3. West Wilts District Scout special to York-19.04.80

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1980 > 3. West Wilts District Scout special to York-19.04.80

Another of West Wiltshire Scouts' charters, this time to York. I travelled with a teacher from school, Mr. Brush, to York from Bradford-on-Avon. For the majority of the return trip we were hauled by 46028 with the train running as 1Z40 throughout. However, on the return, the Class 46 gave up the ghost at Bordesley Junction in the centre of Birmingham. Being so close to Saltley depot meant that 45035 was quickly and easily summoned to get us on our way again. Arrival back at Bradford-on-Avon was less than an hour adrift. Looking back some forty years later the highlight should probably have been the traversing of the now closed former Midland lines between Wath Road Junction and Cudworth and then between Oakenshaw and Goose Hill Junctions. However, back in 1980, I was probably more excited by capturing some good Deltic action at York spending some time at the classic location at Holgate bridge.

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Images 1-27 of 27 displayed.

Brightside signal box (BR, 1965)
On leaving Sheffield station the next few miles of railway passed a manic and somewhat chaotic strip of heavy industry with a very distinctive smell permeating the train. Most of the industry was railway linked in some way or another with a number of minor junctions. Brightside signal box was located at the northern end of this industrial zone and was the point where a short section of line diverged to the east directly into Tinsley Yard. The box was a somewhat austere BR built structure dating from 1965 making it fifteen years old when this photograph was taken from a Mk.I droplight window as we passed. The school on the skyline is still in use as a 'children's centre' and nursery with the now closed Brightside station just a short distance beyond. This station was replaced by Meadowhall that is only a mile or so away from this location.
Keywords: Brightside signal box

Kilnhurst South Signal Box (GC, date not known)
I can find out very little information about Kilnhurst South Junction signal box. It is a classic Great Central structure but its date of construction is unknown but I would think that it would be sometime during the early twentieth century. It was located just north of Rotherham near to Rawmarsh. Notice the three disc shunting signals arranged in a vertical manner due to spacing issues between the running lines. Any information about this box would be gratefully appreciated.
Keywords: Kilnhurst South Signal Box (GC, date U/K)

Wath Road Junction signal box (Mid, date not known)
A scene that is the epitome of Yorkshire in times past! To the centre-left is the winding tower of Manvers Colliery with its coking plant belching out the black smoke to the centre. Our train has just left the Swinton and Knottingley Joint Railway (S&K) route that is the only one still in use today and is diverging onto the now-closed and long removed Midland route with Wath Road Junction signal box dominating the view. The signalman's white Morris Marina, complete with a rather natty vinyl roof, is parked on an area of land now occupied by a large RBS office as part of the Adwick Business Park. It is absolutely astonishing to compare just this very ordinary photograph with the present-day view with all that can be seen here comprehensively wiped away.
Keywords: Wath Road Junction signal box Midland Railway Morris Marina

Wath North signal box (Midland, 1899)
Wath North signal box is passed at speed and looking at the box it appears empty suggesting that it may have been switched out. The box is classically Midland in its design dating from 1899 as is the superb Midland wooden signal post in the foreground complete with its finial. This box and the route between Wath Road and Goose Hill Junction soldiered on as a through passenger route for a few more years until mining subsidence made this impractical. The fast lines were removed first with the line continuing as a poorly used freight route until 1988. However, a spur was retained to serve the Ardagh glass factory at Monk Bretton that is still extant today (as of the time of writing in 2020) and receives regular sand trains from Middleton Towers in Norfolk.
Keywords: Wath North signal box Midland Railway

Cudworth Station signal box (Mid, 1900)
The first of three signal boxes within a mile or so of each other is seen from a Mk.I droplight as we pass at speed. Cudworth station signal box is a fairly grand affair that was previously known as Cudworth Station South. It was one of a handful of Midland boxes constructed with a stone base rather than of timber as was the Company's preferred method. In this view, we are on the down fast line with the up adjacent to it with the slow lines to the right. As the route was run down by BR during the 1980s the fast lines were first to be closed and removed. The much-reduced route lingered on for freight use, mainly declining coal traffic, until 1989 when complete closure came. The box was destroyed by fire in September 1988 with its two temporary replacements also being burned to the ground; arson was obviously a popular pastime in Cudworth!
Keywords: Cudworth Station signal box Midland Railway

Cudworth South Junction signal box (Mid, date not known)
Cudworth South Junction signal box was a short distance north of Station signal box seen in the previous photograph. This is a classic example of a Midland box that is sinking a little in the middle judging by the sagging timbers and roofline. Notice the signalman's Honda 90 moped parked at the top of the cinder path to the box. The mining village of Cudworth is largely hidden behind the box in this image but today it has expanded greatly with virtually all of the farmland behind the chimney now covered with housing estates. The box was closed soon after this date as I have seen a photograph taken in 1984 showing just the base.
Keywords: Cudworth South Junction signal box Midland Railway

