Electric train staff equipment had been brought into use between Blisworth and Towcester by 9 August 1910 (date of SMJR minute 451 (TNA file RAIL 674/3)) and presumably the new signal box at Blisworth appeared at the same time. In that this was so…Continue
Started by Richard Maund on Saturday.
SMJ board minute 1474 of 13 April 1921 (TNA file RAIL 674/4) approved that “the following expenditure be charged to Capital” for year 1920: “Blisworth: Signalling and alterations to Permanent Way, Improvements and additional signalling: £800”. In…Continue
Started by Richard Maund on Saturday.
Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.
Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.
In the 1950s/60s we had a regular working of a 2F Woodford Halse WD to Bristol. I was always intrigued by how they got there. Does anybody know if that was via the SMJR please?
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Yes, the working travelled via the SMJ; I was a fireman at Woodford from 1956 to 1958 and worked over the SMJ (the 'Nibble') many times. There were several evening workings over the line from Woodford, mainly to South Wales, all WD 2-8-0 hauled and the Bristol train was the first one out at 7.20 pm (book on 6.00pm, prepare own engine, off shed at 7.00pm, depart Woodford Old Up yard at 7.20pm. Changeover with the return working was at either Evesham or Ashchurch, after which the train presumably travelled via Cheltenham and the ex. Midland main line via Charfield to Bristol.
Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.
You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.
Best Wishes,
Bob Bishop
I now know about the 1942 south curve at Broom Jct
Bob Bishop said:
Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.
You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.
Best Wishes,
Bob Bishop
Hello Bob, no, sorry, I don't know the destination yards of the trains; I seem to remember that one of the later departures was to Cardiff, beyond that I don't know. Yes, the connection at Stratford for the Honeybourne line was after my time but drivers were learning the new road when I left Woodford in December, 1958. which is strange because I believe the new connection didn't come into use until 1960. Oddly enough I now volunteer on the GWSR at Toddington, usually in the cafe at Winchcombe, and I assume that these trains passed through there after the Honeybourne connection opened.
Best regards,
Clive
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