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Battle of Britain No 34052 Lord Dowding at Eastleigh
mpd. Les Elsey. front cover.
Further information about date.
Confirmed as 6 August 1961 by photographer,
himself.
Big Wheels [driving wheel diameters]. David Jenkinson.
4-13.
"the late Roland Bond actually stated to the author "that in his opinion
there was no real purpose in changing a driving wheel size by less than six
inches - and he was a former Midland man trained by a railway which was very
fond of its quarter inch dimensions" . See letter by D.K.
Horne on page 163 on hammer blow and interaction between locomotive and
the track. Col. illus.: NER R (D20) 1207 LNER lined black livery at Pickering
in 1938; T9 30712 at Exmouth Junction mpd on 5 July 1957 (R.C. Riley); 6018
at Swindon in early 1960s (B.J. Harding): more precise
information ; 46236 (red) at Euston in 1961 (Cliff Woodhead); b&w:
Pearson broad gauge 4-2-4T 54; Pollitt 4-2-2 971 at Neasden in 1902; Stirling
4-2-2 at York; D18 1869 at Scarborough in 1927; Aspinall 4-4-2 on Lostock
troughs: see letter from Harry Jack page 107 stating
that photographer was Dr T.F. Budden plus more information about locomotive
illustrated; H2 32474 on 5 October 1952 (E.D. Bruton*); SR T14 444 at Nine
Elms (*); 5343 at Oxford on freight on 20 September 1947 (*); 61774 at Fort
William on 11 June 1951 (*) see Editorial correction
page 107: locomotive built at Kitsons in 1921 not as stated; 45365 arriving
Inverness on mail from Wick on 20 June 1951 (*)60532 at Dundee Tay Bridge
in October 1964 (P. Ransome-Wallis); 35017 at Nine Elms on 16 July 1949 (*);
70014 at Basingstoke on 21 July 1951; 92204..
Chacewater and Newquay branch line. Andrew L. Robinson.
14-19.
Map and b&w illus. with extended captions: illus arranged in
geographical order: Chacewater with class 22 in early 1960s; Mount Hawke
halt; St Agnes station (both original single platform and 1937 island platform;
Goonbell halt; Mithian halt; Perranporth Beach halt with 5562 (Peter Hay*
taken between 14 and 16 August 1959); Perranporth station (*), also with
2-4-0T approaching; Goonhavern halt with 5562 (*); Shephers station with
5500 (*) and with steam railcar 24; Mitchell & Newlyn with 5515
(*) and 5562 (*); Newquay station.
Women at work - a history of Britain's railwaywomen.
Helen Ashby.. 20.
Only 4564 female workers on railways at beginning of 1914: worked
mainly in laudries; refreshment rooms and on sack repair (GER); and as crossing
keepers on GWR. During World War I there was a great increase, but initially
mainly in clerical, as booking clerks and ticket collectors. Initially there
was a lack of training and strong union opposition, but some were permitted
to remain after 1919 - there were lady stationmasters on West Highland line
in 1929. B&w illus. show range of activities: police officers on NER;
ticket collectors on LSWR; engine cleaners on L&Y; coal stackers on MR;
manufacturing shell cases on L&Y; and prior to war in 1911: laundering
blinds on GER and telegraphists on L&Y.
Steam in the Yorkshire coalfields. B. Williamson.
25-7.
Colour feature: NCB locomotives (all 0-6-0ST): Hudswell Clark (HC
1871) 1954 at St John's Colliery, Normanton Parkhill in apple green
on 3 July 1969; Hawthorn Leslie (HL 3534) of 1922 S115 (red) at Wheldale
C. on 18 April 1971; Hunslet (HE 2414) originally for PLA in 1941: S112 (maroon)
with underfeed stoker at Acton Hal C., Featherstone on 17 November 1969;
Hunslet 3594 (1950) Rossington No. 1 (green) at Askern Main C. on
21 July 1970; HE 3833 at Glasshoughton C. (sky blue) on 17 June 1971; Airedale
No. 2 (red, inoriginal condition) on 5 May 1971.
The life and times of the LMS 'Jubilees'. 28-9.
Colour feature: 5616 Malta (red) at St Albans in 1938; 45742
Connaught in Birmingham New Street on express in September 1956 (John
Edgington); 45574 India running-in at Crewe on 3 August 1960 (Cliff
Woodhead); 45581 without nameplate at Deganwy (light engine) (Joe
Richardson): see letter from E. Buckley on page 107
concerning the route taken via Leeds to Llandudno summer extra to avoid
Manchester.
Twenty years ago in East Anglia. G.R. Mortimer.
30-1.
Colour feature:: hybrid DMU set on Chappel viaduct Bury St. Edmund's
(panorama with green D5665 heading Harwich to Peterborough train on 8 September
1971; English Electric Type 3 No 6742 passing Swavesey on freight on Cambridge
St Ives line on 3 June 1970; Mellis station out of use but with working
signal box being passed by Brush type 4 1760 (green) on up express on 15
July 1972.
The LNER 'Coronation' Express: operational triumph and commercial
flop. A.J. Mullay. 32-6.
Analysis of punctuality and passenger loadings. See
later feature on Coronation versus Coronation Scot on page
76. See author's errata on page 106 and
letter from J.F. Aylard on fastest journeys recorded.
Col. illus.: Frank H. Mason poster showing train on cliffs north of Berwick
with Lindisfarne and Farne Islands in background; Menu cover; b&w illus.:
inaugural departure with 4491 (C.C.B. Herbert*); up arrival with 2509 on
16 June 1938 (F. Box) but see later correspondence on incorrectly catalogued
item; beaver tail observation car (*); 4466 on Coronation and
10000 on 4pm to Leeds (*).
Cab signalling. R.D. Easden. 37-40.
Rather thin description of some systems: GWR Automatic Warning System,
Hudd sytem, Raven system on NER, and British Railway's first system based
on Hudd system. Further information on Raven system and a
fuller account of BR AWS are given on page 162.
The Kilmarnock and Troon Railway: an early Scottish
railway. Graham Kirkpatrick. 41-8.
Mainly a history, but also what remains, and efforts by local authority
at conservation. Map. William Jessop was involved in planning the line which
opened in 1812 following Acts in 1808. The local aristocracy was involved:
Marquis of Titchfield; the Earl of Eglinton, and the Duke of Portland. An
early locomotive (0-6-0) manufactured by Stephenson of the Killingworth-type,
The Duke, was acquired. See also short feature
on restoration of Greathead Viaduct in Volume 11 page 159..
Rolling stock focus: Western Region auto coaches.
49.
Colour feature: W242W at Chalford on 22 August 1964 coupled to 6412
(M.H. Yardley); 1432 with similar vehicle at Ellesmere about 1960 (H.J.
Mills)
Readers' Forum. 50-1.
Steam in Metroland. F.C.H. Ryley.
See Vol. 5 page 138: In August 1939 and
1941 writer observed 4-4-4T with two Dreadnought coaches on Chesham branch.
In August 1945 a 4-4-4T had failed and Chalfont and a K class 2-6-4T was
in use.
The Hayling Island Railway. A.E. Johnson.
See Volume 5 page 148. Five holiday camps
on Island. Terminus was ¾ mile from beach. Road traffic problems required
a flagman at Havant level crossing until replaced by bridge. This letter
contains an error in one of dates quoted: see further letter
on page 107.
Railways and holidays. Part 1. S.J. Dixey.
See Vol. 5 page 178. First excursion not to
Blackpool, but by Nottingham Mechanics Institute on MCR in 1840, followed
by famous Thomas Cook excursion, also on MCR in 1841. See
further letter from Elizabeth and Arthur Jordan (page 218), and their
book Away for the day which claims
that excursions started very early in railway history .
Faringdon. Stanley C. Jenkins.
See feature page 225 (Vol. 5): Corriegenda:
gauge changed in 1878, not 1876. Dates of working timetables.
Faringdon. J.F. Burrell.
See feature page 225 (Vol. 5): Closure on
31 December 1951 prior to involvement of TUCC. Notes extremely poor connexions
towards London.
Trent station. R.H. Billings.
See 5 page 244 (photograph): footpath access
does exist; also restricted road access to railway houses.
Taff's Well. Ian L. Wright.
Not Rockwood Colliery (Steve Daly letter
Volume 5 page 190), but Nantgawr Colliery and Coke Ovens served by Cardiff
Railway until 1952, and then by a new connexion.
46221. M. Tilly.
Based at Upperby, not at Polmadie as stated: see
Volume 5 page 220.
Thomas Bouch. J. Shrimpton.
William McGonagle: see feature in Volume 5 page
232.
Britannia Pacifics on the Great Northern main line.
M.C. Prentice.
Response to caption for front cover of Volume
5 Part 5. List of those based at Immingham mpd.
Beyond Aberdeen. R.G. Winder.
See feature in Vol. 5 page 156: Croxton
+ Garry traffic on Waterloo branch, Aberdeen.
Information wanted. David Sibley.