Cudworth North Junction Signal Box (Mid, date not known)
A somewhat blurred photograph of Cudworth North Junction signal box taken as we rattle past on our West Wilts Scout Special to York. The Midland signal box has been re-roofed with the finials not being reinstated and it appears to have had some windows blanked off giving it a slightly unbalanced and odd look. The line curving off behind the box led to Stairfoot Junction just to the east of Barnsley and, along with the Midland route that we are traversing, is long closed with part of the thirty-two mile Dearne Way taking the trackbed.
Keywords: Cudworth North Junction Signal Box

Royston Junction signal box (Mid, date 1901)
Having passed Royston Junction signal box I have turned my camera south to capture the Midland Type 3b structure. The box controlled the junction with the Midland route to Crigglestone and beyond. The abutment of the bridge that carried the Great Central line over the Midland can just be seen to the left of the trees towards the back of the train. Notice the jaunty angle of the stovepipe emerging from the roof of the box. Photographs of the box taken soon after this one show this removed. It looks like this work was somewhat overdue!
Keywords: Royston Junction Signal Box

Goose Hill Junction Signal Box (Mid, 1891)
Our train has now re-joined the mainline from Wakefield to Burton Salmon Junction at Goose Hill Junction. The box is a Midland Type 2a structure dating from 1891 and in this image it is still wearing its Midland Railway Company wooden nameboard. The box survived until October 1988 with control moving to Wakefield. Up until recently, photographs reveal the base of the box still extant but I did not investigate this during my last visit to the area in February 2018 in the midst of the 'Beast from the East' weather event!
Keywords: Goose Hill Junction Signal Box Midland Railway

Altofts Junction Signal Box (Mid, 1927)
Altofts Junction signal box was a Midland Type 4e building dating from 1927 and is seen standing high and proud a short distance north of Normanton. Here our train is diverging from the Midland route that sweeps away to the left towards Methley and on to Woodlesford and into the southern suburbs of Leeds. We are taking the North Eastern Railway route towards Castleford.
Keywords: Altofts Junction Signal Box Midland Railway

$Whitwood Junction Signal Box (NE, 1890) Marking a change of railway companies Whitwood Junction signal box is a North Eastern Railway Type S1b design structure dating from 1890. It was closed in 1997 with control passing to the new Castleford control centre, see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23791610004/castleford-signal-box-railtrack In the background the bridge that carried the (at this time) freight only Lancashire and Yorkshire line from Pontefract to Methley can be seen spanning the NER route. The track and the bridge were removed sometime after this photograph was taken only to be reinstated at the end of 2019 but now as part of the Castleford to Wakefield Greenway project, see.... https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2019/december/santas-on-the-castleford-to-wakefield-greenway Keywords: Whitwood Junction Signal Box North Eastern Railway$

Castleford Gates Signal Box (NE, c1870)
As our train passes through Castleford at some speed, I managed a bit of a 'grab shot' of Castleford Gates signal box. This NER box dates from circa 1870 built to its Type S1 design. It soldiered on in use until 1987 when it was closed by Railtrack along with Whitwood and Castleford Station boxes. Control was moved to a portacabin affair diagonally opposite Gates box. I last visited this area in 2018 during the 'Beast from the East' extreme weather event and found the box still standing but looking very sorry for itself, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23791609604/castleford-gates-signal-box-ne-1870
Keywords: Castleford Gates Signal Box NER North Eastern Railway

$Castleford Station Signal Box (NE, c.1882) With others looking on, we pass through Castleford station viewed in an almost due westerly direction. On the platform end is the compact Station signal box. It is an NER box dating from circa 1882. As well as controlling the semaphore, it also controlled the line to Ferrybridge via Pontefract that can be seen curving off to the left in this image behind the box. The box remained in use until 1987 when it was replaced by a portacabin box a short distance away at the town's busy level crossing. Today the box still stands but is boarded up and looks somewhat forlorn, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23791610604/castleford-station-signal-box-ne Keywords: Castleford Station Signal Box NER North Eastern Railway$

55008, 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth (1V93), York station
55008 'The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry' arrives at York station leading the 09.50 Edinburgh to Plymouth service. This was in the pre HST days when the NE to SW services were handled by lengthy sets of locomotive hauled stock with engine changes taking place at York. There was nothing quite like the sound of a pair of Napiers filling the giant train shed at York. As a spotter there was always a sense of excitement and anticipation when the approaching drone was heard way before the train appeared around the tight curve!
Keywords: 55008 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth 1V93 York station The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry

