Richard E

Didn't the Ramsey branch join the ECML just north of the crossing without a chord for traffic going north? If so could a freight coming off the branch have gone on down to Connington loop and run round there before setting off north on the down goods/relief and then joining the down main at Holme? OK, the picture I've linked is of box vans but I understand the main traffic from Ramsey North was agricultural produce possibly including beet - could your sighting have been in the beet season (September/October ish) and have been traffic to the sugar factory at Fletton (drat, that's referring to my home patch again). Mind you did suggest empties ... Edit - if the footbridge was north of the level crossing then it had gone by 1962 but was definitely still there in '57, photographic evidence on line thanks to the wedding photographer (again). I have a sneaky feeling it was just on the London side of the crossing. Unfortunately it wouldn't have been for electrification as that didn't happen st Holme until the 80's apparently.

A little bit of research has shown that the goods yard at Holme (where I partake in a quiz at the Admiral Wells pub every Tuesday evening within sight of the gate box) closed, so it is claimed, to all traffic on 31st October 1970. The freight services to Ramsey ceased in December 1973 (according to several sources including Ely model railway club) although it is claimed elsewhere that it was 1971 according to a photo caption (http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/ramsey_north/) which shows a diesel shunter in charge of a train of box vans allegedly at Ramsey North. That same photograph appears on another website that claims closure was in 1972! It would make sense to me that Holme goods yard would have survived, even if only as a refuge, until the Ramsey North traffic ceased. Incidentally the pub, and the former station, now lie 6' below sea level according to local claims. There are some old photographs of the station and it's staff in years gone by that now grace the pub walls. There are suggestions that the current gate box at Holme (now disused), which is built on top of a relay room (apparently) was built in about 1975. Whilst I can find no proof there is a suggestion that the station building might have lasted that long although I can say for certain they were still there in 1962 thanks to a wedding photographer in Peterborough who has some railway pictures on line as well.

From the Diesel Traction Group website: 29th July 2014 D821 has been roaded from Bishops Lydeard to Old Oak Common and will now undergo an extensive exam, to identify and prioritise the work required to bring D821 back to full working order.

All it needs is a representation of the rampant buddleia that now infests the area- that'll provide a scenic break ....

Just don't forget us here, we need our Peterborough North fix on a regular basis you know

That's an awful lot of practice for one good shot isn't it?

I'm based in Peterborough but could, as I work in York, help out with getting any heavy items 'oop north' as they say. My commute is by train so bulky packages are likely to be awkward shall we say. I still have contacts, albeit somewhat remote in time now, in the Nottingham and Bingham areas. If I shuffle my commute times I can 'stop' in Grantham if needed. And despite working in N now I'd be interested in contributing in some way or another, OO was my start in the hobby.

Funnily enough, with the way work is at present, I'm considering walking. Trouble is I really need another two or three years of earning before I retire (again). If I do at least I could get started on all the things I want and need to do including the model railway.

Phil, I'm sure I echo the thoughts of others in saying tell us, and show us, all about it irrespective of how good or bad you think it is - let us be the judges, we don't bite (well, only if it is crispy duck )

Just seen 70808 at Doncaster, looking a bit grubby now.

It is always sad to read of the demise of someone with similar interests but when it is someone as talented, yet modest, in their achievements as Dave was then it is not just immediate family that suffer but the whole extended family involved in the individuals hobby or hobbies. A great modeller who will be sadly missed. No doubt he will be up 'there' looking down on those of us striving to create but a small vestige of the character his models bore and will be uttering words of encouragement and guidance. RIP Dave - I never met you but your models have created a spark of interest which will grow.

When I was scratch building locomotive chassis many moons ago (far more than I care to count or admit) I used to use 1/8" brass so, to bring it up to date, that would be 3mm.

Take care of yourself and don't be tempted to go back too soon.

70808 through Peterborough towards March this morning on an engineering working.

I apologise for being a little late commenting on these two shots from the good Cap'n (they are the second and third in the quoted post) showing the underbridge, they have somehow stirred a very, very old memory in me. I used to live in Exeter and can recall going down to Dawlish as a mere nipper one day and on our way down to the beach walking under the railway as a Castle or Hall passed over the bridge with a train of chocolate and cream stock in tow. I think of it as the first real stirring of a railway enthusiast in me and a BR(W) and GWR one at that. Far more years ago than many, myself included, might wish to admit but suffice to say it was in revenue earning service pre-Beeching!

70801 has had a little sojourn, it passed through Peterborough just after 07:00 today with a very short rake of NR hoppers. Only the second 70 I've had the luck to see in P'bo, the Colas livery suits it well.

Sorry, that isn't Oundle station on the road by the roundabout, that is the Railway Hotel. Latterly it was run as a pub and hotel, the Riverside Hotel. The station itself is in the rudest of health and in use as a private house nowadays, looks superb in the attached link. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/o/oundle/ edit for atrocious spelling.

And, perhaps, I should add that they were not the signalling practices of the area in which I have the greatest interest, that is on the other side of the country. It is your efforts, Gilbert, along with my residing in Peterborough, that have drawn me to follow this thread (the only one I do follow) with interest. Having said that the myriad of closed lines around Langar in Nottinghamshire are also a potential fascination as they used to be within cycling distance of home before I moved to my current area of residence.

Very intresting albeit confusing even to the enthusiast. Thank you for the detailed explanations.

Two things stand out for me and I've quoted the pictures concerned below. The shot of the forecourt looking north brings home, to me, just how much we should concentrate on the bits outside the railway boundary by giving them enough space. The other one of the K2 concerns me as the platform starter has been pulled off yet the point is set against the train - I do hope there wasn't an off the road incident or any infrastructure damage and that the signalman and driver have reported the obviously faulty interlocking.

I see 801 is sitting at Donny this evening.

I've not been to the SVR for a while now but have a soft spot for the line along with the WSR. Must revisit this year some time.

Which is said at one point in the report (paragraph 92)

Don't need to do that either as, according to the Russians, the Sun is cooling down.

Actually it is Pleasure Fair Meadow in Peterborough, so named because it was the traditional stopping place for the pleasure fair, being a meadow by the river and, of course, the railway in those days. The travelling fair has now moved to the Embankment in Peterborough but the car park remains for now - apparently there are plans to develop the area for housing ...