Railway accident at Wimbledon involving Waterloo to Southampton train,
driven by Alfred Downes, in collision with Waterloo-Wimbledon train on wrong
track.
Northallerton. A.F. Aylard.
See Vol. 5 page 196: Potential collision
between Queen of Scots and express from King's Cross which ran through
signals at danger: Gerry Fienes stated latter was driven by Bill
Sparshatt.
Northallerton. A.D. Sugden.
See Vol. 5 page 196: Power box (interior
illustrated) opened 2 September 1939.
Colour files. 52-3.
Colour feature: Goudhurst station with H 31324 (Cliff Woodhead); cafeteria
car S9211E at Eardley on 28 March 1963 (former LNER buffet car painted Southern
Region green and marked condemed) (R.C. Riley): further
information from Roger Merry-Price on page 107 noting that the conversions
were from former LNER ambulance coaches, not buffet cars ; J1 2323 at
Eastleigh in 1938 with Egyptian style lettering; J2 2326 in malachite green
with sunshine yellow lettering in September 1947 (J.M. Jarvis).
Book reviews. 54.
The Newquay branch and its branches. John Vaughan. Oxford
Publishing. DJ ****
"Mr Vaughan's scholarship is sound and his text is packed with
facts....Recommended"
Rail centres. Edinburgh. A.J. Mullay. Ian Allan. PT
***
"valuable and interesting survey", but criticises production standards
in relation to price
Steam in action: Castles. Laurence Waters. Ian Allan.
Days of steam. Neil Davenport. Patrick Stephens.
CR ***
"one comes away from them [both books] that they do not actually tell
us very much."
Scottish steam album. Brian Morrison. OPC/Haynes.
AT ***
Reprint: reviewer critical of the 'samey' format.
Steam portfolios. 7. South Eastern steam. Rodney Lissenden.
Ian Alan. TJE **
Colour album: "selection is somewhat haphazard" and reproduction and
captions are criticized.
Ex-'Caley' 4-4-0 No 54495 at Helmsdale on freight circa 1958. F.W. Shuttleworth front cover
The story of Manchester Central station. Robert Emblin.
60-70.
A very thorough history, with 18 references, several diagrams and
maps. Designed for the Cheshire Lines Committee (Midland, Great Northern,
MSLR Joint) by Lewis H. Moorsom, Resident Engineer, and not by [Sir] John
Fowler. Brickwork and masonry by Robert Neill & Sons, Manchester. Roof
by Andrew Handyside & Co., Derby. Opened 1st July 1880. Frontage never
completed: neither offices, nor hotel, nor even a link to the Midland Hotel.
Closure on 3rd May 1969 and Cornbrook Junction reconfigured to take trains
into Oxford Road or Piccadilly stations. Sold by British Railways Property
Board in 1972 to Arkle Holdings and was nearly demolished (parts being used
for temporary car parking) and eventually acquired by the Greater Manchester
Council (GMC) to be converted into conference and exhibition centre: G-MEX.
List of corriegenda from author on page 162.
Letter from J. Sawyer on page 162 concerning Liverpool
Central to Guide Bridge servia via Manchester Central and Fairfield Loop;
also from J.H. Price on this service on page 218.
See letter from Brackett on page 275.
Annesley's 'Scots'. M.C. Thompson. 71-5.
The sleeper services from Euston to Manchester were diverted to the
Great Central route to Marylebone during the WCML electrification and Annesley
mpd received some very rundown Royal Scots to "assist" with this and other
services: footplate experiences: Errata page 162.
b&w illus by Bob Wilkinson: 45535 (partially derelict); 46165 at
Nottinghma Victoria on Marylebone train; 46101 on shed; panaorama of mpd;
46112, 46136, 46163, 4611=22 and 45735.
Coronation' versus 'Coronation Scot'. A.J. Mullay.
76-81.
Critical of timing and nature of both services. Originally Aberdeen
had been intended destination for Coronation, and Mullay considers
that either this or Glasgow might have been better destinations. Timing of
Coronation Scot was too near that of Mid-day Scot. Lack of
special rolling stock and slow timing of Mid-day Scot are also criticised.
See earlier feature on Coronation on page 32.
See letter on page 162 by Davidson.
Further correspondence from Don Rowland and
from A.J. Mullay on page 218, in response and
to George Davidson.. Col. illus.: Bryan de Grineau poster for Coronation
Scot and Tom Purvis poster showing Coronation crossing Royal Border
Bridge with "headlights blazing" against a wonderful Apocalyptic sunset.
B&w illus.: W1 10000 on 4pm to Leeds being overhauled by
Coronation (C.C.B. Herbert); on Coronation Scot : 6220 at South
Kenton on 14 July 1937 (C. Cawston); 6229 in Lune Gorge, summer 1939 (L.
Overend); 6222 on Dillicar troughs in 1937 (M.W. Earley); A4 4488 in June
1937; 60019 at Aberdeen in 1966 and 6244.
Steamships of the 'Big Four'. Alan Tyson (phot.).
82-3.
Colour feature: ex-SR SS Falaise (Denny 1946) at Newhaven on
16 July 1971; ex-LNER PS Lincoln Castle (Inglis, 1940) at New Holland
Pier on 15 August 1970; ex-GWR SS St Patrick (Cammell Laird, 1947)
at Folkestone on 2 July 1971; ex CSP (LMS) Duchess of Hamilton (Harlamd
& Wolff) at Inverary on 9 June 1970.
Pre-group 0-6-0s LNER style. 84-5.
Colour feature: J37 64624 at North Esk viaduct, Montrose, on freight
in 1964, 64608 at Gordoun (Inverbervie branch), both wildly and incorrectly
described as being in the "border region" see letter from
John A. Smith page 162. (all Michael Mensing except next); J27 65834
at Gateshead in January 1965 (Joe Richardson); J11 64444 at Tibshelf on short
coal train in 1959.
Green period DMUs. Michael Mensing (phot) and John Edgington
(captions). 86-7.
Colour feature: class 101 (5 car) at Stetchford of Birmingham New
Street to Rugby service 0n 8 September 1962; class 120 at Birmingham Snow
Hill in empty stock state; class 126 at Acocks Green (in light green, all
remained in dark - most with cat's whiskers); class 128 parcels car between
Spring Road and Tyseley.
G.J. Churchward and his contemporaries. L.A. Summers.
88-92.
Mainly a personality, including man management study, rather than
an engineering assessment. Although Summers does present a different case
a considerable amount of potential material, especially comment by his peers
(notably by Stanier and Gresley), is not included. B&w illus: two
portraits; Stoke Gabriel cottage where GJC was born; interior of Newburn.
Notes that Joe Armstrong committed suicide on 1 January 1888. Col. illus:
5378 on freight at West Bromwich in 1958 and 2873 on fitted freight at Acocks
Green in 1959 (Michael Mensing); b&w illus.: 2913 on Fox's Wood troughs
on Cardiff to Brighton train in 1930s. See letters on page 163 by
D.K. Horne on Churchward's relationship with J.L. Wilkinson,
and on hammer-blow and by David Holmes on harsh working
conditions at Swindon.
A one time East Anglian artery: The Midland and Great
Northern. H.P. White. 93-104.
Brief history with map of local railways which were acquired by the
Midland (with an end-on junction at Bourne) and Great Northern (with a junction
at Peterborough) with lines to Kings Lynn, across Norfolk to Fakenham, Melton
Constable, with lines to Cromer, Norwich and Yarmouth, and joint lines
with GER which extended to Mundesley and Lowestoft. Traffic included agricultural
(grain, sugar beet and livestock), fish, holidaymakers (the Poppyland image)
and assisted in the development of resorts, like Sheringham, Cromer and Caister.
Possessed its own locomotives and rolling stock until 1936. The main train
service was the "Leicester". A journey, shortly before closure, from
Peterborough to Yarmouth in September 1958 is described. Illustrations
(b&w) mainly by author: Peterborough (1958 and 1988), Murrow, Sutton
Bridge (also in 1988 by A.C. Mott), South Lynn, Hillington, East Rudham.
Raynham Park, Melton Constable, Honing, Aylsham, North Walsham, Great Ormesby
and Yarmouth Beach. Class 4 43160 features in some of these.
Rolling stock focus - BR standard Travelling Post Offices.
105.
Colour feature:W80303 (blue/grey livery sorting van) at Penzance in
March 1969; W80408 (Post Office red version of BR 1956-65 livery stowage
van) at Penzance; W 80454 (livery as previous: brake/stowage van) at Old
Oak Common.
Readers' Forum. 104/6-7
Alnwick & Cornhill. Michael H.C. Baker.
Whittingham station remains and road sign to station (both with
illus).
Alnwick & Cornhill. J.F. Burrell.
Prior to 1914 there were only four passenger trains and only one crossed
- at Whittingham. Writer billetted near line in 1943, and noted daily
freights, the three stationmasters on the line, the J39, J21 and J26 used
on freights and D16/1 and D20 used on parcels; some troops were conveyed
during World War II.
Steam in the Yorkshire coalfields. Don
Townsley.