55008, 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth (1V93) & 47478, York Station
55008 'The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry' leading the 09.50 Edinburgh to Plymouth 1V93 has come to a halt at York station. Its relief locomotive is already on the centre road in the form of 47478 that would work the train through to its Devon destination once the Deltic has been hastily removed. Notice the well-loaded mail van behind the loco with sacks stacked high against the window. At this time 47478 was a West Country locomotive, as it was for most of its working life, being based at Laira.
Keywords: 55008 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth 1V93 47478 York Station The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry

55008, 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth (1V93), York station
Forgive me for the third picture of 55008 'The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry' at York but the sun came out! With the driver leaning out of the rear cab he is waiting for it to be detached from the stock. He will then ease it forward off the train and go to the shed. 47478 was waiting just out of shot to take over the train. It was complicated and labour intensive moves like this that have all but been abolished from today's far more efficient railway but ones that added so much interest to the enthusiast.
Keywords: 55008, 09.50 Edinburgh-Plymouth (1V93), York station The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry

40106 & other motive power, York MPD
In the days when the enthusiasts and spotters could access the motive power depot at York with absolute ease to collect the all-important numbers! With the railway museum to the right and York Minster in the background and a non-existent fence, it is a scene totally unrepeatable today! In amongst the lines of Class 47s and Peaks is 40106 in its famous green livery. It was the last of the class scheduled to be painted into BR blue but this never happened as it became a firm favourite with enthusiasts and railtour organisers alike. Later in the day, it is recorded to have run light engine from here at York to Doncaster. I wonder if the young spotter in the red tracksuit top still has his numbers book that is tightly clenched in his hand?
Keywords: 40106 York MPD

55022, 07.25 Plymouth-Edinburgh (1S25), Water End bridge, York
Taken against the sun but a fascinating picture nonetheless! 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' gets away from York picking up speed leading the 07.25 Plymouth to Edinburgh Waverley. Just look at the exhaust trail it is leaving hanging over the northern suburbs of York with the photograph taken from Water End bridge. The twin Napiers were always a little smokey but especially so until fully warmed up and this example would have been running still fairly cool having just taken over the train at York station about a mile away. It would also have been at full power getting the train up to line speed for the racetrack between York and Northallerton. Also of interest is the number of semaphore signals behind the train controlling the extensive sidings and York avoiding lines. Looking at Google Earth reveals that this scene is little changed today except for some tree growth to the left and the installation of the electrification equipment.

There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see.... https://youtu.be/ndJyHiTrEms
Keywords: 55022 07.25 Plymouth-Edinburgh 1S25 Water End bridge York Royal Scots Grey Deltic

55002, 12.20 London King's Cross-York (1L42) & Class 104 DMU, Holgate bridge
Almost completing its one hundred and eighty eight-mile journey 55002 'The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' approaches York leading the 12.20 1L42 from King's Cross. This broadside view taken at Holgate bridge really shows off the elegant shape and bulk of the Deltic. Just to the right of the photograph, a Class 104 DMU is also approaching the station with a service from the Leeds area. The land behind the tall poplar trees belongs to The Mount School, a Quaker independent day and boarding school for children of all ages. 55002 is preserved today and in working order again being part of the National collection. After languishing at The National Railway Museum for many years the Friends of 55002 KOYLI got it operational and haulage behind this fine locomotive can be enjoyed today on various preserved lines.
Keywords: 55002 12.20 London King's Cross-York 1L42 Class 104 DMU Holgate bridge The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

40078, unidentified Newcastle-London King's Cross relief, Holgate Bridge
Taken from under Holgate bridge York's fine station and Minster can be seen in the background. 40078 leads a rake of eight Mk.I coaches away south with a Newcastle to King's Cross relief. However, there appears to be some debate over this working as the 40 Motherlist site has this down as the 1E70 10.06 Dundee to King's Cross (relief as far as Edinburgh Waverley). Either way, this was in the days when BR had the flexibility to put a relief service together at short notice to alleviate a problem and to support the travelling public - unlike today's totally inflexible railway. It was also a time when enthusiasts could get close to the tracks at Holgate bridge to undertake some serious spotting and, in my case, take some interesting photographs. The tracks curving away to the left are the York avoiding lines.

