Uploads from Walnut Rede, with geodata

Tutbury, 6M08

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:44:18 -0700

Alas, the sun wasn't round as I'd hoped. Never mind, its still good to see a bit of freight on the North Staffs.

6M08 the 0456 Liverpool - Ratcliffe sweeps majestically through Hattons leafy glade with 60079 'Bayardo' at the helm.

The semaphore distant signal in the background is Scropton Crossings Down Distant (19) and has just been pulled off for the Down Passenger. It is the last LMS lattice post signal on the North Staffs and possibly on Netwprk Rail? - It was brought into use on 22nd January 1939 as Fauld Sidings Down Home with Scropton distant beneath, upon closure of that box on 15th August 1971 the distant arm was moved to the top of the post, finally the post was reduced in height to 21 ft on 22nd August 1982.

May 2013.

Branston Junction, 7X09

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:46:02 -0700

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Is it really 2013? 20107 & 20096 (the former D8107 and D8096 of December and October 1961 respectively) accelerate away from Branston Jct on their laborious journey to Amersham with 7X09, the 1042 departure from Old Dalby.

May 2013 (?)

Branston Junction, 5Z81

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:42:48 -0700

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

In a very lucky burst of sunshine, 61306 'Mayflower' gets underway again after a brief sojourn on the Down Goods with 5Z81 Grosmont - Washwood heath.

May 2013.

Norton Junction.

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:10:18 -0700

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

More railway archaeology.... A remarkable survivor in a now very non railway landscape is this little signal post at the former Norton Junction near Pelsall in the West Midlands.

The signal was Norton Junction No.1 Down Starter, No 4, 615 yards from the signal box - the black band reflects the fact the post once carried a 'diamond' sign, T915 indicated the presence of trains to the signalman. Reduced in height at some point in the 1970’s in accordance with Birmingham Division practice, it remained in regular use until around 1977 when the box became just one turn (0800 – 1600) and was switched out the rest of the time. All connections were secured out of use late in 1981 and the signal box closed for good on 20th November 1982 at which time the arms were removed from all remaining signals.

The through line between Ryecroft Junction and Anglesea Sidings closed two years later on 19th March 1984, the track was lifted a couple of years later after plans for opencast coal to be shipped out of the area came to nought.

And so, somehow the little signal remains, high up on the embankment, a reminder of the considerable traffic that passed this way over the old South Staffs line, hopefully one day it will see traffic once again.

May 2013.

Uttoxeter, 2Z01

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 08:47:36 -0700

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Once a year, Stoke DCE had a trip around the area on Inspection Saloon DM45029.

Here, 25048 is doing the honours driven by former Uttoxeter driver Vin Fallows. The train has inspected as far as the Stoke Division boundary at Weir lane Crossing near Scropton, then run to Egginton Junction to run round and reverse. After a brief sojourn in Uttoxeter Down Loop the little train is seen here with Cyril Lees and the other Engineers inspecting a culvert at Barkers Crossing just beyond Uttoxeters Down Starter.

April 1983.

(Thanks to Tuptun Dugdus for the inspiration to scan this one!)

Leek Brook Junction, 6K56

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 06:55:13 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

When Endon box closed on 31st December 1973 the single line was extended through to Leek Brook Junction. Here a new set of points was installed where trains briefly regained double track, the points (27) were reputedly the first to be fitted with the then experimental BR designed clamp-lock mechanism.

Here 47229 swings off the single line with 6K56 Ravenhead Junction - Oakamoor BIS sand empties returning for another load. The train will run-round at Leek Brook before heading off up the Churnet Valley line.

The fresh looking stone in the 4' of the Up was discharged from the bottom of a PGA hopper that came open on a Norwich Trowse sugar-stone working the previous year.....

January 1988.

Lichfield City.

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 06:55:13 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Waiting a path through Lichfield City station is 31242 with an engineers train for Anglesea Sidings. The train ran on days when the tanks (6M65) didn't and was engaged in recovery of the through line to Walsall that had closed two years previously.

March 1986.

Redmire, 6N53

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 03:51:27 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Shortly after arriving at Redmire, Thornabys 20172 & 20028 shunt the emtpty hoppers prior to loading and return to Tees Yard as 6N54 with limestone for Lackenby BSC.

November 1988

Perth, River Tay Bridge.

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:18:35 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

I always liked the Scotrail livery on a Brush 4. Here 47704 'Dunedin' leaves Perth and crosses the Tay on the single line to Barrhill with a Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen service.

November 1988.

Montrose, 6M64

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:16:39 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Growling it's way over Montrose Viaduct on the single line to Usan is odd-ended 37072 with 6M64 Aberdeen - Willesden Brent Speedlink.

