Dick
OK - interesting to hear about the other Blakesley book too. I remember meeting Phil Kingston many years ago when we collected a copy of one of his earlier books on the village, and I also have his BHMR book.
hopefully more soon on the GC Atlantic photo - I'll keep you posted
Barry
Thanks very much for the comments Dick. In fact I have never owned "Raymond", although I have known her since she was built in 1958. She belongs to a Trust called "Friends of Raymond" and will be on view at Stoke Bruerne this weekend as part of the Museum Gala Weekend. The last pair of boats that I ran (until 2001 when back problems caused me to retire) were "Clover" & "Fazeley" belonging to South Midland Water Transport Ltd, of which I was a Director. They have since been sold and restored most beautifully to the livery of Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd, who operated them before they were taken over by the British Transport Commission in 1948. They are also on view this weekend at Stoke.
Hi Dick
Great idea on the specials - I thought of doing something like that a while back - but as usual other things got in the way! Unfortunately I dont have a ref as to the B16 number - the report just mentioned the loco type.
As for the railcar trip, my working Special Trains Notice only cover the local area ie: Blisworth to Hardingstone Junction . It could have joined the SMJ at several points - Fenny Compton or Stratford would both have involved shunts through exchange sidings. It could also have travelled via Banbury and Woodford, but this would have required reversal at Woodford and Woodford West J. I dont think that it could have got through from Banbury Merton St to Towcester at that date ?. I knew of the working before I found the Spec Trains Notice, and until then I had thought that it went from Towcester via Roade and Ravenstone.
Re - the 22xx workings - I agree that they could have arrived over any of those other routes although I think them less likely - the 1958 one does mention 'arrived at Blisworth via the SMJ line' in the report so that seems conclusive, and you did see another at Blakesley yourself. 'Local legend' at Northampton shed also supported the SMJ line route. Actually - just another thought - I wonder if one ever got along the Towcester - Ravenstone line in the same way as a replacement for a 3F or 4F on those freights?
Yes - I was a Northampton spotter in the late 50's and early 60's - our base was Duston West but we got out to all of the usual places you mention plus Hitchin and Rugby as well.
Regards
Barry
Hi Dick
The DMU trip was on 14/5/60 - an SLS trip from Bham Snow Hill - Stratford SMJ - Fenny C - banbury - Woodford - Byfield - Towcester - Blisworth - Stratford - Broom - Evesham - Honeybourne - Stratford - Bham SH - I'd like to have been on that one !
As for your loco list I can add-
GER J69 0-6-0T 7194 and 7385 were noted on the Woodford to Byfield shuttle in 1936
MR 2P 4-4-0 40383 was seen at Moreton Pinkney in 1949 as a follow up to the derailment of a passenger train there
LMS 2P 4-4-0 40672 - same as 40383 above these were engineers inspection visits - and 40672 also ran around the SMJ system in July 1952 on similar duties.(It was 'Engineer Watford' then I think)
LMS/BR Ivatt 2-6-0 - depends which one you mean - I have one of the 43xxx series at Moreton Pinkney on a ballast train in 1949 (after the derailment) and also the class was around in the 1950-60's. The 465xx version worked the B Dassett trip on some occasions towards the end of steam.
Also on the B Dassett subject I have a note that 'Type 3 diesels' from Banbury were due to take over the job from steam, working from Banbury shed - but I dont know which diesel this was.
I also photographed a Class 40 on this job in August 1983 - it ran as far as the handover point for the MOD just past the road bridge at Fenny C in those days
I think that there were also a few other very obscure locos in the early days - I have a note of two ST's named 'Wellington' and 'Nelson' hired from Boulton's, but I'll have to search for the details
The EWJR did certainly have another Fairlie on trial / hire - an 0-4-4 tank which later turned up on the MSWJR, and I think that the French 0-6-0 that you mention was a tender loco not a ST - it was converted later in its life on the Cardiff Rly if I remember correctly
Great stuff !
