The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi,

I recently obtained some maps and books of the Kings Cross area containing pre-electrification Photos etc but i have a few questions regarding the large number of separate groups of sidings for carriage stabling,

When did Holloway Carriage sidings close and considering their position on the Downside of the mainline, how did trains of ECS get access to the Upside for the run to Kings Cross?

When did Western Sidings DMU shed at Finsbury Park close?

I have an OS Railway map from the 1920s that shows a large group of sidings on the Upside of the Mainline directly south of Finsbury Park Station. The sidings were located roughly where the Moorgate and Dalston lines diverge from the ECML nowadays. Were these sidings used for freight or carriage stabling?

When did Ferme Park Down Yard cease its freight marshalling function and become a carriage serving facillity?

When did Wood Green carriage sidings close and later re-open as Bounds Green TMD on the same site?

When did Hornsey UP carriage sidings close or are the still in use, I think they were electrified in the Mid eighties?

Finally with this large array of carriage servicing and stabling facilities serving Kings Cross prior to electrification, what was the role of each location?, I.E. did each location look after a particular type of stock MK1, Mk2, DMUs etc.

Regards

Dave

Hello Dave

It all seems such a long time ago now, but let's try and remember some details from the 60s. In the pecking order of things, there was a distinct hierarchy with carriage sidings in the KX area. Top was Hornsey, where most of the Anglo Scottish sets were stabled, examined and cleaned, including sleeping car services. Then came Holloway, slightly less classy stuff but some long distance services plus some outer suburban stock. Then Bounds Green sidings, again with suburban and odds and sods such as the 1610 KX - Newcastle (FO) and spares. Bounds Green depot was next door and did intermediate types of repairs but nothing as sophisticated as today. Then there was Waterworks, on the downside opp. Hornsey, typically C maintenance vehicles and those awaiting works, no decent stock generally. DMUs were maintained in Western Sidngs, a primitive sort of place and a sub depot of Cambridge, which did the heavier maintenance. Non corridor stock at Finsbury Park (north of the station) with some stabled in the daytime at Ferme Park upside.

Trains ex Holloway for KX would run round at Finsbury Pk No 2 and use the 'creep up' to get under the main line onto the upside.
The sidings you refer to south of Finsbury Pk were East Goods Yard and not normally used for coaching stock.
Overnight of course, suburban stock was stabled at all sorts of places such as WGC, New Barnet, Hertford Nth - even Baldock!

Hope this helps - happy days!

Seems quite interesting, any chance of some scans of the maps of the Kings Cross area then please including these locations?

sqdavid wrote..

When did Holloway Carriage sidings close and considering their position on the Downside of the mainline, how did trains of ECS get access to the Upside for the run to Kings Cross?

Here is one way across..

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237194.html

Further south at Holloway it was a little more complicated..

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237195.html
http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237196.html

When I visited (as Work experience!) Bounds Green in 1980, I was given a leaflet describing Bounds Green ECML Depot printed 1978. It described the works as a "new 30-acre complex". So I guess that it was modernised 1977-78...

I can scan the leaflet if you would like...

regards
Andy

There are two photos of Holloway Carriage Sidings in the Science and Society collection. I can't seem to link directly to them but go to:

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk

Search by reference number for 10443324 and 10443331.