Essendine & MML-11.08.79

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1979 > 16. Summer Tour-07-12.08.79 > Essendine & MML-11.08.79

After a few hours on the ECML we headed west to the MML. The purpose was to capture some of the vintage signalling that was still in operation but that was under threat from a huge re-signalling programme. I am not sure where we camped but it would have been somewhere in the Luton area.

Click here to search The Archive Files

Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.

55015, 09.35 Hull-London King`s Cross (1A13), Swayfield SK994231
Looking very smart with its trademark Finsbury Park white cab surrounds, 55015 'Tulyar' descends Stoke Bank with the 09.35 Hull to King's Cross composed of a rake of Mk. I stock. It's such a shame that the patch of sunshine on the wheat field in the background did not make it across to the track in time to illuminate the train! In 2019, on the launch day of the Azumas, I stood at this spot and took a nearly identical shot, but the subject matter was not quite so exciting, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/26500883404/x158012-em-06-47-liverpool-lime-street
Keywords: 55015 09.35 Hull-London King`s Cross 1A13 Swayfield SK99423

Frontage, Little Bytham station (Closed 15.06.59)
The former station at Little Bytham is charming Great Northern structure that closed in June 1959, twenty years prior to this photograph being taken. Despite this, there is a British Railways enamel notice board still attached to the front of the building. Notice in the background the former goods shed and the BR yellow truck that close examination reveals to be a Leyland.
Keywords: Frontage Little Bytham station

55005, 12.20 London King`s Cross-York (1L42), Careby TF019171
55005 'The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire' heads northwards with the 12.20 King's Cross to York. The photograph is taken from a bridge that crosses the line between Little Bytham and Careby. I have visited this spot in recent years and an image like this is all but impossible due to rampant tree growth and, off course, the arrival of the electrification wiring. 55005 survived another eighteen months in service ending its days at Doncaster works.
Keywords: 55005 12.20 London King`s Cross-York 1L42 Careby TF019171

31411 & 31407, 13.29 Grimsby-London King`s Cross, Essendine TF043129
A single class 31 would not cut the mustard on the 13.29 Grimsby to King's Cross so the double-headed combination of 31411 and 31407 was utilised. Here at Essendine, at the southern end of Stoke Bank, the train is seen speeding southward. Notice the faded paintwork on 31411 following too many trips to the washer no doubt. Also, note the white stripe along the bodyside of 31407, indicating that it was a Finsbury Park locomotive. It was based at the north London depot all of it working life until transfer to Crewe Diesel in 1988.
Keywords: 31411 31407, 13.29 Grimsby-London King`s Cross Essendine TF043129

55014, 14.05 London King`s Cross-York (1L43), Essendine TF043129
This is my only picture of 55014 'The Duke of Wellington's Regiment' but what a lovely picture it is! In the August afternoon sun, it heads north past Essendine leading the 14.05 King's Cross to York, enlargement of the photograph reveal that this location is eighty-nine miles from London according to the mileposts. I visited this spot recently and it is broadly the same but such an open picture is difficult due to tree growth and because of the electrification wiring. The bank on the far side has also been subject to some work and there are houses in front of the trees to the top left. Finally, a ladder is needed to get one's head above the parapet due to huge concrete 'toppers' that have been installed.
Keywords: 55014 14.05 London King`s Cross-York 1L43 Essendine TF04312

45115, 17.01 London St. Pancras-Sheffield, Souldrop SP985609
In glorious evening sunshine, 45115 assaults Sharnbrook Bank leading the 17.01 St. Pancras to Sheffield. This view was available until recently as a Network Rail access point was constructed here but with the arrival of palisade fencing, it has now been rendered impossible. The bridge in the background has recently been raised and extensively remodeled to accommodate the electrification wiring. This work necessitated the closure of the bridge for some time thus meaning the residents of nearby Sharnbrook and Souldrop had a hefty diversion to follow. I have a friend who lives nearby and he was somewhat nonplussed with the extra six miles a day added to his commute!
Keywords: 45115 17.01 London St. Pancras-Sheffield Souldrop SP985609