Regards
Barry
Hi Dick
Juts had a look - fascinating ! I dont know whether youve seen John's photos listed on the Transport Treasury website - lots of the SMJ at Stratford. This is proving to be an interesting exercise - you wonder just what will come out of the woodwork next. Further to your note about the Nov 1962 special with 2210 - I have searched through various railway mags and it doesnt get reported at all - let alone a photo which is unusual as most SMJ specials got good photo coverage. I suppose the clue is an comment that I read (I think on 6 Bells J) about not being able to photo the train at the Blakesley stop due to the poor light - by the time the train got onto the SMJ it would have been pretty dark ! Anyone know of a photo of this one ?
Regards
Dick
Don't know whether you've seen 'Steam days' August 2009 issue - there's three letters at the back relating to the articles on the SMJ earlier in the year. Mentions RAF leave specials from Cardington to Bridgnorth in the fifties running via Bedford, Olney, Towcester and Stratford. This interesting because I know for certain that these trains were running via Northampton by 1957 (you might have seen my article in 'B R illustrated' a few months ago), but i have never heard of them going via the SMJ - just shows that you never know!
There is also another letter about various loco types on the SMJ - I haven't got a copy to be able to quote from I just read them in W H Smith ! ), but it might add something to the list
regards
B
Hi Dick,
No I hadn't - Sounds like a trip to Smiths or the library for a read of the article...
Thanks for that. I will update the list accordingly, shortly.
G
Dick
Good news - about time we had another SMJ article in print - be interesting to know which mag it will be in to save a bit of searching around WHS
B
Dead right I was. 1964-70. I remember you telling me some tales of the SMJ many years ago, on a teachers' course in MK I think it was. I retired a few years ago but still live in Long Street, the northern outpost of Hanslope. Good to hear from you
Hi Dick
I last saw Mr Whitmore in 1965 when at Northampton No 4, he was a goods guard. His knickname was the Councilor. Parish or County I do not know but he did live in Blisworth, but I am fairly certain he passed on during the last few years.
Also mentioned was was a signalman Bob Salmons. Well I remember a George Salmons from Towcester who was connected with the Engineers, possibly a P Way inspector.
Cheers
Chab Chambers.
I'm from Northampton originally, and brought up in the knowledge that I have a local surname, local including a large part of the county. (Surname appears to be reasonably common in Leicestershire, too.) Exactly where it is from and what it means is a matter of debate.
Dick, Thankyou for your reply on 04/11/2010 to my husband about our interest in Blakesley Station.The lady you mentioned, Bertha was my Great Grandmother, & her eldest daughter Mabel Annie was my Nan, & her sister's were Grace & Joyce. My Nan, on a couple of occasion's on a Sunday afternoon took me to see Grace & Derek who then lived at Woodend. I would be very very happy to hear of any more information or storie's, & possibly if you were interested & could spare the time, in meeting up with me, to share these.Ooop's forgot to mention that Bertha was the wife of Harold Drinkwater, Signalman/Porter at Blakesley Station (1920's-1930's), Also love all the photo's, can't wait to show them to my Dad (Eric Fairey), Mabel's son, ( he's the one who started all this !!! ). Hope to hear from you soon. Kind regard's Carol.
Hello Dick, sorry it has taken me so long in getting in touch with you, but thankyou for your reply dated the 15/11/2010. More info on Harold Drinkwater 1882-1941, census records for 1911 his age was 29 & a Signelman & Porter, so I don't really know when he started & left that job at the station. I took all the Blakesley Station photo's & Blakesley Map to show my Dad , well all the memories came flooding back (to say the least), & we spent well over an hour, (dad talking, me listening) about the picture's & map. According to Dad that was his "Heaven" knew every inch of that area, even where to pick the "Best Mushroom's" at 5.30am, & went on to say that "they were the Best Summer school Holiday's he ever had". Sorry to say they stopped when the war came along.I will have to pop over to Blakesley some time as Dad did mention that he carved his initial's on the wall of the bridge, I don't suppose they are still there!!!, also he did say that he remember's the name Tew being spoken, & a Mr & Mrs Franklin lived opposite Bertha & Harold's house. Hope you don't mind me asking , but do you live in Blakesley? It's just that I am doing the Family Tree ,& we have a Mary Ann Drinkwater 1834 married to a Joseph Bodily 1824-1907, any connection's?. Well that's all, (sorry if it got a bit boring) , & "THANKYOU" once again for the photo's. Kind regard's. Carol.