Refers back to p.25: Hunslet 2414
for Stewarts & Lloyds ironstone quarries at Islip: first of intended
order of 8, but remainder diverted by Ministry of Supply: 2413/17/18 to Stanton
Ironworks Buckminster Quarries; 2415 to Parkgate Iron & Steel quarry
at Charwelton, then to Oxfordshire Irnstone Co. Banbury; 2412/14/18 (must
be wrong KPJ) to War Dept., Long Marston; 2412 and 2418 thence to
Guest Keen and Nettlefolds, Cardiff; 2414 loaned to Port of London Authority
and subsequently acquired in 1946; sloping bunker of 2414 held ½ ton
less than Austerity; Hunslet 3594 was a standard 16 in locomotive; story
that Airedale No. 2 was completed before war broke out lacks substance; 3883
- not 3833 - 3883 was subject to dynamometer trials at Swindon in
1963.
Women at work. Colin Hughes.
Refers back to p.20. Railway cartage
work.
Colour images - Backtrack Vol. 6 No.1. John M.
Rhodes.
6018 was taken on 28 April 1963 (had arrived on an SLS special);
34052 was taken on same day (football
special).
The Coronation. A.J. Mullay.
Corriegenda to feature on page 32..
The Coronation. J.F. Aylard.
See feature on page 32: Fastest journeys, and the
limitations to such timings.
Crewe Station. 1837-1965. Don Rowland.
Tranship Sheds. Staff ticket offices: see Volume
5 page 268.
Great Western 'Terriers'. John Binding.
See feature page 262 (Volume 5): illus bottom
p264 error: train deparing Portishead not Clevedon. Notes on colours as
perceived.
Carrbridge - Vol. 5 No. 6 (rear cover). Peter
Tatlow
Which see: Train travelling south not north:
45467 in 1951
The life and times of the LMS Jubilees. E.
Buckley
Writer explains reporting number scrawled on front of 45581 in
colour feature pp28/9; used to avoid Manchester Victoria
- via Stockport, Skelton Junction and Lymm.
Cafeteria car S9211E. Roger Merry-Price.
See illustration on page 52 of former
LNER vehicle converted into cafeteria car: original vehicles were ambulance
cars not buffet cars
The Hayling Island Railway. A.E. Johnson.
Error printed in earlier letter page 50:
original feature page 148 (Volume 5).
Big wheels—L&YR 4-4-2. Harry Jack.
Information added to precis (feature page
4)
Erratum. Editor.
K2 61774 was built at Kitsons and not as stated (illus. page 10:
feature page 4).
Colour files. 108-9
GWR 'Small' prarie tanks: No. 4547 at Penmere on Falmouth branch with
B set and No 5519 at Chacewater on Newquay via Perranporth train formed of
carmine and cream corridor stock on 20 May 1959 (Michael Mensing). GWR shunter's
truck DW 94995 at Westbury, Handsworth and Smethwick station on 6 March 1972
(R.C. Riley)
Book reviews. 110.
Scenes from the past. 11. Railways in and around Nottingham.
V. Forster and W. Taylor. Foxline. TJE ****
"excellent record of railways in the area"
Scenes from the past. 12. The Conwy Valley line. W.G. Rear.
Foxline. DJ *****
"highly recommended"
The Great Central then and now. Mac Hawkins. David &
Charles. DJ ****
"excellently produced book"
A pictorial record of Great Western architecture. Adrian Vaughan.
Oxford Publishing. PT ***
"welcome reissue"
Welsh steam. Gwyn Briwnant-Jones. University of Wales
Press. TJE ****
95 photographs from collection of National Library of Wales covering
period c1860 to 1961. Notes one serious entry concerning caption to arch
on Admiralty Pier, Holyhead.
Banking assistance (N class 2-6-0) on ex LSWR line between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. Cliff Woodhead. rear cover.
Number 3 (May-June, 1992 Volume 6)
Gresley V2 2-6-2 No. 60854 (green) at Finsbury Park.
Geoff Rixon. front cover
See letter from Coster on page 278 concerning fitment
of this V2 with copper-capped chimney, and highly
informative letter from Geoff Hughes on page
330.
Corfe Castle [Swanage branch]. Cliff Woodhead and T.J
Edgington. 116-17.
Colour photo-feature.: 30379 on push-pull on 16 June 1961 on Corfe
Castle viaduct; 80015 with 2 corridor coaches in May 1966 and station with
Pullman camping coaches in May 1966.
The Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction.
Railway. S.C. Fryer. 118-26.
History with map of railway which enables LSWR to gain independent
access to Plymouth: Parliamentary battles with GWR which charged LSWR high
tolls. Involvement of local landowners, notably Lady Ashburton, Earl of Mount
Edgcumbe, the Duke of Bedford and Lord St Levan who gave support. Involvement
of East Cornwall Mineral Railway with its line from Calstock towards Callington.
Following inspection by Major Marindin for Board of Trade opened 2nd June
1890. Notes serious accidents during construction including one in Devonport
Park tunnel. Messrs Relf & Pethick were the contractors. Notes on the
current state of this strategically significant mainline are included. This
article produced extensive correspondence on page 274
: by Baker on construction costs, by
Abbott on residual train service, by
Tatlow on the construction of viaducts in mass concrete
and by Edmunds on demolition of line. and on
page 278 from Coster concerning Tavy Viaduct. and
from Keith Horne on page 218 commenting upon this viaduct.
Illus. (b&w): Shillanmill viaduct; Bannawell viaduct; Lydford (early
view); Brentor, Tavistock, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Tamerton Foliot, St
Budeaux, Ford, Devonport, River Tavy viaduct, Wallabrook viaduct (all of
stations unless stated otherwise). Col. illus. 41316 at Callington and Calstock
on 28 August 1961 (R.C. Riley).
The Ashover Light Railway. Tim Warner. 127-9.
Narrow gauge (2 ft) line opened on 6th April 1925. Owned by Clay Cross
Company, at that time a family firm in which Sir William Jackson had played
a major role. Firm involved in coal, iron castings and lime and railway connected
quarries in Ashover with Clay Cross. Engineering consultant was H.F. Stephens.
Family members, including Thomas Hughes Jackson who was over 90 drove trains
on opening day. Carried passengers until 1936. Remains noted.
See letter by Foden on page 274. concerning current
state of former route and letter by Little on reason for
closure. B&w illus.: Asover Butts sation in 1925 (R. Gratton); opening
day; Woolley Moor level crossing in 1943; special train headed by Joan
on 24 August 1947.
Manning Wardle of Leeds. Mark Smithers. 130-5.
Includes a table of the standard types built by this company which
was formed in 1858 by Alexander Campbell and Charles Wardle, both of whom
were ex-E.B. Wilson & Co, of Leeds. The Boyne Engine Works owed its name
to the Viscount Boyne Estate on which the works were constructed. It is
unfortunate that there are no references, not even to
Rolt's Hunslet hundred. The first
locomotive was a 3 ft gauge 0-4-0ST for Dunstan & Barlow Ltd of Chesterfield,
for which there is no known photograph. The old I class was developed from
a Wilson 0-4-0ST into an 0-6-0ST. Includes locomotives which have been preserved.
Some locomotives were constructed for the mainline companies. One of the
more interesting orders were 1564/5 (2-6-4T) supplied to the 1 ft 11½
in gauge Avontour-Port Elizabeth Railway in South Africa. Another was the
Fell elevated railway (18 in gauge) locomotives (412/1872) 0-6-0. Many b&w
illus.: L 0-6-0ST (1210) Sir Berkeley as at Cranford Ironstone, but
originally to Logan & Hemmingway (contractors) in 1891; K 0-6-0ST (1416)
of 1899 originally to J.D. Howell & Son as Emily of Austin Motor
Co in 1955; H 0-4-0ST (1486) Garswood of 1900 for Haydock Colliery;
3 ft gauge 0-6-0ST 1675 of 1906 Kettering Furnaces No. 8; 0-4-0ST
1057 of 1888 for T.A. Walker, a contactor, then to Manchester Ship Canal,
and as shown as Wantage Tramway No. 7; non-standard 0-6-2T (1704b of 1907)
to TVR as 296; F 0-4-0ST (1057/1888) as Wantage Tramway No. 7; metre gauge
0-4-2ST 1757 of 1910 to Waltham Iron Ore Co.; O 0-6-0ST 1577 of 1902 for
Acton Hall Colliery see letter from Mark Smithers
(page 218) actually M class 2006/1921 at Wissington and
letter from Jim Featherstone which confirms that was
a Wissington locomotive, but had been ordered by Bombay Harbour Trust; 2
ft gauge 0-4-0ST 1371 of 1897 Colonel Wilson; Lynton & Barnstaple
(as SR) 2-6-2T E760 Exe (1362 of 1897).
LMS poster publicity and the Royal Academy. Beverley
Coles. 136-9.
