andyrush

Looks as though you've solved the simultaneous departure and arrival problem. I'm looking forward to seeing LS again at Watford (when I can sneak off from my designated operating duties!) Andy

The Ken Grainger book will probably help: http://www.abebooks.co.uk/SHEFFIELD-VICTORIA-CHESTERFIELD-CENTRAL-GRAINGER-KEN/2670101119/bd

Seeing as how the Atlantic pictures got a favourable response, here are some more where there is enough background detail to make them worth scanning . The 'Plant Centenarian' on 27.09.1953.

Very good sequence, you shouldn't be referring to your Photoshopping efforts as dodgy - I've seen worse in magazines! Nice bit of positioning of stock in the bay and the dock.... Looks like all (!) the New England cleaners are cleaning loco lamps

You can be cheeky, but I will be cheeky too and say that if you are modelling a real location you NEED the Appendix There is loads of stuff in there that will help with operating the layout realistically (the same applies to PN, of course but I've already mentioned it to Gilbert). There are a couple for sale on Amazon for under 20 beer vouchers (+ postage) - ignore the silly-priced one on abebooks! Further communication on your thread....!

1947 LNER Appendix p.41 reads: "PETERBOROUGH NORTH ASSISTANCE IN STARTING DOWN PASSENGER TRAINS. Where authorised, Down Passenger trains may be assisted out of Peterboro’ North Station on the Main line by an engine in the rear. The Driver of the train must be informed that it will be assisted to start by an engine in the rear and Rule 133, clause [c] first paragraph, must be observed. The assistant engine will not be attached to the train and will leave it at the north end of the platform. STARTING OF PASSENGER TRAINS FROM Nos.2 AND 3 PLATFORMS. To enable communications to be established between the Inspector and Guard for the purpose of starting lns from the Up and Down Main line Platforms, the following apparatus is provided No.2 Platform (Up Main). An indicator lettered “ S “ and bell situated at the South end of the Platform adjacent to Nos. I and 2 Platform signs. A Guard’s plunger for operating the indicator and bell, provided on the advertisement hoarding 20 yards from the end of the wall at the rear of the station. A duplicate Guard’s plunger situated near to the Platform clock A clearance plunger outside the Inspector’s Office. No.3 Platform (Down Main). An indicator lettered “ S “ and bell situated at the North end of the Platform roof. A Guard’s plunger located on the wall outside Guards’ Room. A duplicate Guard’s plunger and a clearance plunger provided outside the Foreman’s room. The Inspector or Foreman will intimate that the front portion of the train is ready by giving the appropriate hand signal to the Guard. The Guard, when he is ready to do so, must operate the plunger which will cause “S “ to show in the front indicator and ring the bell. The man in charge at the front of the train must then give the “ right away “ signal to the Driver in accordance with Rule 141 third paragraph. The duplicate Guard’s plungers are to be used by Guards of short trains. The arrangements shown above do not in any way supersede Rules 127 (ix) and 143. After departure of the train the Inspector or Foreman must operate the clearance plunger which will return the apparatus to normal in readiness for the next train. In connection with a train which has to draw up, the apparatus must not be operated until the station duties are completed and the train is ready to depart." There was no alteration to these instructions in the 1956 Supplement

Here is one where quite a lot of the infrastructure is visible, in spite of the engine! A4 60006 'Sir Ralph Wedgewood' leaving Grantham with a London train on 27.09.1953. The tall up line signal bracket was replaced shortly afterwards.

Or ankle chains.....

I agree, but both chuffers and oil cans tend to get in the way of the interesting stuff!

Oh, very well then - here is another steamy thing at Grantham! Captions are those of the photographer. C1 4-4-2 No.62822 standing in the station at 1.45 pm 28.07.1950 C1 4-4-2 No.62822 shunting coaches south of the station 28.07.1950

Here is part of bridge No.243 sometime around the turn of the century. It would be interesting to know how long the advertisement for Dunn's Boots lasted - Dysart Road bridge (244) was similarly emblazoned And one for the chuffer people! The stock of a train from Nottingham on Good Friday 1950, 7 April.

GUM Your wire of today OPIUM Your message not understood. Wire full particulars SKY Have you any account of the following being stopped for repairs PMV Parcels and Miscellaneous Van PBORO N Gilbertland UP BAY Where he thinks I won’t notice 28 DEC Since last year FOCAL Wire reply instanter Congratulations from the Troublesome Trucks Department

GUM OPIUM SKY PMV PBORO N 28 DEC FOCAL

Thanks for that 61070. Here are another few pictures around the Station Road area from the same date

Don't worry, a wire is on its way.....

Here are some more fairly indifferent slides around Grantham station from circa 1984 (judging by some of the others in the same sequence). Any more fulsome captions than 'Railway house' and Railway cottages' would be appreciated! I hope they are of interest Andy

There is no working out necessary - it was all devised by somebody with a warped sense of humour, as these examples will show: SERENE Strong complaint from senders COWARD May I attach following to undermentioned train? LYRIC Theatrical special between the following points next Sunday And one of my personal favourites: FUNCO Vehicle with funeral party and corpse Nuff said!

Translation with added comments about what the March mechanical foreman actually meant, expurgated version APPLE Send the following loco here (you nasty thieving GN wallahs) 63890 Loco number (was one of our best before you lot got your hands on it) 31B Depot (best shed in the world) LAGGARD Send Loco to above depot for repairs (I've asked for it four days running you cloth eared twerps) EXREP The Loco is required here for an X day examination (and it will no doubt be so filthy that we will have to clean it first) ADON Advise me when this has been done (otherwise I'll send a couple of Fen Tigers round) WALNUT Make all necessary arrangements so far as you are concerned (Pull your finger out) REDE Arrange and advise all concerned (tell those nasty conniving engine controllers to keep their hands off it) ACK Acknowledge receipt by wire (or I'll be on the blower, loudly) All right, a bit over the top, but I did see some like it! Wonderful language the BR Standard Telegram Code. You could even conduct a romance using it.....!

But did you see the aggrieved telegram from its owning depot? Something along the lines of "APPLE 63890 31B LAGGARD EXREP ADON WALNUT REDE ACK". Probably written on fireproof material....

I think the answer to that question is 'not always!' Certainly their conflats haven't got them, although all the recent vans I have bought have been properly fitted. I have a storage box with all sorts of plastic ones in, some of which I think are Bachmann spares and some I got off Ebay.

But not carefully enough to avoid the lack of pipes (or front coupling) on the poor old engine...... Nice pictures though! ATB Andy

Jonathan Wealleans must be on his hols, he would know what I mean

I like them all... The C&W must be on an overtime ban though, otherwise they would be working on all those defective parcels vans in the south dock sidings! Andy

Gilbert It is only yesterday that you were trying to persuade us that your locoholism had been cured...... I think you should claim your money back from whoever claimed to have cured you HNY Andy

I'll take that date, most of these photos have sketchy dating at best (and a lot none at all) Happy Christmas Andy