GN Cattle docks

[Woodcock29]

I'm involved in a joint project to build an exhibition layout based on the Spilsby branch in Lincolnshire.

I'm struggling to find any decent photos of the Spilsby cattle dock facilities. From the ordinance survey I can see it comprised two pens. But I'm wondering if the two pens are normal rectangular style or what appear to be a classic GN design with 5 sides and a gate at the the apex of the pentagonal shape? The ordinance survey appears to indicate they are but I can't find a photo either of Spilsby or anywhere else for that matter, although I'm sure I've seen photos of this type somewhere.

Andrew

[Hatfield Shed]

They are not only elusive, but even when you a have picture it doesn't help with the ground plan, as it is a side on view! I have seen one 'somewhere' of Hitchin's taken from the west face of the down platform. (I have always assumed that the pentagonal form was to aid in singling the beasts so that they then moved in line from pen exit to cattle wagon door, probably with temporary hurdles to prevent escape either side. They wouldn't have had outward opening pairs of gates on the pen exit to define the route, surely?)

[Woodcock29]

Thanks for those comments Hatfield.

[JASd17]

I believe some members of the Sleaford & District MRC have a model of Spilsby, it might be worth seeing what information they have?

Some photos of the layout are posted on flick under Cupar MRC.

John

[Woodcock29]

Thanks John.
I've seen photos of fheir layout and see they have built rectangular pens.
However, I remain to be convinced they should be rectangular.
What I really need to find is a good aerial photo.
Andrew

[manna]

G'day Gents

'Britain from above', may be an option. I looked at a aerial view of Edgware, after reading these posts, and Edgware has the Pentagon cattle dock.

manna

[Woodcock29]

I have found that Paul Bason has modelled a pentagonal cattle pen on his layout, Paston Ridings. I was wondering if anyone has better photos of this model than the distant one in the Railway Modeller article in Nov 2017?

Andrew

[Hatfield Shed]

...What I really need to find is a good aerial photo.

How about a halfway decent oblique view from a 1928 photo by Aerofilms of Hatfield station? (London's Railways From the Air pub Ian Allan, p128.)

Have to be honest, I wouldn't have recognised it were it not for the ground plan of the station in 'Great Nothern Railway Engine Sheds, Southern Area', pub Irwell Press; which shows the pentagonal pen positioned where it appears in the photo. Further examples in the same title include Hitchin's battery of seven pentagonal pens, and various - mostly single - pentagonal examples on branches. (Alternatives appear possible, Peterborough's two pens are shown as square.)

[Woodcock29]

I'll send you a pm Hatfield Shed.

Andrew