The LMS sought publicity by sponsoring poster art from Royal Academicians,
and recovered some of the cost by selling the posters, some of the most popular
are noted, and there is a full list of the series. The illustrations (all
colour except first) are: Norman Wilkinson at work on poster of Grangemouth
Docks; Speed by Sir Bertram Mackenmal, Carlisle by Maurice
Griffenhagen, British Industries: Cotton by Cayley Robinson, Northern
Ireland: Dunluce Castle by Julius Olsson, The Night Mail by Sir
William Orpen, The Permanent Way: Relaying by Stanhope Forbes (a very
LNWR scene) (all from NRM). See letter frrom Coster concerning
work by Stanhope Forbes and Jack Merriott [sic] Marriott?? (page
278).
Pre-war LNER Atlantics. Philip Colebourn. 140-1.
Early colour photographs: C2 3252 (lined black) Hitchin 1937; C1 3286
(green) Hitchin; C11 9875 (green) Edinburgh St Margarets, August 1939
(see latter p. 274 and another concerning
preservation on page 278); C7 2164 (green) York, August 1937.
Western approaches to Paddington. Cliff Woodhead (phot).
142-3.
Colour feature: 4096 passing Southall on down express, early 1960s;
8750 crossing Wharncliffe viaduct, summer 1961; 6027 at Westbourne Park on
Birmingham express on 31 st May 1962; 7017 at High Wycombe on up express
in 1961.
The Red Hall [Bourne, Essendine Railway] J.C. Cutler.
144-6.
Country house which became a railway station. House owned by Gilbert
Fisher in 1633; James Digby in early nineteenth century, Philip
Pauncefort-Duncombe sold house to Essendine Railway Co in about 1857. Railway
opened 16 May 1860. Present state of house. References. Several illus. (including
colour).
The use of 'checks' and 'cheques' in steam days at Swindon
works. Ken Gibbs. 147-50.
Payment methods for wages grades. See letter from
Michael J. Smith on page 218 concerning working methods at Paddington
in early 1950s.
A 'Blue pencil' storm in a BR teacup. Norman
Seabrooke. 151.
Relief stationmaster and visit of auditor at station where money was
borrowed from the till for tea-making. Author's initial
interview with LMS recounted in 17 page 186. His career at Wellingborough
is told in Vol. 8 page 187 et seq.
Woodlesford - North Eastern Region 1964 - life, traffic
and incidents at a wayside main-line station. Alan L. Bailey. 152-60.
Author reported to Stationmaster Tom Swaby in May 1964, by which time
most paasenger services were worked by DMUs (Leeds to Sheffield stopping
trains and trains from Leeds to Knottingley. There was commuter traffic to
Leeds and this caused a rush in ticket booking for the main train. Most of
the freight was still worked by steam. The main freight handled was inwards
coal to Stourton Grange power station and the writer was responsible for
checking the quantities arriving. There had been traffic to Bentley's Yorkshire
Brewery, but most of this had gone. There were several serious accidents
to railway staff and a derailment of the St Pancras to Glasgow sleeper
on 28 September 1964. Some work was also performed at Altofts and at Methley.
B&w illus. (by author): 1964 May: WD 90768 on freight' D52 on Leeds St
Pancras express; 8F 48080 shunting; Highland Railway 103 light engine; June:
class 3 2-6-0 77010 on freight; class 5 73164 on freight; 8F 48048 with brake
vans and 8F on front; 5 45211 on Leeds-Sheffield slow train; 45072 on freight;
August: 45428 on Leeds-Sheffield local; 8F 48641 on coal train: 28 September
1964: Ivatt class 4 on East & West Yorks Union line freight; derailment
of St Pancras to Glasgow sleeper; D1748 on train of tank wagons on 8 March
1968; class 25 7561 leaving Stourton up yard on 14 July 1971.
Author notes some errors in letter page 218 and proposal
for Channel Tunnel freight terminal in that area: this
is also covered in letter by R.B. Shaw.
Rolling stock focus - the LNER Coronation observation
cars. 161.
Col. illus.: E1729E as in original state, but in maroon livery near
Luib on Oban line in 1957 (F.W. Shuttleworth) and as modified to give better
views on turntable at Fort William on 2nd July 1962 (Cliff Woodhead).
Readers' Forum. 162-3.
Cab signalling. A.V.N. Priest.
Illustration of Raven apparatus is to his mechanical system (patented
in 1892), not to his later electrical system which is described
on page 37. The mechanical system was successful in
operation.
Cab signalling. R.D. Easden.
Justification for including Radio electronic token block (RETB) and
clearer account of BR AWS than on page 37 et
seq.
Annesley's Scots. Mike Thompson.
Corriegenda: see page 71.
Scottish 0-6-0 workings. John A. Smith.
Bervie is not in Scottish Border region: see photo-feature
page 84.
Manchester Central. Robert Emblin.
Feature page 60 by writer: list of
corriegenda.
Manchester Central. J. Sawyer.
See feature page 60: did not mention Liverpool Lime
Street to Guide Bridge train which reversed in Central Station and followed
Fairfield Loop (a residual service).
The LNER 'Coronation' express. George A.
Davidson.
Arguments in favour of the commercial success of the Coronation
train (see page 76) as supported by Bonavia's History
of the LNER. Further correspondence from Don Rowland
and from A.J. Mullay on page 218, in response
and to this.
Big wheels/G.J. Churchward. D.K. Horne.
See feature on page 4 et seq on big driving
wheels: writer considers relationship between motive power and track
and bridges (hammer blow, fatigue and advances in metallurgy).
See also page 88 for observations on relationship
between J.L. Wilkinson and Churchward (note symmetry within
letter!).
G.J. Churchward. David Holmes.
See feature on page 88: Harsh working conditions
in Swindon Works: notes on Alfred Williams - a poet who was employed in the
Works: Note letter from Ken Gibbs on page 218 that
apprentices were normally paid off at end of apprenticeship.
'Battle of Britain' 4-6-2 at Eastleigh. L.
Elsey.
Date of photograph of 34052 was 6 August 1961. Table
of LNER sleeping cars/restaurant cars converted into cafeteria cars at Eastleigh
Carriage Works.
Colour files - the Holbeck breakdown crane 1973. John
Bateman. 164.
40 ton steam crane DE 351159; riding van, tool van and packing van
converted from Gresley and Thompson vehicles. Further
information from R.B. Shaw (page 218) which notes that photographs were taken
at Neville Hill.
Book reviews. 166.
The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway. Brian Hart. Wild
Swan. HPW. *****
"deals with the story of the line in loving detail", although regrets
the absence of any mention of geology which dictated the precipitous character
of the line.
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway guidebook. Don Martin and A.A.
MacLean. Strathkelvin District Council Libraries. TJE ****
(content) * (presentation)
"well researched", but Bishopbriggs appears to be far removed from
printing technology.
Lesser railways of the Yorkshire Dales. Harold D. Bowtell.
Plateway. DJ ****
"exceedingly well-produced book" covering the railways constructed
to serve dam-building projects. many of which were narrow gauge.
The tramways of Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes. J.H. Price.
LRTA. PT ****
"considerable amount of information has been packed into these pages".
Perhaps unfairly reviewer requests an index.
Irish railways in pictures—No. 2 the Midland Great Western
line. Irish Railway Record Society. TJE ****
"Exceedingly good value"
The Cheddar valley with Ivatt 2-6-2T No 41242 on local from Yatton to Witham. near Lodge Hill in 1963. Colin Tribbeck. rear cover.
'Castle' class 4-6-0 No 5034 Corfe Castle at Lapworth station. Michael Mensing. front cover.
Thirty years ago at Harringay. Patrick [Philip]
Ransome-Wallis. 172-3.
Col. illus.: B1 61114 on down Grimsby express in 1960; A3 60039 on
down fitted freight in 1960?; V2 (with outside steam pipes) on southbound
freight in 1960; A4 Pacifics on Tees-Tyne Pullman in 1960 and 1962
(60001 on up and 60008 on down). Very extensive notes
by J.F. Aylard p. 330.
Banbury - all changes. Bill Simpson. 174-9.
History of Banbury station with accent on reconstruction, first considered
in 1930s, but performed under British Railways and reopened in November 1958.
Many illustrations of work in progress and completed buildings. Does not
ignore the then (1992) current pattern of usage. See letter
from Stephen G. Abbott (page 330) noting that the new station had a platform
for the already withdrawn service to Chipping Norton. Col. illus (Michael
Mensing): 5917 on train for Bournemouth; 6124 on two-coach Oxford
local.
Marshalling yards. R.J. Essery. 180-4.
Flat; gravitation and hump, including mechanized hum as at Toton and
Whitemoor (both illustrated when new).
The Main line that never was: the sorry tale of the Malton
and Driffield Railway. Warwick R. Burton. 185-92.
Intended to be a mainline railway to Hull but ended up as a backwater:
received Act on 26 June 1846 and was supported by Hudson. It was opened on
19 May 1853 following a critical inspection by Capt. Douglas Galton for the
Board of Trade. The construction of the line is covered at some length including
the behaviour of the navvies, mostly local, and difficulties experienced
in the construction of Burdale Tunnel with landslides in the chalk approaches.
