Hi!I recently discovered this article on Binton station building in the now long defunct magazine ‘Model Railways’ from 1976. It includes a full plan which might encourage someone to model this simple station.Does anyone have access to, or know of a…Continue
Started by Martin Bromage. Last reply by Martin Bromage May 8.
HelloMy name is Mick Baker and i have recently joined your society.A friend of mine Nigel Hadlow, has taken several thousand black & white photosof railways around the country.With a little help from me with my limited computer skills, i have…Continue
Started by Mick Baker. Last reply by Peter S Lewis Mar 29.
Stationmasters_Revised_January_2022.xlsxChris Hillyard on the Facebook Group "Railways Of Northamptonshire and…Continue
Started by Graham Ward Feb 7.
A very short clip of a cricket match at Roade. A goods train passes. Could it be on the SMJR?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnPSvt-NEeIContinue
Started by Ron Johnson. Last reply by Chris Hillyard RVM Jan 21.
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I like that one a lot - best ever.
A.
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I was on the Helmdon Village Website when I noticed two references to the N&B station there as being on the "Nibble and Clink". Their website search facility is very good for finding some really quite trivial details about the SMJ line, it's staff and the facilities.
Si
Woodford Loco staff often referered to the SMJ as 'The Nibble'. Looks like that was just a shortened form of the title you have found out about on the Helmdon site. I wonder if it was Helmdon GC as opposed to Helmdon SMJ station staff that used the term and also I wonder what this strange title means?
Dick
As I've found 15 different nicknames tucked away on at least 4 different discussions, I think I will put together a new History Page with them all on for easy reference. I will acknowledge sources so please let me know if I miss out any nickname or any acknowledgement out.
I'm planning a page about the pickup goods and Byfield ironstone mineral train in the late 50s / 60s, so if anyone has details such as personel experience, signing on points or working timetables I would pleased to hear from them.
Dick
My dad always called it 'The Strawberry and Marrow Jam.' I assumed it was common usage from somewhere, but it's a bit late to ask him now. His dad was a signalman at the Banbury Lane crossing on the Northampton-Blisworth branch, so I would think it may be where he got it from. Anyway, derivation unknown, but usage definite,as other Blisworth folk seem to have heard it too.
George
George
My gran who lived at Blakesley used to call it that as well. I've credited your name on the Nicknames list in the History pages section.
I remember your grandfather's (although I didn't know him) crossing box which was quite small and was where the sharp bend now is just before the humped back bridge on the Rothersthorpe Road coming out of Northampton. In the 50s and early 60s often a few express trains that in those days used to stop at Northampton took this route back to the West Cost Main Line to avoid the heavily used main loop towards Roade. I remember seeing a Class 40 hauled express cross the road there just before the line closed. There's an amusing story in Derek Mutton's book 'Off Northampton Shed' about a crew abandoning a loco in steam bound for SMJ duty at the crossing so that they could dash off to watch The Cobblers play. The driver due to be taking over from them at Blisworth statiion lived in a house near the crossing so they blew the whistle until he appeared at a window then scarpered!
The famous Banburylane Crossing was the other side of Rothersthorpe and crossed the West Coast. The regular daytime signalman there in the 50s/ early 60s was called George and lived at Gayton or Blisworth. I used to spot there in the late 50s / early 60s and in a couple of months time there will be an article about it in 'On Shed' on this website's sister website Steam Tube.
Dick
Dick said:
George
My gran who lived at Blakesley used to call it that as well. I've credited your name on the Nicknames list in the History pages section.
I remember your grandfather's (although I didn't know him) crossing box which was quite small and was where the sharp bend now is just before the humped back bridge on the Rothersthorpe Road coming out of Northampton. In the 50s and early 60s often a few express trains that in those days used to stop at Northampton took this route back to the West Cost Main Line to avoid the heavily used main loop towards Roade. I remember seeing a Class 40 hauled express cross the road there just before the line closed. There's an amusing story in Derek Mutton's book 'Off Northampton Shed' about a crew abandoning a loco in steam bound for SMJ duty at the crossing so that they could dash off to watch The Cobblers play. The driver due to be taking over from them at Blisworth statiion lived in a house near the crossing so they blew the whistle until he appeared at a window then scarpered!
The famous Banburylane Crossing was the other side of Rothersthorpe and crossed the West Coast. The regular daytime signalman there in the 50s/ early 60s was called George and lived at Gayton or Blisworth. I used to spot there in the late 50s / early 60s and in a couple of months time there will be an article about it in 'On Shed' on this website's sister website Steam Tube.
Dick
Dick
Not really relevant to this site, but I took pics of the WCML Banbury Lane crossing whilst they were replacing it with that deviation and bridge.
You've described the location of Grandad's box perfectly. He died in 1924 so it's unlikely you would have known him ;)
Just for the record, I am sure the name on the box was Banbury Lane. I'll have to dig around and see if any of us took a photo of the box, among the thousands I have taken and inherited.
Great story about the 'shift change.' I can't place any houses close there, apart from canal ones. Of course it's all changed now. (Poor old landowners, generously 'developing' the town for the benefit of the London overspill, and the rest.)
George
George - yes it was Banbury Lane - went there myself to spot many a time when living at home watching the 80 series electrics whizz past. Also went in the box a few times as Dad knew the Signalman. Great times - it didn't half move when the trains hurtled through
George Coles said:
Dick
Not really relevant to this site, but I took pics of the WCML Banbury Lane crossing whilst they were replacing it with that deviation and bridge.
You've described the location of Grandad's box perfectly. He died in 1924 so it's unlikely you would have known him ;)
Just for the record, I am sure the name on the box was Banbury Lane. I'll have to dig around and see if any of us took a photo of the box, among the thousands I have taken and inherited.
Great story about the 'shift change.' I can't place any houses close there, apart from canal ones. Of course it's all changed now. (Poor old landowners, generously 'developing' the town for the benefit of the London overspill, and the rest.)
George
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