After the demise of the pick up goods no traffic came to or from Stratford to either Ettington or Kineton. I was in the brake van of the trip working that went to clear the remaining trucks from these two stations. The guard had been told that all traffic for the MOD was routed via Fenny Compton and empties there would go out that way. The situation at Clifford Sidings was a little better. It remained open for traffic because of a contract with a local coal and ash merchant who had ash delivered in standard 10t open trucks from various loco sheds that were still open for steam. I remember that the labels on the trucks indicated various sources including Leamington Spa and Nuneaton. This traffic came in via the GW yard at Stratford and was trip worked by the Collet 2251 class loco kept there for banking duties. This was a daily trip regardless of whether any traffic was about because as there was no fresh drinking water at Clifford a churn of water was taken up daily. If there was no traffic to move this would just be taken as a light engine move to remove the necessity of a brakevan and guard. The final traffic to Ettington was fertiliser in sacks and Kineton received coal and fertiliser. I believe the merchant was an agent of Warwichshire Farmers Co-op. The ash merchant at Clifford just seemed to vanish after the supply of ash dwindled due to the on going closure of steam loco sheds. The SMJ yard at Old Town handled coal and bagged agricultural traffic until around summer 1963 again this was worked down from the ex GW yard at Birmingham Road. The two merchants involved were Dingley's and the CoOperative Coal dept.
Hi Dick The wagon labels I have posted show the ash traffic to Ettington as described by John Jennings.The traffic has originated from various western region engine sheds. The recipient at Ettington was a Mr H.J.Jaques. Although the labels are from an earlier period than discussed.
The wagon labels I have posted show the ash traffic to Ettington as described by John Jennings.The traffic has originated from various western region engine sheds. The recipient at Ettington was a Mr H.J.Jaques. Although the labels are from an earlier period than discussed.
After the demise of the pick up goods with its ex MR 4F loco all traffic that came into the SMJ yard at Stratford was handled by the duty loco at Stratford GW. This loco was almost always a 2251 class loco that was primarily used to bank freights out of the GW station in the up direction until they were all cleared out around early 1964. After that various small ex LMS or BR standard 2 or 3 types were used for a while but by early 1965 there was often no loco available for this duty and by 1966 all banking duties had been withdrawn. Until the ex GW sub-shed at Stratford closed the 2251 allocation was serviced at Tyesley after closure they were moved to Leamington ex GW. If you give me your direct e-mail I will send you a load of notes concerning the activities at Stratford GW that will allow you some perspective of how the railways at Stratford operated. I don't think it appropriate to lodge them on this site as they are not strictly SMJ line related.
Yes I am that photographer, the SMJ has fond memories for me and was the catalyst for my intersest in railways. It is hard to believe and I still cannot believe it myself that some fifty years on as a trainee fireman on the GWSR that I fired a 9F between Toddington and Winchcombe hauling a goods train which is where the goods ran after closure of the Stratford to Broom section in 1960.
Many thanks for the welcome Dick. I am one of Frank's nephews, known as William, or Bill, and son of Jim who was the eldest of the Reynolds boys. There were actually five of them, Jim, Frank, Reg, Ron and Cliff. My father was a policeman and I grew up in Northampton and have many fond memories of Blakesly.
Yes Mark Reader is one if our group. He recently joined us when we discovered he had been planning a layout, also in N gauge based on Kineton for done time. His plans are earlier period than ours so there may well be compromise.
I'll pass on your message when I see him tomorrow evening.