The chalk was exploited in nearby quarries to provide traffic for the line.
Traffic for 1912 is analyses, especially that at Wharram. There are pictures
of the staff at Wharram and Wetwang. The arrival of HM King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth at Sledmere Statiion on 6 July 1948 is illustrated. The closure
of the line and its then (1992) current state are described.
Camden motive power. Dick Riley (phot.) and David Jenkinson
(captions). 193-5.
Col. illus.: 47529 on 16 Feb 1958; Caprotti 5 44741 on 29 Sept 1958;
45660 on tuntable on 31 March 1962; 46148 in August 1955; 46200 (red) and
46220 (green) on 3 June 1962. Captions refer to "Oswestry": this should be
Shrewsbury (see letter page 278).
Standard steam in Central Wales. Malcolm Thompson (phot.).
196-7.
Col.illus. (all passenger trains): 75029 at Llanuwchllyn on 6 Sept
1963; 82031 (green) at Machynllech on 24 May 1962; 73096 (green) at Builth
Road on 24 May; 73036 (green) at Builth Road on 26 May, and 73025 at Craven
Arms on 23 May (all 1962).
Southern steam at Allbrook Junction [Eastleigh]. Les
Elsey. 198-200.
Col. illus.: 73155 and 34050 on football specials on 27 April
1963; 34089 on Royal Train consisting of Pullman cars on 5 August 1961; 92212
on trian of oil tank wagons from Fawley on 17 July 1962; 34028 on express
on 6 April 1962.
Locomotive manufacturing - Part 2. Michael Rutherford.
201-6.
Skeletal history from Stephenson Planet-type with their crank
axle failures, the improvements wrought through Naismyth's steam hammer;
Stephensons' Patentee; greater control over external manufacture achieved
by Daniel Gooch; William Buddicom and his Crewe-type; Edward Bury
and the Clarence Foundry (and the lack of knowledge about James Kennedy);
Stephensons' long boiler type; Fiarbairn; John Gray and his patent No. 7745
which anticipated "modern valve settings"; E.B. Wilson and Jenny Lind
without much Joy. Illus. page 204 lower Neilson locomotive
being exported to Ouest Railway in France at Folkestone, but see letter by
O.R. Wilson on page 106 of \Volume 7 which states
that location was Newhaven..
Railway interest in buses 1903-1939. Jeffrey Wells.
207-16.
Both the Lynton & Barnstaple and Great Western Railway started
bus routes in 1903: the latter from Helston to The Lizard. Soon the GWR added
routes from Newlyn to Marazion and fro Penzance to St Just. By 1914 there
was an extensive network of GWR services, and further growth took place after
WWI. Other railway bus operators, such as the NER and GNoSR, between 1900
and 1920 are listed. Bus competition grew and the LMS acquired Crosville
and set up Hebble Motor Services (jointly with the LNER) in the late 1920s,
but the railway companies acted jointly to acquire substantial financial
interests in the major bus groupings: British Automobile Traction; Thomas
Tilling and the Scottish Motor Traction groups. These took over the extensive
GWR direct services, and other services operated directly by the railway
companies. The Joint Omnibus Committees involving the LMS and local authorities
(Todmorden and Huddersfield), and with the LNER (Sheffield and Halifax) are
also examined. The demise of such involvements came in 1968. The unsuccessful
operation of buses by the Mersey Railway (successfully challenged by Birkenhead
Corporation) is also considered. Bibliography and maps.
See letter (Vol. 7 page 107) from J.M. Cummings
(author of books on subject, e.g. Ottley 10953) noting errors, mainly
in numbers.
Rolling stock focus - Pre-grouping inspection saloons.
Tim Shuttleworth. 217.
At Wolverton two former LNWR saloons awaiting scrapping: 45022 former
Bangor District Engineer's and M45033M former North Lancashire Engineer's
and former WCJS family saloon. At Wednesfield M45039M - Wolverhampton District
Engineer's ex L&YR Officers' Saloon.
Readers' Forum. 218.
'Coronation' v 'Coronation Scot'. Don
Rowland.
See feature on page 76: paucity of traffic north
of Newcastle: a 4pm departure for Coronation Scot would have interfered
with freight traffic.
'Coronation' v 'Coronation Scot'. A.J.
Mullay.
Reeponse to letter by George Davidson (page 162)
to feature by writer on page 76. Sticks to his guns
concerning "commercial failure" of Coronation and suggested that Newcastle
might have been a more suitable terminating point. [Nobody appears to have
mentioned Whitelaw who must have been keen for a Scottish destination and
highly appropriate in relation to the Empire Exhibition, and the Commonwealth
theme for the locomotives KPJ]
Manchester Central. J.H. Price.
See feature on page 60: Harwich trains ran via Chorlton
until terminated at Manchester Piccadilly: there was no crossover at approach
to London Road suitable for passsenger traffic at that time.
Woodlesford. Alan L. Bailey.
Corriegenda and addenda: Channel Tunnel Freight Terminal:
feature page 152.
Holbeck crane/Woodlesford. R.B. Shaw.
Crane was at Neville Hill depot when photographed on an open day
see page 164. Freightliner Terminal: feature
page 152..
Manning Wardle (Vol. 6 No. 3). Mark Smithers.
See feature on page 130: "O class 1577/1902" was
M class 2006/1922 at British Sugar Corporation, Wissington in 1962. 448/1873
was not for Chatham Dockyard, but for School of Military Engineering,
Chatham.
Manning Wardle (Vol. 6 No. 3). Jim
Featherstone.
See feature on page 130: M class 2006/1921 was
built for Bombay Harbour Trust but became Wissington Light Railway No. 17.
Acton Hall should be Ackton Hall Colliery.
The Tavy Viaduct. Keith Horne.
Comments upon design (see page 118) and hypothesises
upon certain ad hoc elements apparent in it.
Checks and cheques. Michael J. Smith.
Checking off early at Paddington station whilst employed as temporary
staff member in early 1950s: see feature on page
147.
GWR apprenticeship. Ken Gibbs.
See letter by David Holmes on page 163: Points
out that normal for apprentices not to be kept on after end of
training.
Excursion trains. Elizabeth and Arthur
Jordan.
See letter (page 50) from S.J. Dixey: Society
of Friends organized excursion from Liverpool to Manchester on 16 September
1830, and ran reduced fare excursions to Sankey Viaduct in October 1830.
The Canterbury & Whitstable ran an excursion on 19 March 1832, and the
Bodmin & Wadebridge, Leeds & Selby, Newcastle & Carlisle all
ran excursions prior to the MCR in 1840. See
writers' Away for the day (Silver Link 1991)
Colour files - big four push-pull. 220-1.
H class 31177 pushing away from Goudhurst (P. Ransome-Wallis); C15
67474 [at Arrochar & Tarbert]: see letter page 275
concerning locomotive, train and the then current state of station; 41277
passing Stretton and Clay Mills on Burton to Tutbury train (Michael Mensing);
6434 near Baptist End Halt on Old Hill to Dudley single coach train (remainder
two carriage) (Michael Mensing).
Book reviews. 222.
The great British railway: a living history.
Tony Hall-Patch. David & Charles. DJE. *****
There have been many general books on the history of British railways
and one might be forgiven for thinking that there was no room for more. But
this fine volume would give the lie to such a statement. It is a magnificently
produced work written by a genuine expert and gives further proof, were such
needed, that D&C (under new ownership) is maintaining the traditions
of its founders.
The book has been produced in conjunction with the National Tourist Boards
of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and is essentially a 'starter'
survey of our whole railway story, the vital stages of which are then linked
to the many surviving artefacts which can still be seen in our various museums,
galleries and private preservation sites. Production values are superb, using
heavyweight satin finish paper and much fine colour interspersed with excellent
black and white illustrations. No doubt the nature of the sponsorship may
have had something to do with that; but it does mean that in purely
value-for-money terms, the book is to be commended. But what makes it
significantly different is that it is rather more than a mere tourist guide
for those who would like to know where to find things; the name and reputation
of its author ensures that.
Mr Hall-Patch was the Curator of Rail Transport at the Science Museum, sat
on the adisory committee for the NRM, was largely instrumental in the manufacture
and display of the reproduction broad gauge locomotive Iron Duke and played
a pivotal role in the recovery to this country of the largest rigid-frame
steam locomotive of British manufacture to be displayed in this country –
the Chinese Government Railways 4-8-4 at the NRM. Unlike many authors of
'portmanteau' books, he uses his knowledge to give the contents real historical
'clout' and this is what distinguishes the book from the many outwardly similar
compilations. For example, on page 24, there is one of the finest and simplest
expositions of the celebrated Hackworth 'return flue' boiler which I have
ever read – and this is not the only example I could quote; you don't
usually find that sort of thing in the typical 'coffee table' book!
