BR traction instructor

Another upgrade to multiple aspect colour light signalling happened in the Preston area in 1972. BeRTIe

It is easy to look at period images of consists that you intend to model and be completely unaware that there could be type specific BR Rules & Regs affecting the proportions of wagon types in the train. Such instructions could be relaid to BR staff in their weekly/periodic notice issues. Here is an instruction dating from 1970 that is still included in the Periodic Operating Notices of 1983. Running at a lower speed of 60mph doesn’t sound much but makes pathing the trains over long distances problematic. Remember, these services were likely to have penalties associated with late arrivals, due to production line deadlines. BeRTIe

…look beneath the Cockshute yard area and you’ll see the signal controlling access to/egress from the carriage shed and sidings. The loco stabling roads aren’t shown, just the signals associated with them. BeRTIe

…every publication is an important piece of the BR jigsaw. BeRTIe

…looks like maintenance dates/schedule to me, have a look at images of other STS tanks of the period to compare. BeRTIe

…shame to leave them gathering dust…much better to share BeRTIe

…no worries, you have a good idea of the wagon types used now. The formation of the Co Bo hauled consist would be fairly constant and retain the vans for each working, empty or loaded. Sand trains of the period were similar, to prevent discomfort to the guard as he performed his duties. BeRTIe

Drivers/guards signing affected routes were issued with signalling notices such as this one from 1966 for Stoke on Trent when significant alterations took place…in this case the upgrade from semaphore to multiple aspect colour light. The significance to modellers of the period is the way in which the signalling system of the day was arranged and the signal types used, creating a layout very much of its time. BeRTIe

Classification and Marshalling of Freight Trains is another rare publication and shows how even apparent block trainloads can consist of various portions… BeRTIe

…a set of close up images of your chosen loco is invaluable for that…these diagrams just label the components… BeRTIe

Always useful to identify the components on a model that you’re creating… BeRTIe

I have this 1970 trip notice for Carlisle on file, it includes a visit to Hardendale…note the two locations…Blencow & Flusco…on the Penrith to Cockermouth line too. Traincrew booking on duty for a Trip turn would typically be given a slip of teleprinter paper with the days work outlined on it. Obviously, there was no point in visiting a private sdg if no traffic was to be delivered or collected. Similarly, an extra trip/shunt could be added in its place… BeRTIe

…shame to leave them gathering dust, better to share the gen. These publications came my way when a boating friend’s steam era driver/father passed away. He asked me to help as many others as possible with their contents. Humping signal aspects are an unusual inclusion in the Crewe booklet. Semaphore stop signals with associated route indicators are a model-able option… BeRTIe

Route learning schools with their in cab film footage demonstrating journeys through complex junctions/signalling layouts etc backing up aide memoirs such as local maps/signalling simplifiers are beyond the limitations of many model railway situations but the resources do add to a modellers understanding of the BR system of signal numbering/individual track identification etc. BeRTIe

Unusual 1967-74 EBay image find amongst our railway circle. The empty/return to Oakamoor LK6 (not LKC) instruction refers to a group of stations in/around The Churnet Valley, twixt Bosley, Cauldon Low and Alton. Information normally found on a DARVIC label in circuit working to keep associated wagons within their intended sphere of operation. Pictures of ‘hired in’ 08s at Oakamoor British Industrial Sand sdgs are also rare, they normally used their own industrial locos. BeRTIe

I have various images of the traffic that interests you on file inc. 8S62 (loaded tipplers and ex ironstone hoppers) in 1972 behind a 37, 8P41 in 1969 & 1972 (2x25 on covhops with empty fitted opens for brakeforce/fitted head), they’re not mine so post your email address and I’ll copy some to you. A 1967 image of a Co Bo departing the quarry with nbnd loaded ex ironstone hoppers is interesting. The consist includes two vanfits next to the brakevan, likely to be to reduce windblown lime dust from peppering the guard as the train progressed. An Apr 81 pic shows a 47 at the quarry with LPG tanks. 7S73 passing Carlisle in 1967 is a block train of ex ironstone hoppers possibly for Ravenscraig behind a 37. A similar early 70s 8S73 shows the working being banked over Beattock. BeRTIe

Brunswick despatched a number of weekly Esso block oil services in the 1970s. The Dingle oil terminal was adjacent on the banks of the River Mersey. There is a good view of it on the Britain from Above website. As Liverpool was redeveloped in the 1970s this terminal closed and greater use made of the Tranmere terminal on the other side of the Mersey. Dallam Dave has an early 70s pic of a Brunswick to Drakelow working passing Bewsey, Warrington Central on his Flickr site behind D336. It is a false assumption to associate class 8 freights with Covhops in the Hardendale question above. A class 8 freight at that time might convey a wide variety of wagons that could emanate from the quarry. At any given date in history there would be a few wagon types covering a range of headcodes/destinations. I have a 1976 image of 84004 departing with 6T44 (shown in headcode panel) sheeted/unsheeted 16T minerals loaded with limestone in front of me. BeRTIe