

 

Let us deal with the N2 first, when the diesels took over the suburban services at Kings Cross some N2s were transferred north and retained their condensing gear. I just need to renumber it to one that ended up at Doncaster.

 

Because of the hills around Sheffield many of the tank locos are turned so the water stays over the firebox as the climb out the city. They have to visit the steam sidings to refill with water, top the coal and rake the ashpan the same as the ones puling the coal truck.

 

At times when there is no room at the diesel sidings locos that are on ECS or local duties that do not need refueling will be stabled between duties on the steam sidings, this will soon be a thing of the past as loco hauled services are withdrawn. To be honest it is a recent purchase and I need to find a box with space. Plonking it in the steam sidings seemed a good idea yesterday.

 

Lastly, DMUs could be quite warm when the heater was operative so I am glad you are sat in one that has a working heater.

Ah, that explains a lot. You have no idea how much time I spent in my short- trousered days looking for N2 ‘s on passenger services, especially with the condenser working, not realising that by that date the whole suburban system had been handed over to Type 2 diesels and those dreadful rattling Cravens things which everyone complained about because there weren’t enough seats, compared to an N2 with two Gresley quad-arts in tow. The only N2’s I ever saw were on the Kings Cross ECS workings, apart from one at Grantham. If only I had known at the time that they had been sent to Sheffield Exchange!

 

Am I right in thinking that the Standard Class 4 tank has just been transferred from Plaistow after the LT&S electrification was completed? I once rode home from Southend behind one of those, must have been doing 80 through West Horndon. Glad to see one at Sheffield Exchange.

 

I love the track layout going into Exchange. The DMU crossing two or three tracks reminds me of the way Paddington used to be before they smoothed it out a few years ago. The DMUs used to almost throw people off their seats going from the Met side to the main surburban lines.

[Denbridge]

Hands up those who spotted the 2P 4-4-0 being turned and coming off the turntable?

nope, but did notice the diesel on the tank wagons complete with face. Lol

[PaulCheffus]

Don't.

It was in terminal decline some years ago when I left it.

I hear they've built a road on the railway line, so no chance of Kings Cross the proper way now.

 

Mike.

Hi

 

In Louth they have built several houses on the old railway line so even less chance. The good thing about the new road in Grimsby is you can leave quicker (just watch out for the average speed cameras).

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[Clive Mortimore]

nope, but did notice the diesel on the tank wagons complete with face. Lol

And why not. If I get the layout finished and published in any magazines, he will be showing up.

[Clive Mortimore]

Just stick a couple of small signal boxes in the corners and a field of rough grass. That way you can watch all the trains passing by.

Hi Stu

 

Thoughts like this have crossed my mind a few times. I will just see where my imagination takes me.

[Clive Mortimore]

And if you do then don't forget the obligatory Charabanc going over it !

 

charabanc.jpg

 

Inspector Blake ( I'll get you Butler !)

Hi Grahame

 

Didn't you see the lovely cream and blue bus sitting there wondering who had nicked his bridge?

[newbryford]

 

 

I see they do a dwarf head,

 

Euphemism alert?

[stevea]

Hi

 

In Louth they have built several houses on the old railway line so even less chance. The good thing about the new road in Grimsby is you can leave quicker (just watch out for the average speed cameras).

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[stevea]

Hi, Paul

Thank you for the tip about the cameras. I avoid that road like the plague due to its dreadful design, and wasn't aware of them. It's a shame it and the new A16 further south were ever built, as there would surely have been a good case for re-opening the line these days

Regards

Steve

[Clive Mortimore]

Hi, Paul

Thank you for the tip about the cameras. I avoid that road like the plague due to its dreadful design, and wasn't aware of them. It's a shame it and the new A16 further south were ever built, as there would surely have been a good case for re-opening the line these days

Regards

Steve

I just avoid Grimsby.