The book therefore succeeds on two counts. It will certainly give a valuable
historical dimension to those who are encountering the subject for the first
time; but it will also act as a valuable encapsulation of the whole story
for those who come to the topic with a greater degree of prior know- ledge
who might otherwise dismiss it as 'just another of the same'. It is not,
and therein lies its strength. Highly recommended.
The Pilmoor Boroughbridge and Knaresborough Railway. Patrick
Howat. Martin Bairstow. DJ ****
This attractive volume is the first we have received for review from
one of the smaller specialist railway publishers in the North of England
whose products are fast gaining a deservedly high reputation.
Unsurprisingly, they mostly concentrate on railways in the local area (mainly
east of the Pennines and north of the Trent) and the title in question is
no exception. But it is a model of how a monograph should be compiled and
those authors considering similar treatment of the smaller (and often forgotten
or overlooked) sections of our railway network could do far worse than analyse
Mr Howat's approach, regardless of their region of study. Starting with an
excellent map, the author first outlines the history of the line, follows
it by a fine station by station survey (complete with further explanatory
maps and the all- important track layouts) and rounds it all off with an
excellent series of essays on such matters as Goods Delivery, Trains and
Locomotives, Train Control and Signalling. He finishes with valuable sections
on the effect of the Second World War and the final closure, together with
useful appendices.
The work is well researched and, speaking as one who knows the area well,
I was unable to find any obvious errors. Some of the pictures lack a little
in quality but this is more than offset by their rarity and the author's
clear unwillingness to use the sort of hackneyed views with only marginal
relevance to the theme which far too many writers seem to think is all that
is necessary. The only real deficiency is some form of detailed contents
list or index.
Whether or not you buy it may well depend on your depth of interest in the
area, but viewed purely objectively, both author and publisher are to be
highly commended for their enterprise. We look forward to seeing more from
this source.
The locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley. O.S.
Nock. Patrick Stephens. JTVR ****
The first edition of this book, which your reviewer bought new in
1945, was published in conformity with the war economy standard, but somebody
must have taken an unusually gener- ous view of it, because it was well-printed
on good art paper and fully illustrated. It was O. S. Nock's first book,
and an admirable opening to his long innings: well written (of course), a
lucid and comprehensive narrative not overburdened with minor details or
gratuitous expressions of opinion, in which technical description is leavened
by accounts of performance. This new edition is of a slightly larger format,
enabling most of the original illustrations to be printed slightly larger.
Some of these came from Sir Nigel himself, when Nock was preparing the articles
for the Railway Magazine on which the book was based. Others came
from well- known photographers of the period: Reynolds, Wethersett, Tidey,
Nunn and Weight are acknowledged. The new edition has many more illustrating
the original ten chapters and Nock has added three new fully illustrated
chapters on the history of the locomotives after Sir Nigel's death. It is
significant, however, that the 42 illustrations to these three chapters are
almost all of Pacifies, the exceptions being five of V2s and one of The
Great Marquess.
The extra chapters inevitably deal with controversial matters. The author,
in spite of every effort to be generous, cannot disguise his dismay at the
sordid activities of Mr. Thompson, in spite of which the narrative remains
entertaining. When it comes to the last years of the A3s, the real transformation
wrought by the fitting of double Kylchap exhausts is barely given a mention,
though this was in line with Gresley's own plans for the development of the
LNER express locomotive. Instead, much is made of the optical lining up and
closer tolerances in bearings of all sorts, derived from Swindon's practice.
Your reviewer takes leave to doubt the importance of the optical lining up,
in a machine with flexible frames and sprung axles, though its original
application to the far more rigid bar-framed German locomotives was effective
and - most importantly - time saving. The disappearance of the Gresley 'ring'
was mainly due to the progressive wartime replacement of highly resonant
high-duty alloy steel by milder steel with greater internal damping, and
greater weight as well. Around the end of the war, you could ring the rods
of two Pacifies and get entirely different sounds.
There are many basically later books dealing with Gresley and his achievements,
and they are still being written. He was the most courageous, imaginative
and original of British locomotive engineers since Robert Stephenson, but
then he had thirty years of the top responsibility on a great main line railway,
plus the added spur of a perpetual need to economise. This handsome reissue
of O.S. Nock's book is not a piece of hagiography, but a substantial account,
a serious piece of history, which does not only concern itself with highlights
but shows the careful treatment of pre-Gresley designs, the tact and good
housekeeping which used to be so much a part of the work of an engineer with
high responsibility. The story is now well known and has been often told,
but never better than it has been told here.
Edinburgh Waverley Station (panoramic view from west end with B1 61244 departing on non-corridor train, c 1958). rear cover.
Part 5 (September/October 1992)
'King Arthur' class (N15) No 30806 Sir Galleron
leaving Ramsgate for Victoria. P. Ransome-Wallis. front cover.
See correspondence from C.J. Meredith on scene (train
was winter version of Kentish Belle and photographer on page 330.
Further correspondence which stresses that train is being shunted into carriage
sidings (R.L. Ratcliffe on page 50 of Volume
7).
Plus ça change...227
Editorial by David Jenkinson refers to undisciplined chaos which resulted
from separation of infrastructure from operations. From this it could be
argued that Tory Party with its great sense of history was prepared for some
passenger deaths as a result of its policies (see Paddington, Hatfield, Potters
Bar and where next) and why no thinking person should ever vote Tory again.
Correspondent, D.K. Horne (page 330) reinforces this
view.
Eight-coupled freight [locomotives]. 228-9.
Col. illus.: 28xx 2818 on freight at Acocks Green on 16 June 1959
(Michael Mensing*); O4/3 63649 in 1950s (F.W. Shuttleworth); 8F 48275 at
Patricroft in 1960s (Jim Carter); WD 90311 at Tibshelf (GC line) on 29 Sept
1959 (*)
The mechanics of steam. Charles Meacher. 230-5.
Mutual Improvement Classes, mainly at St Margarets depot: personal
expeiences; care of bioler, examination for leaks - fusible plugs, firebox
stays, and of a different type air enetering smokebox door; valve gear; vaccum
brake, visits to North British Locomotive Co.
The Lynton and Barnstaple railway. Martin Smith.
236-43.
Narrow gauge (1ft 11½in): Act 27 June 1895: opened 11 May 1898:
contractor James Nuttall. Many maps (including several large scale).
Illustrations include locomotive depot at Barnstaple; stations at Bratton
Fleming, Blackmoor Gate and Lynton and Chelfham viaduct. All locomotives
are illustrated include Manning Wardle 2-6-2T, including 188 Lew purchased
by SR, and Baldwin 2-4-2T No. 762 Lyn. Coaches were from Bristol Carriage
& Wagon Co. Notes on acquisition by SR and eventual closure. Includes
a number of proposed lines including the Barry Railway's proposed Minehead
to Lynton Railway. No mention is made of Sir George Newnes
(see Nock Branch
lines.)
Locomotives 'off the peg'. Philip Atkins. 246-8.
In 1837 Robert Stephenson supplied 2-2-2s intended for New Orleans
Railway to broader gauge GWR; in 1865 Beyer Peacock supplied 2-4-os intended
for Royal Sardinian Railway to MSLR; in 1886 Sharp Stewart had order for
Norwegian & Swedish Railway for outside cylinder 0-8-0s, on failure of
this railway the some of the locomotives were supplied to the Barry Railway
and others went to the Palatine and Baden State Railways in Germany, and
through WW1 reparation some went to the Eastern Railway in France; in 1894
Dübs had hoped to supply the Uruguan Eastern Railway with 4-4-0Ts, but
they ended up on the HR; in 1897 Sharp Stewart had intended to supply 0-6-0s
to the Ottoman Railway in Turkey, but they went to the LTSR; in 1896 a Beyer
Peacock 2-6-0 intended for the New South Wales Government Railway went to
the M&SWJR. British "company" designs were also supplied overseas: CR
Connor 2-2-2 supplied by Neilson to Egyptian State Railways which was also
the destination for GER 2-4-0s supplied by Kitson: Bromley/Adams 2-6-0 supplied
by Neilson to Belgian State Railways: Webb 2-2-2-2 supplied by Sharp Stewart
to Austrian State Railway and to Western Railway in France: CR Dunalastair
II supplied by Neilson to Belgian State Railways: HR Drummond Castle
type supplied to French State Railways.
Classic EMUs. 249-51.
Colour feature: MSJ&A 1500v DC stock: at Knott Mill on (BR green
livery and BR blue livery) on 29 August 1969 (Alan Tyson); 2-BIL in 8-car
set on Waterloo-Alton service at Clapham Junction on 10 Sept 1961 (Dick Riley*);
4-COR (12 car set) on up fast at Esher in July 1966 (Geoff Rixon); 4-SUB
at Bickley on 5 August 1957 (*); 4DD No. 4001 approaching Cannon Street on
12 June 1959 (*). See letters on page 330 from R.C. Riley
and from K.R. Whitehead which correct and amplify
the captions.
The Chesterfield area. Cliff Woodhead (phot.).
252-3.