47203%20%40%20Swithland%20on%20passenger%2013.6.15.jpgFurther to Dick's comments re the Woodford Halse event at the GC last weekend, I attach a couple of photographs - one of 43106 - a Woodford resident for some in the late'50s/early 60s. This loco moved on to various other sheds including a short stint at Kettering in 1963.
The other is of 47406 renumbered as 47203 going well on a passenger duty at Swithland. 47203 was at L'ster GC as yard shunter in 1958/59,
I am not good at navigating around sites such as this. I have an email with first effort copies of an article I wish to send to you, I know you have been unable to reach me through my usual email address so please try toysteam31@gmail.com
I have seven photos of the magazine's pages relating to Blakesley Hall Railway waiting to be sent to you. I do not know how to send attachments via this site so please let me know your email address. Have you tried toysteam31@gmail.com for me?
Further history on 0-6-0 La Savoie. In 1841 Joseph Locke, engineer of the Paris & Rouen Railway, asked Brassey & Mackenzie contractors, in conjunction with William Allcard, contractor for the Permanent Way on the Grand Junction Railway and William Buddicom, engineer, to jointly supply the plant at the Chartreux Works. Hence the company of Allcard & Buddicom was formed specifically to supply locomotives, carriages & wagons to the Compagnie de Chemins de Fer de Rouen. This contract was for 40 locos, 120 2nd class carriages & 200 wagons. The first locos were built in October 1842, to an "Allen Crewe" design manufactured under license. In 1845 the company moved to better premises in Sotteville near Rouen. The 2 French tender engines 2-4-0 and 0-6-0 were purchased from Le Chemin de Fer de Rhone et Loire in 1858 by Thomas Brassey for a contract in Savoy, namely the Mont Ceris Tunnel Railway, which opened in October 1871. Savoy is part of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region following its annexation to France in June 1860. The test train took a party of 54 including Buddicom, Crampton & Brassey as Director. Both French engines were probably hired to the E & WJR in 1874 from Thomas Brassey.
Thomas Crampton, an English engineer, was the contractor who built the line for the E & WJR and was later a director of that company.
William Buddicom, an English engineer, who built some of the first locomotives in France.
Thomas Brassey, an English civil engineering contractor, had by 1870 built 75% of French Railways, 33% of British Railways, and 1 in 20 miles of railways in the world.
Two questions come to mind. When was La Savoie actually named and where was she built? We know La Savioe was built in one of two places, but was she named in honour of Savoy being annexed to France?
Barry Taylor
OK - interesting to hear about the other Blakesley book too. I remember meeting Phil Kingston many years ago when we collected a copy of one of his earlier books on the village, and I also have his BHMR book.
hopefully more soon on the GC Atlantic photo - I'll keep you posted
Barry
Jun 11, 2009
David Blagrove
David.
Jun 11, 2009
Barry Taylor
Great idea on the specials - I thought of doing something like that a while back - but as usual other things got in the way! Unfortunately I dont have a ref as to the B16 number - the report just mentioned the loco type.
As for the railcar trip, my working Special Trains Notice only cover the local area ie: Blisworth to Hardingstone Junction . It could have joined the SMJ at several points - Fenny Compton or Stratford would both have involved shunts through exchange sidings. It could also have travelled via Banbury and Woodford, but this would have required reversal at Woodford and Woodford West J. I dont think that it could have got through from Banbury Merton St to Towcester at that date ?. I knew of the working before I found the Spec Trains Notice, and until then I had thought that it went from Towcester via Roade and Ravenstone.
Re - the 22xx workings - I agree that they could have arrived over any of those other routes although I think them less likely - the 1958 one does mention 'arrived at Blisworth via the SMJ line' in the report so that seems conclusive, and you did see another at Blakesley yourself. 'Local legend' at Northampton shed also supported the SMJ line route. Actually - just another thought - I wonder if one ever got along the Towcester - Ravenstone line in the same way as a replacement for a 3F or 4F on those freights?