Sharnbrook signal box (Midland, date not known)
The typically Midland signal box at Sharnbrook is seen in the evening light. It is an example of the 2B type box, that was a very common design but, unfortunately, I have no details of when it was opened. I would suspect that it would date from c.1890. This picture is taken from the old goods yard, that itself was situated at the southern end of the former down fast platform of the station that closed on 02.05.60. The box closed when the MML MAS scheme was switched on in 1981 with control moving the West Hampstead PSB.
Keywords: Sharnbrook signal box

Roof details, Bedford Midland station (Closed October 1978)
We arrived at Bedford during a period of transition, but in true BR style, things were happening slowly! This is the remains of the former Bedford Midland station that had closed some ten months previously to be replaced by the new station a short distance north. However, despite this, the station was still standing and access was easily gained. As can be seen here, the signage was still present, this is somewhat of a surprise as I thought that it would have been purloined by locals and collectors? Notice the heavily polluted glazing fitted to the lovely wrought iron roof to a typical Midland design.
Keywords: Bedford Midland station

Bedford Junction signal box (Midland, 1920)
Looking very tatty and very much in the twilight of its operation is Bedford Junction signal box. This box was opened by the Midland Railway in 1920 and was located at the southern end of the original station. There were and still are, extensive yards behind the box. Today theses stable large numbers of class 700 units, not a couple of class 25s as can be seen in this image.
Keywords: Bedford Junction signal box

Bedford Midland station (Closed October 1978)
An evocative view of the half-demolished and now derelict Bedford Midland station. The photograph is framed by the arch of Ford End Road bridge that spanned the lines south of the station. Through the remains of the wrought iron roof work of the former station, the new (and present day) station can be seen complete with the ugly new footbridge spanning the recently aligned MML tracks. The new station had opened some ten months prior to this image being taken. Notice the British Rail Commer PB van to the left, there were thousands of these vans back in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it's white Transits with Network Rail emblazoned on the sides. This image can be replicated today with the same archway framing the top, but the view would be of a huge carpark serving the many commuters using the station.
Keywords: Bedford Midland station

Kempston Road Junction signal box (Midland, date not known)
Another superb Midland designed signal box typical of the MML. Kempston Road Junction signal box was located just to the south of Bedford. I cannot find a date of construction but I suspect that it would be similar to the other Type 2B boxes around 1890. Kempston Junction still has its finials at either end if the hipped roof and a trio of fire buckets under the original wooden steps.
Keywords: Kempston Road Junction signal box

Flitwick signal box (Midland, date not known)
In the dying evening light, Flitwick signal box is seen located just to the north of the station adjacent to the up slow line. Another Midland box of a later design and one that I do not have a date of construction for. Note the electrification mast that has been installed as part of the wiring of the southern MML as far as Bedford, a scheme that was completed in 1983.
Keywords: Flitwick signal box

Harlington signal box (Mid, 1913)
With last vestiges of the evening light behind the box to the northwest, Harlington signal box is seen. It was located on the down fast platform at the station and is a later Midland Type 2H signal box constructed in 1913. This box is still in use today at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road where it is now on a brick base and controls all of their locomotive movements. Notice the extension and raising of the platform underway associated with the electrification of the line that was still some three years away from completion at this time.
Keywords: Harlington signal box

Luton North signal box (Midland, date not known)
After setting up camp, I am unsure as to where this was, we made a nocturnal visit to Luton station. I would have borrowed Graham's tripod to take this photograph of Luton North signal box. On a Saturday night, things would be relatively quiet for the signallman on duty, but at times this would be a busy place to work. Another Midland Type 2B box of an unknown date sometime towards the end of the nineteenth century.
Keywords: Luton North signal box

Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.