Col. illus.: 8F 48026 on coal train on 7 August 1961 (crooked spire
visible in background); 45659 on Sheffield - St Pancras express in August
1961 (A. Drake): 44849 at Tapton Junction on southbound extra express on
9 June 1962; 60882 on Chesterfield Loop in early 1960s.
See letter from Margaret Girdwood on page 106 (Volume
7) concerning Tapton House where George Stephenson lived.
Industrial steam from Hudswell Clarke. John C.H. Leeson
(phot.). 254-6.
Colour photo-feature: 0-4-0ST 1730 of 1945 as C.E.G.B. at Mexborough
Power Station in navy-blue livery (former Yorkshire Electric Power Company);
0-6-0ST 1631 of 1929 at Byfield Ironstone Co., Crosby mines, north of Scunthorpe
(green livery); 0-6-0T 1822 of 1949 (incorrectly given a saddle tank in captiion)
NCB S100 at Peckfield Colliery; 0-6-0T 1600 of 1927 S.112
Elizabeth at Water Haigh Colliery (both latter in red); 0-6-0T
1742 of 1941 at Cadeby Colliery as No. 20 (light green); 0-6-0T 1858 built
in 1953 at North Gawber Colliery, near Barnsley in faded green.
Shrewsbury - a unique signalling installation. Stanford
Jacobs. 257-63.
Notes on a visit made in 1959 when the Middle box (a purely GWR signalbox,
but with LNWR overtones was still in operation and to the adjacent Crewe
Junction and Severn Bridge Junction boxes which were outwardly LNWR, but
inwardly mainly GWR. The installations included several diamond crossings
and the extensive use of train describers. Special bell codes were in use.
Map. Author's Corriegendum and information from two
writers who had actual experience of working in Shresbury:
Leslie Phillips and B.C.
Price in Volume 7 page 50.
The LNWR's Bootle branch. John C. Hughes. 264-9.
5 miles long branch line off Liverpool to Manchester mainline near
Edge Hill around high ground to north of Liverpool to Alexandra Dock and
Canada Dock in Bootle. George Thomson & Co. was the contractor. and the
line opened on 1 June 1866. Juntion was made with L&YR at Bootle: this
enabled a through servie to be run from Lime Street/London Euston to Southport
and to Aintree for race meetings. Tunnel portal at Olive Mount and Anfield
Cemetery Bridge are illustrated. Link to Liverpool Corporation's Lister Drive
Power Station, with its electric, later steam, shunting locomotives and 20
ton steel hopper wagons. Serious damage in WW2 by flooding (Leeds & Liverpool
Canal and fire: heroism by Goods Guards Peter Kilshaw and George Roberts
and others see George C. Nash The LMS at War
for a clearer account. Retrenchment and current state are also mentioned.
See letter in Volume 7 on page 51 by K. Longbottom
on locomotive workings, Royal Train workings and in particular of the
one working from Rock Ferry on 18 July 1934.
T.E.Harrison. B.E. Lowden. 270-1.
Thomas Elliott Harrison, civil engineer.
For fuller account see
Rolling stock focus - particularly Pullman. Dick
Riley. 273.
Col. illus. at Eardley Road sidings in 1963: Diamond built
Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon in 1926 CIWL and used on Milan Nice
service until 1928 as Ocatavia then returned to UK and renamed. Following
WW2 used as a bar car with several names on Golden Arrow until
Diamond again in 1955. Buffet car (green) S7879S began life as K class,
third class Pullman No 59 and worked in Scotland, then as Hadrian Bar,
finally being demoted to its terminal state as S Reg vehicle in 1961.
Readers' Forum. 274-5/8.
LNER Atlantics. A. Mearns.
Performance of C11 (caption p. 141) implied by " belied
their usefulness" understates commentary in
Thomas's North British Atlantics,
and appropriate RCTS Part where Thomas appears to record that Raven had to
be called in to evaluate the problematic class.
Ashover Light Railway. L. Little.
Closure was not due to cancellation of ballast order: Clay Cross Co
withdrew from ballast supply due to quarry being worn out. See
page 127.
Ashover Light Railway. T. Foden.
Part of route now submerged under Ogston Reservoir. See
page 127.
Plymouth Devonport & South Western Junction Railway.
Howard Baker.
See page 118. Compares construction cost by Relf
& Pethick for PDSWJR with that of the South Wales Direct (Wootton Bassett
to Patchway contract) completed by S. Pearson & Sons. This latter was
£38,805 under the contract, but the actual cost was higher. Writer considers
work on the Devenport line to have been completed quickly.
Plymouth Devonport & South Western Junction Railway.
Stephen G. Abbott.
See page 118. Residual line remains due to circuitous
road journeys.
Plymouth Devonport & South Western Junction Railway.
P. Tatlow.
See page 118. Shillamill and Bannawell Street viaducts
were constructed from mass concrete, not from granite. The longitudinal decking
on Tavy Viaduct was not unusual - it saves the weight of ballast.
Plymouth Devonport & South Western Junction Railway.
Tim Edmunds.
See page 118. Notes on demolition of line between
Tavistock and Lydford. Wharncliffe viaduct: view is from north not
south.
A question answered. John A. Smith.
C15 at Arrochar & Tarbert: more information, but with typo in
letter. See page 220.
More on Manchester Central. M.B. Brackett.
Limitations at Oxford Road on DMUs diverted from Central: restricted
to certain platforms, and signalling required drivers to pass signals at
red. See page 60.
Comments Vol. 6 No. 3. P.J. Coster.
Plymouth Devonport & SWJR.
See page 118. Tavy viaduct: longitudinal timbers:
difficulty of gauge maintenance. See also letter on page
330 from D.K. Horne showing similar arranegements on Forth
Bridge.
LNER Atlantics.
C11 9875 Midlothian intended for preservation, but WW2 intervened:
tender survived at Langley troughs until 1963. See page
141.
LMS posters
Notes abour Jack Merriott posters (see page
136).
Front cover
60854 (front cover): (Number. 3) had been fitted
with copper capped chimney. See long informative letter
from Geoff Hughes on page 330.
Backtrack Vol. No. 4. R.C. Riley.
pp 194 & 197: 45660/73036 were not shedded at Oswestry, but at
Shrewsbury (page 193). Also note on FA cup football specials:
twelve Bulleid Pacific involved, including one unrebuild via SDJR route;
another special worked from Eastleigh via Salisbury and Bristol; 73155 worked
as far as Basingstole where Hall took over. Illus: Battle of Britain' No
34088 '213 Squadron' on one of these football specials at Aynho. Notes tern
push & pull used on GW, LNER and LMS and pull & push on SR.
Colour files. 276.
Willersley tunnel portal, near Cromford on 18 Feb. 1967 (Alan Tyson);
Chapel-en-le-Frith (Central) with LMS Hawkseye nameboard on 11 Febrauary
1967 (as prev.); Fowler class 4P 2-6-4Ts 2328 at St Albans in 1938 (Sydney
Perrier); 42417 leaving Birmingham New Street on 4 March 1961 (Dick Riley).
See letter from D.P. Rowland (page 330) concerning
push/pull/push/motor terminology on LMS.
BR Standard class 9F 92078 at Willesden mpd in March 1963.
Geoff Rixon (phot.). front cover.
Caption requested more information on Toton workings to Willesden:
see letter in Volume 7 page 107 from Ian R.
Canavan on extent of Toton to Willesden workings.
Focus on the T9. R.C. Riley (phot.). 284-5.
30717 on turntable at Okehampton shed on 14 July 1959; 30289 at
Brockenhurst on 28 June 1957; 30711 at Wadebridge on train for Waterloo on
18 May 1959. See Letter from R.C. Wright in
Volume 7 p. 51 and reply from photographer,
Michael Mensing also in Volume 7 on page 160;
30313 at Exmouth Junction shed on 5 July 1961. See
letters from Roger Whitehouse and Jonathan
Edwards in Volume 22 page 188 who note cavortings
by 30711 on page 6 of this Volume..
The rise and fall of railways in Colne. Jeffrey Wells.
286-96.
History of railways in Colne and effect on town which had adopted
the cotton industry following the arrival of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Includes the East Lancashire Railway, merged with the L&YR in 1859 and
the Midland Railway's Leeds and Bradford Extension Railway. The two railways
formed an end-on juction in Colne. The Blackburn to Colne section was surveyed
by Thomas Gooch and Charles Cawley under the supervision of Joseph Locke
and John Errington. The contractor was William and Richard Hattersley. G.
Boulton was the contractor for the Skipton to Colne section. Liverpool to
Leeds were operated over this route. The town was on the route of several
proposed railways: an atmospheric railway to Streeton; a direct line to Bradford,
and in the path of the North West Central Railway from Preston to Bradford.
Includes notes on the locomotives of the ELR; traffic; joint workings between
the two main companies; retrenchment and closure between Colne and Skipton.
B&w illus. include Kerr-Stuart railcar No. 2; ELR 2-4-0 33 Mazeppa
in 1870; electric tram at Colne station; MR warehouse; engine shed in 1936;
42734 in front of carriage shed on parcels train; 48730 inside carriage shed;
52179 and 70015 on turntable; 42492 on Liverpool train; 90762, 43893 and
45156 (last on 5 July 1968). See letter from writer
listing corriegenda (mainly to picture collections) Vol. 7 page
50..