October 1988

Peak Forest

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:07:50 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

The things we used to do.....

Winter 1986, Peak 45037 hitches up to a set of empty PCA's in an attempt to return them through the snow to Earles Sidings.

I seem to remember the journey home was 'interesting'............

Peak Forest South is a MR type 4d design opened by the LMS on 5th July 1925. It was reframed with a 50 lever LMR std frame second hand from Tebay No.2 in 1974.

47317 looks on.

Uttoxeter East

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 01:56:02 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all.

Just another day on the North Staffs as the usual 3 car 120 coasts past Uttoxeter Racecource with a Lincoln - Crewe working, December 1984.

The signals are Uttoxeter Up Starter and Down Distant. The former having the distinction of being controlled by four different signalboxes in it's time - Uttoxeter East until 1969, Uttoxeter West until 1973, Pinfold Crossing until 1981 and finally the current Uttoxeter.

Craven Arms & Stokesay, 2M51

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:06:09 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

The 0811 Cardiff - Shrewsbury consisting of 153327 totters along the last few yards of the Central Wales line before joining the main line at Central Wales Junction, Craven Arms.

Until 1965 with the rationalisation of the Central Wales Route the junction was controlled by Craven Arms Junction box (formerly Central Wales Junction) but this was closed and control of the points passed to a Ground Frame controlling a slotted joint and released by Craven Arms Crossing (the erstwhile Long Lane Crossing). With the advent of NSTR working the Ground Frame was abolished and the points converted to Clamp-Lock operation.

Craven Arms Crossing Up Main Starter and Down Home (motor worked) can be seen.

December 2012.

Knighton, 2M51

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 04:52:02 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

The Central Wales line exudes a wonderful branch line atmosphere and passes through some superb scenery.

Here the little railcar forming 2M51 the 0811 Cardiff - Shrewsbury coasts into the loop at Knighton for the booked stop at 1218. This service can hardly be called quick as 153367 will take 3 minutes short of 5 hours to complete the journey!!

Knighton used to be the end of the double track from Craven Arms but ended up in the middle of the long single lone section to Llandrindod Wells following the 1965 rationalisation and instigation of 'Staff & Ticket' working. Following the introduction of 'No Signalman Token Remote' working in 1986 and closure of the remaining signal boxes a passing loop was provided here being commissioned in June 1990.

December 2012.

Tutbury Yard

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:54:52 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Tutbury Yard seen just before abolition of the box in May 1983.

Opened on 20th December 1953 to replace a McKenzie & Holland type 1 box, Tutbury Yard was built to the LMS 11c design and contained a 35 lever LMR Std frame.

Various plans were considered over the years to abolish Tutbury Crossing box (seen in the distance) and control the crossing with CCTV from the Yard box, however none came to fruition so following the cessation of the gypsum traffic, closure came on 22nd May 1983 when the block section was extended to Scropton Crossing to Tutbury Crossing. Here the box is 'switched out' as was usual at the time, it's final fling was the week before abolition when it opened on nights for Single line Working between Tutbury and Uttoxeter, something that will never be repeated.

Branston Junction, 7X10

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:58:58 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Dappled in the morning sun, 20905 & 901 trundle sedately past Branston Junction with 20311 & 314 bringing up the rear with 7X10 0233 Amersham - Derby Carriage Works returning an S Stock set for attention.

Only four passenger trains following!

November 2012.

Dunstall, 6M00

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:14:43 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Oh dear, Branston-on-Sea. It's been a bit tense living here again, the water came up very very quickly. The flooded fields contain the river Trent somewhere, fortunately the levels have dropped quite a bit since their highest yesterday evening.

60017 'Flying Fox' drags the weight of its 30 loaded TEA's away from the goods line at Branston Junction and through the fields on the last leg of it's journey with 6M00 Humber - Kingsbury loaded tanks.

November 2012.

Spondon Station

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:49:27 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

A sunny sunday afternoon sees a pair of 20's meandering back to Chaddesden with an unfitted spoil train consisting of Grampus wagons after saturday night engineering work.

July 1984

Spondon Station

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:49:27 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

The lovely LMR Gill Sans notice used to advise crossing users at Spondon. The gates were long gone by this point, I presume the sign disappeared with the Shunting frame in 1987.

July 1984

Uttoxeter Yard, 0T09

nobody@flickr.com (Walnut Rede) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 04:59:19 -0800

Walnut Rede posted a photo:

Stoke roving ballast trip No.9 has travelled up to Uttoxeter 'light engine' to collect a ballast train left over from weekend engineering work.

25288 is here busy reversing the brake off two loaded 'Stumech' wagons prior to returning to Stoke North West Yard as 9T09.

August 1984