Yes - I was a Northampton spotter in the late 50's and early 60's - our base was Duston West but we got out to all of the usual places you mention plus Hitchin and Rugby as well.
Regards
Barry
Jul 8, 2009
Barry Taylor
The DMU trip was on 14/5/60 - an SLS trip from Bham Snow Hill - Stratford SMJ - Fenny C - banbury - Woodford - Byfield - Towcester - Blisworth - Stratford - Broom - Evesham - Honeybourne - Stratford - Bham SH - I'd like to have been on that one !
As for your loco list I can add-
GER J69 0-6-0T 7194 and 7385 were noted on the Woodford to Byfield shuttle in 1936
MR 2P 4-4-0 40383 was seen at Moreton Pinkney in 1949 as a follow up to the derailment of a passenger train there
LMS 2P 4-4-0 40672 - same as 40383 above these were engineers inspection visits - and 40672 also ran around the SMJ system in July 1952 on similar duties.(It was 'Engineer Watford' then I think)
LMS/BR Ivatt 2-6-0 - depends which one you mean - I have one of the 43xxx series at Moreton Pinkney on a ballast train in 1949 (after the derailment) and also the class was around in the 1950-60's. The 465xx version worked the B Dassett trip on some occasions towards the end of steam.
Also on the B Dassett subject I have a note that 'Type 3 diesels' from Banbury were due to take over the job from steam, working from Banbury shed - but I dont know which diesel this was.
I also photographed a Class 40 on this job in August 1983 - it ran as far as the handover point for the MOD just past the road bridge at Fenny C in those days
I think that there were also a few other very obscure locos in the early days - I have a note of two ST's named 'Wellington' and 'Nelson' hired from Boulton's, but I'll have to search for the details
The EWJR did certainly have another Fairlie on trial / hire - an 0-4-4 tank which later turned up on the MSWJR, and I think that the French 0-6-0 that you mention was a tender loco not a ST - it was converted later in its life on the Cardiff Rly if I remember correctly
Great stuff !
Regards
Barry
Jul 8, 2009
Barry Taylor
Juts had a look - fascinating ! I dont know whether youve seen John's photos listed on the Transport Treasury website - lots of the SMJ at Stratford. This is proving to be an interesting exercise - you wonder just what will come out of the woodwork next. Further to your note about the Nov 1962 special with 2210 - I have searched through various railway mags and it doesnt get reported at all - let alone a photo which is unusual as most SMJ specials got good photo coverage. I suppose the clue is an comment that I read (I think on 6 Bells J) about not being able to photo the train at the Blakesley stop due to the poor light - by the time the train got onto the SMJ it would have been pretty dark ! Anyone know of a photo of this one ?
Regards
Jul 10, 2009
Barry Taylor
Don't know whether you've seen 'Steam days' August 2009 issue - there's three letters at the back relating to the articles on the SMJ earlier in the year. Mentions RAF leave specials from Cardington to Bridgnorth in the fifties running via Bedford, Olney, Towcester and Stratford. This interesting because I know for certain that these trains were running via Northampton by 1957 (you might have seen my article in 'B R illustrated' a few months ago), but i have never heard of them going via the SMJ - just shows that you never know!
There is also another letter about various loco types on the SMJ - I haven't got a copy to be able to quote from I just read them in W H Smith ! ), but it might add something to the list
regards
B
Aug 6, 2009
Gary
No I hadn't - Sounds like a trip to Smiths or the library for a read of the article...
Thanks for that. I will update the list accordingly, shortly.
G
Aug 7, 2009
Barry Taylor
Good news - about time we had another SMJ article in print - be interesting to know which mag it will be in to save a bit of searching around WHS
B
Aug 25, 2009
David Guest
Sep 19, 2009
Donald Cook
Oct 6, 2009
Peter S Lewis
I'm on to it!!
Oct 8, 2009
Mark Hazelton
People are still learning to drive up there although there are a lot more things to crash into these days!
I've not found out precisely how the SMJ was involved with the airfield other than that it was used to bring in 'materials'.