100 years of a Cotswold railway line - part 1. Paul
Strong. 297-304.
The Swindon, Marlborough & Andover was opened between the first
named on 27 July 1881 and through to Marlborough on 1 May 1882. Eventually
connections to GWR were made at Swindon and at Marlborough, but hostility
was experienced from the larger company. Northward extension to Cirencester
was opened in 1883. Line became Midland & South Western Junctiion Railway
in 1884 and reached the outskirts of Cheltenham in 1891. The final opening
should have taken place on 11 March 1891 but the line was blocked by snow.
The fianl section was inspected by Major Marindin. The contractor, Charles
Braddock of Wigan, had to cope with the partial collapse of Chedworth Tunnel.
The line fell into receivership but was rescued by the energetic activity
of Sam Fay offered to the company by the LSWR. Fay was responsible for the
separate avoiding lines between Marlborough and Savernake and forcing the
GWR to double the section between Landsdown Junction and Andoversford, and
for the station at Chedworth. Illus (b&w) include GWR railcar No. 3 on
Cheltenham to Malborough service which ran in 1936 summer only at Chedworth;
Bulldog 3421 near Foss Cross on passenger train; U 31791 on last train and
31618 at Chedworth. Also standard classes on freight at Ludgersall
Part 2: 7-6.
Exit the diesel hydraulics. Geoff Gillham (phot).
305.
Colour feature: D814 (blue) coasting down Rattery bank with freight
on 7 November 1972; class 35 7070 (blue) passing Aller Junction with train
for Penzance on 2 September 1972.
West Midlands freight. Michael Mensing (phot.).
306-7.
Colour feature: 9474 North of Solihull on permanent way train on 18
October 1959; 90369 at Kidsgrove Central on 26 Sept. 1960; 3855 on loaded
cattle train at Birmingham Snow Hill 0n 16 December 1961; Hall on
fast freight on 6 July 1961; 6855 (green) passing Moor Street on 2 Dec.
1961.
'Standards' on shed. Geoff Rixon (phot.). 308-9.
Colour feature: 70049 Solway Firth on Neasden shed in April
1965 (1961 or 1962 see J.R. Morton Volume
7 page 50; 73113 on Eastleigh shed on 28 March 1965; 41240 and
82041 (green) at Bath Green Park see J.R.
Morton Volume 7 page 50 stated to be Aberystwyth in June 1962 and 92243
at Old Oak Common in May 1962.
'Peaks' in the Peak District. Cliff Woodhead (phot.).
310-12
Colour feature: D16 at Dore & Totley South Junction on St Pancras
- Bradford express on 22 May 1961; D102 at Ambergate on St Pancras - Manchester
express on 27 May 1961; D77 at Tapton Junction on Newcastle - Cardiff express
on 7 August 1961; D122 at Sheffield Midland on Bradford - St Pancras express
on 15 April 1962; D157 at Matlock on Manchester - St Pancras train on 16
June 1962. Additional information about headcode panels see
letter from John Smart
7-50..
The lines were immaterial - 125 years of change at London's
Victoria station. Michael Blakemore (captions). 313-17.
B&w illus from NRM collections: exterior with advertisements for
Crystal Palace, Paris, Brussells and Cologne, Queensborough, Flushing, Ramsgate,
GWR services - all hugger mugger; inerior on Brighton side with D class 0-4-2T
and Ramsbottom 0-6-0ST for Willesden; Brighton side from buffer stops; 1908
exterior with extended Grosvenor Hotel; high voltage electric services: station
throat and multiple unit at platforms c1920; merged stations (from Chatham
side, SR when still gas-lit - high pressure incadescent gas lighting until
1927; Souther Belle on its 21st birthday with Sir Herbert Walker next
to N15 793 0n 1 Nov 1929; Golden Arrow leaving behind WC in 1949;
21C156 with L1 assisting on Night Ferry on 15 December 1947; Brighton
side in 1985. Title from Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of being
Earnest.
The origins of Robinson's 'Sam Fays' and 'Director'
engines. Owen Russell. 318-23.
It is sometimes suggested that the Director class was produced
to meet an emergency due to the failure of the Sam Fay class. Writer
argues that this was not the case: the Sam Fays were intended for
cross country from Grimsby to Manchester - both express freight and passenger
as indicated by the black livery applied to locomotives sent to Immingham.
One of the intended duties may have been the "pipe" train (presumably braked
freight) from Manchester to Lincoln for GER. Robinson probably subscribed
to the theory that fewer coupled wheels were betterb for fast work, hence
the Atlantics and Director class. B&w illus: Sir Sam: 423, 424,
423 (oil burning), 5423 still oil-burning. Directors: 429, 434, 438,
509 leaving Guide Bridge on Marylebone train, 431. See
letter from J.H. Quick (Volume 7 page 106) mainly concerning liveries
of GCR 4-6-0s.
Ambulance trains on the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway.
Alan Earnshaw. 324-8.
Operation of ambulance trains during World War I, rather than the
contruction of them. The L&Y was the destination for many ambulance trains
which had originated at Dover or Southampton. The major Receiving Stations
(all are listed and many were joint) were Aintree, by far the most important,
and Halifax. The L&YR provided unpaid volunteer staff, who had been trained
in ambulance duties, to assist in transferring the wounded from the trains
to local hospitals..There were alos Naval ambulance trains, provided by the
LNWR, which conveyed Naval wounded in cots, not stretchers.
Rolling stock focus - train ferry vans. Dick Riley.
329.
Colour photo-feature: SR train ferry van S2 at Eardley sidings on
18 April 1960: four wheel van for Night Ferry service painted dark blue.
BR train ferry van B889009 at Rotherhithe Road on 31 July 1959, newly painted
in BR bauxite livery. See letter from A.M.L. Smith
in Volume 7 page 106 concerning incorrect citation of Diagram No. 815.
Readers' Forum. 330-1.
Harringay (Vol. 6 No. 4). J.F. Aylard.
Very extensive notes on each of the six trains illustrated: including
the sight of a clean Gateshead A4. See page 172.
Ramsgate. C.J. Meredith.
Train was winter version of Kentish Belle. See
front cover of Number 5. Further correspondence
concerning this specific working from R.L. Ratcliffe in Volume 7 page 50:
notably train was being shunted into carriage sidings.
Classic EMUs. R.C. Riley.
Notes on 2BIL, 4COR and 4EPB not 4SUB: see feature
page 249.
Classic EMUs. K.R. Whitehead.
Argues that Bulleid had little input into EMU design: see
page 249.
Pull & push. D.P. Rowland.
LMS used term pull & push or motor train (caption
on photo-feature page 276).
Bridge girders and railway politics. D.K.
Horne.
Refers back to correspondent Coster and to rail
fixing arrangements on Forth Bridge which are/were similar to those on Tavy
Viaduct. Also makes observations on privatization of railways (editorial
by David Jenkinson No. 5), especially separation of infrstructure, via Stamp
regime on LMS to statement (long pre-Hatfield-disaster): "We are left with
no railway" (which of course was original headless Thatcher aim)
Copper-capped V2. Geoffrey Hughes.
Refers back to correspondent Coster and to
front cover of Number 3 of this volume. Kenneth Cook,
CME E&NER, informed letter writer that Bert Spencer had approved of temporary
modification, but Riddles had told him to "take it off".
Banbury. Stephen G. Abbott.
See feature page 174 Chipping Norton service, station
had intended platform for, had been withdrawn before station
opened.
Shrewsbury. Stanford Jacobs.
Correction to caption: see feature on page
257.
Book reviews. 331
The Swanage branch. Andrew P.M. Wright. Ian Allan.
MB ****
'human story' approach, but with feel good factor.
Locomotive apprentice at the North British Locomotive Company.
Nigel S.C. Macmillan. Plateway. JW ****
Within period mid-1940s to mid-1950s.
Colour files. 332-3
Fort William station with train with Coronation observation
car as modified for observation and headed by D5369 (launch Barbara in
foreground much more visible) on 2 July 1962 (Cliff Woodhead); Bridlington
station (exterior with NE Region orange signage) on 22 August 1973 (J. Bateman);
Royal Claud (LNER green) 4-4-0 No 8787 at Welwyn Garden City.on Cambridge
Buffet Car express with goods warehouse and Shredded Wheat factory in background
in 1937 (see letter from R.F. Aylard on page 50 of
Volume 7 on Royal Clauds and on B2 Royal Sovereign) and another
'Claude Hamilton' 4-4-0 No 8835 (LNER lined black) possibly at Cambridge
in 1939 (Philip Colebourn)..
Shunting at Stechford - a former L.N.W.R. 'Super D' 0-8-0
No 49431. Michael Mensing. rear cover.
6 September 1958: very mixed, and long, collection of trucks in train
being propelled.
Updated 2013-12-14