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Comment by Dick Bodily on March 30, 2010 at 15:13

I have recently spoken to an ex 2E fireman who has thrown some light on this working. He confirms that it would have been a Towcester races special. He also said that he had fired on such a combination, with a driver at one end and a guard at the other on a Saturday regular Northampton Castle - Blisworth shuttle. He says this sometimes used to happen during extra busy holiday periods. What needs to be remembered is that many expresses stopped at Blisworth to pick up or put down Northampton passengers at this time. Blisworth was like a Northampton Parkway (without car park) then. i believe there was a propsal a few years ago to build just that (a Northampton Parkway) at Blisworth which was vigorously opposed by Milton Keynes' council.

Dick

Comment by Andy Thompson on November 13, 2009 at 15:58

Image by Robin Cullup with thanks!!

Comment by Robin Cullup on November 13, 2009 at 15:33

Another thought re this 4 coach train - the date of the photograph was 17th May 1937 - looking up the calendar for that year, this day was Whit Monday - so perhaps this working was a Bank Holiday special, and therefore a one-off? Racing at Towcester was usually only on Easter Monday, but was there an extra race-day in this year? I don't know when Les Hanson took his photograph at Blisworth - it may not have been in 1937.
More comments, please.

Comment by Robin Cullup on November 13, 2009 at 15:25

P.S. I've added the photo of the auto-train at Blisworth to the Photo section.
Robin Cullup

Comment by Robin Cullup on November 13, 2009 at 15:17

It would be interesting to know what the working was as depicted in this shot of the auto-train going towards Blisworth. I do have a copy of this photograph, it is dated 17th May 1937 and it is described as "Banbury motor departing" so presumably it has come from Merton Street. From what people have told me about the Banbury service, 4 coaches seems a bit excessive.
However, I wonder quite what the day's working diagram for this set was, as I have another shot of this set-up on the main line north of Blisworth taken by Les Hanson. Is this a view of the train traversing the LNW main line on its way to or from Northampton, or has it come from further afield - say Weedon, Daventry or even Leamington Spa? I don't know so your thoughts would oblige.

Comment by Dick Bodily on November 12, 2009 at 9:08

Andy's last comment refers to a conversation with an ex 2E fireman, not to the picture

Dick

Comment by Andy Thompson on November 11, 2009 at 20:18

I received an email from my mate Dick who, as usual has been turning up some most excellent SMJ stuff. Read the following which refers to the image

"I've told him about our 'computer group' and how we have contacted Eric Pickles. He's not into technology. He told be some interesting things, some of which seem to contradict what we already know so I need to get back in touch with Rex to discuss some of the points raised. One interesting thing that he told me that I already suspected was that Blisworth was a signing on point during the 50s and probably the 60s. There were 5 crews who signed on there prior to the withdrawal of the passenger trains on the SMJ and 2 of them were made redundant. The other 3 remained for some time but mainly to crew 8Fs taking chalk tipper trains from Blisworth up the west Coast main line and across to Southam cement works on the Leamington branch. The SMJ morning pickup was worked by Northampton crewed 4Fs which were taken light engine along the Northampton Bridge Street - Blisworth line often at night."

Thanks for your help Dick -

Andy

Comment by Dick Bodily on November 11, 2009 at 19:32

Andy

This is the picture that's in the MRS Journal

Dick

Comment by Andy Thompson on June 12, 2009 at 20:49

Comment by Dick Bodily on June 12, 2009 at 20:36

That's the one!

Dick

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