There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see.... https://youtu.be/__libtJvkW4
Keywords: 40078 Newcastle-London King's Cross relief Holgate Bridge

55002, 15.50 York-London King's Cross (1A26) & HST, Holgate Bridge
Having seen 55002 'The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' enter York a little earlier it is now heading off south again leading the 1A26 15.50 York to King's Cross. It is passing under York's famous Holgate bridge that carries the one hundred and nine miles long A59 road into the city. The King's Cross train has just passed an HST that can be seen entering the station. Another photograph taken in a spot that is totally inaccessible today that if access was gained now would probably lead to an arrest! However, we never ventured onto the lines, we did not interfere with the running of the railway and did not put ourselves in any danger. Perhaps we had common sense then, something that people today do not have judging by the miles of pointless and obtrusive palisade fencing that lines our railways.

There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see.... https://youtu.be/UqCqHD4nUps
Keywords: 55002 15.50 York-London King's Cross 1A26 HST Holgate Bridge The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

55002, 15.50 York-London King's Cross (1A26), Holgate Bridge
With two enthusiasts enjoying the Napier soundtrack 55002 'The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry' makes a sedate departure from York station leading the 1A26 15.50 York to King's Cross semi-fast service. Looking at the exhaust pattern it would appear that the Deltic is only running on one engine, something that they spent a lot of their time doing in their final years of operation. The photograph is taken under York's Holgate bridge where access so close to the line was tolerated back in a world when common sense prevailed.

There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see.... https://youtu.be/UqCqHD4nUps
Keywords: 55002 15.50 York-London King's Cross 1A26 Holgate Bridge The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

40073, down freight, Holgate Bridge
Just as we were about to head back to the station from Holgate bridge the distinctive sound of a Class 40 was heard and 40073 appeared looking in a very presentable condition despite it only having less than three years left in service. It is leading a rake of ICI wagons complete with a brake van at either end along with some barrier wagons. I do not know what the working was but I am sure that somebody local to York at this time will know. If that's you please get in contact with me. Notice the huge York running in concrete sign to the left of the cab that can still be seen today. However, what cannot be seen today, and should never be seen again, is the large white swastika daubed on the fence of the Mount School with the words Nazi British Movement - a far-right organisation that existed at this time and one that thankfully splintered itself to death in the mid-1980s. If this sort of foul and offensive graffiti appeared today it would be removed immediately; some things are better dealt with today than in past times.
Keywords: 40073 Holgate Bridge

55016, 14.05 London King's Cross-York (1L43), York station
Whilst waiting at York station for our return charter to arrive 55016 'Gordon Highlander' arrived with the terminating 1L43 14.05 from King's Cross. In their latter years of operation, the Deltics handled most of these semi-fast services, something they did with relative ease due to their immense power. The Class 47s could not always maintain the timings of these fast stopping express services that were required to get away from a station and up to line speed very rapidly. A Class 47 can be seen making its way light engine into the station to the right.
Keywords: 55016 14.05 London King's Cross-York 1L43 York station Gordon Highlander Deltic

55016, 14.05 London King's Cross-York (1L43), York station
I would not normally publish a repeat image of a train simply arriving at a station but this particular one is a study of a time that many of us enthusiasts grew up with but one that is not seen today. 55016 'Gordon Highlander' arrives at York leading the 14.05 from King's Cross observed by a raft of enthusiasts many of whom have a note pad and pen in hand eagerly noting the Deltic's arrival. A close study of the photograph also reveals some period attire such as the flares and a superb example of the very popular (at the time) lumberjack jacket! In addition, there is also the accoutrements required for a day's spotting, for example, binoculars, sports bags and a rucksack!
Keywords: 55016 14.05 London King's Cross-York 1L43 York station Gordon Highlander Deltic

45035 & 46028 (DIT), West Wilts District Scouts Special, York-Westbury (1Z40), Bradford-on-Avon station
The secondman and the driver peer through the blackness at Bradford-on-Avon station looking for the guard's signal to get away. Peak 45035 is leading the returning West Wiltshire Scouts train cruise back from York that will soon reach its destination at Westbury with one more stop at Trowbridge. Out of sight behind the Class 45 is 46028 that disgraced itself at Bordesley Junction earlier in the journey. Against the present-day rules for railway enthusiasts, see.... https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/railway-enthusiasts/guidelines-for-taking-photos-at-stations/ I have used a flash to illuminate the dark scene as there appears to be no lighting on the station whatsoever.
Keywords: 45035 46028 West Wilts District Scouts Special, York-Westbury 1Z40 Bradford-on-Avon station Peak

Ticket, Bradford-on-Avon-York-Bradford-on-Avon
The special ticket issued for our day trip to York. Unfortunately, I do not have a record of the price. There is something about these card tickets that modern day electronic tickets simply do not have!
Keywords: Ticket Bradford-on-Avon-York-Bradford-on-Avon

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