Cheers,
Mark
Feb 2, 2010
David Chambers
I last saw Mr Whitmore in 1965 when at Northampton No 4, he was a goods guard. His knickname was the Councilor. Parish or County I do not know but he did live in Blisworth, but I am fairly certain he passed on during the last few years.
Also mentioned was was a signalman Bob Salmons. Well I remember a George Salmons from Towcester who was connected with the Engineers, possibly a P Way inspector.
Cheers
Chab Chambers.
Feb 3, 2010
David Chambers
Sincere apologies Mr Whitmore was indeed a driver I had him mixed up with aother.
Cheers
Dave Chab Chambers
Feb 4, 2010
alwyn sparrow
Very much enjoyed meeting you .
Alwyn.
Jun 13, 2010
Simon Dunkley
Aug 18, 2010
Robert Blair
Nov 15, 2010
Robert Blair
Nov 30, 2010
Keith Simmons
Hi Dick thanks for your reply re Byfield/Woodford
Rex and Chris Bazeley hold GCR section meetings once a month - they meet i think on the 2nd wednesday of each month
The social Club is holding an open day again this year
The Model Railway was donated some money for renovation work by the Social Club on the premise that we would have an open day
We got all other local groups involved including Rex and Chris with a GCR slideshow and memorabilia
The Byfield Photo Archive
Woodford Historical Society/Photo Archive
It was a good day
I believe it is planned this year for the 14th May i will keep this site posted
Thanks
Keith
Feb 18, 2011
John Jennings
Hi Dick
After the demise of the pick up goods no traffic came to or from Stratford to either Ettington or Kineton. I was in the brake van of the trip working that went to clear the remaining trucks from these two stations. The guard had been told that all traffic for the MOD was routed via Fenny Compton and empties there would go out that way. The situation at Clifford Sidings was a little better. It remained open for traffic because of a contract with a local coal and ash merchant who had ash delivered in standard 10t open trucks from various loco sheds that were still open for steam. I remember that the labels on the trucks indicated various sources including Leamington Spa and Nuneaton. This traffic came in via the GW yard at Stratford and was trip worked by the Collet 2251 class loco kept there for banking duties. This was a daily trip regardless of whether any traffic was about because as there was no fresh drinking water at Clifford a churn of water was taken up daily. If there was no traffic to move this would just be taken as a light engine move to remove the necessity of a brakevan and guard. The final traffic to Ettington was fertiliser in sacks and Kineton received coal and fertiliser. I believe the merchant was an agent of Warwichshire Farmers Co-op. The ash merchant at Clifford just seemed to vanish after the supply of ash dwindled due to the on going closure of steam loco sheds. The SMJ yard at Old Town handled coal and bagged agricultural traffic until around summer 1963 again this was worked down from the ex GW yard at Birmingham Road. The two merchants involved were Dingley's and the CoOperative Coal dept.
Jul 17, 2011
alwyn sparrow
Hi Dick The wagon labels I have posted show the ash traffic to Ettington as described by John Jennings.The traffic has originated from various western region engine sheds. The recipient at Ettington was a Mr H.J.Jaques. Although the labels are from an earlier period than discussed.
Jul 17, 2011
alwyn sparrow
The wagon labels I have posted show the ash traffic to Ettington as described by John Jennings.The traffic has originated from various western region engine sheds. The recipient at Ettington was a Mr H.J.Jaques. Although the labels are from an earlier period than discussed.
Jul 17, 2011
John Jennings
Dick
After the demise of the pick up goods with its ex MR 4F loco all traffic that came into the SMJ yard at Stratford was handled by the duty loco at Stratford GW. This loco was almost always a 2251 class loco that was primarily used to bank freights out of the GW station in the up direction until they were all cleared out around early 1964. After that various small ex LMS or BR standard 2 or 3 types were used for a while but by early 1965 there was often no loco available for this duty and by 1966 all banking duties had been withdrawn. Until the ex GW sub-shed at Stratford closed the 2251 allocation was serviced at Tyesley after closure they were moved to Leamington ex GW. If you give me your direct e-mail I will send you a load of notes concerning the activities at Stratford GW that will allow you some perspective of how the railways at Stratford operated. I don't think it appropriate to lodge them on this site as they are not strictly SMJ line related.
Jul 18, 2011
Paul Stratford
Dick
Yes I am that photographer, the SMJ has fond memories for me and was the catalyst for my intersest in railways. It is hard to believe and I still cannot believe it myself that some fifty years on as a trainee fireman on the GWSR that I fired a 9F between Toddington and Winchcombe hauling a goods train which is where the goods ran after closure of the Stratford to Broom section in 1960.
Paul
Feb 25, 2012
Peter William Reynolds
Many thanks for the welcome Dick. I am one of Frank's nephews, known as William, or Bill, and son of Jim who was the eldest of the Reynolds boys. There were actually five of them, Jim, Frank, Reg, Ron and Cliff. My father was a policeman and I grew up in Northampton and have many fond memories of Blakesly.
Jun 15, 2012
Ian Costello
Dick
please feel free to don't know if you are aware but Rubio is buried at Sholebrook Lodge' Whittlebury
Regards Ian
Jul 1, 2013
Nick Meredith
Yes Mark Reader is one if our group. He recently joined us when we discovered he had been planning a layout, also in N gauge based on Kineton for done time. His plans are earlier period than ours so there may well be compromise.
I'll pass on your message when I see him tomorrow evening.
Nick
Feb 18, 2015
Robin Cullup
The other is of 47406 renumbered as 47203 going well on a passenger duty at Swithland. 47203 was at L'ster GC as yard shunter in 1958/59,
replacing J52 68839.
Robin
Jun 16, 2015
Murray Wilson
Dick
I am not good at navigating around sites such as this. I have an email with first effort copies of an article I wish to send to you, I know you have been unable to reach me through my usual email address so please try toysteam31@gmail.com
Murray
Oct 7, 2015
Murray Wilson
Dick
I have seven photos of the magazine's pages relating to Blakesley Hall Railway waiting to be sent to you. I do not know how to send attachments via this site so please let me know your email address. Have you tried toysteam31@gmail.com for me?
Murray
Oct 9, 2015
NIGEL
Further history on 0-6-0 La Savoie. In 1841 Joseph Locke, engineer of the Paris & Rouen Railway, asked Brassey & Mackenzie contractors, in conjunction with William Allcard, contractor for the Permanent Way on the Grand Junction Railway and William Buddicom, engineer, to jointly supply the plant at the Chartreux Works. Hence the company of Allcard & Buddicom was formed specifically to supply locomotives, carriages & wagons to the Compagnie de Chemins de Fer de Rouen. This contract was for 40 locos, 120 2nd class carriages & 200 wagons. The first locos were built in October 1842, to an "Allen Crewe" design manufactured under license. In 1845 the company moved to better premises in Sotteville near Rouen. The 2 French tender engines 2-4-0 and 0-6-0 were purchased from Le Chemin de Fer de Rhone et Loire in 1858 by Thomas Brassey for a contract in Savoy, namely the Mont Ceris Tunnel Railway, which opened in October 1871. Savoy is part of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region following its annexation to France in June 1860. The test train took a party of 54 including Buddicom, Crampton & Brassey as Director. Both French engines were probably hired to the E & WJR in 1874 from Thomas Brassey.
Thomas Crampton, an English engineer, was the contractor who built the line for the E & WJR and was later a director of that company.
William Buddicom, an English engineer, who built some of the first locomotives in France.
Thomas Brassey, an English civil engineering contractor, had by 1870 built 75% of French Railways, 33% of British Railways, and 1 in 20 miles of railways in the world.
Two questions come to mind. When was La Savoie actually named and where was she built? We know La Savioe was built in one of two places, but was she named in honour of Savoy being annexed to France?
Dec 18, 2016