Hertford Loop/Hertford North

[ajax103]

I currently work on the station and have been there for about a year now, I'm interested in the history of both the station and the line.

I'm particularly interested in photos and plans of the station itself, not to mention the line in general.

If anyone has any photos, plans of the station, the line from Alexandra Palace (Wood Green) to Stevenage via Hertford North then I would be very interested in viewing them, not to mention I'm also curious to know if there were any railway poems done about the line?

I've found some old photos of the station and also of the signal boxes which used to control parts of the line but seeing as the original line got refurbished back in the 70s, it's hard trying to find plans, photos etc... showing exactly how the line used to be.

If anyone is able to help, it would be very appreciated , thank you.

[hq1hitchin]

I assume you mean Hertford North? Sorry but have no pics myself but a good start for you to view your heritage would be to watch the opening sequences in the classic film 'Oh Mr Porter' with the 'naming ceremony' of Silver Link, which was filmed there. No poems either, I'm afraid - the closest thing to an artistic note I can bring is to say that Jack Hawkins, the well known 50s actor, lived near Cuffley Station and the long gone KX driver I knew who lived near him said he was a lovely man. Don't know if there are still a multitude of glowworms between Bayford and Hertford? We used to see plenty of them when clipping up catch points (shows my age ha ha) preparatory for a night's single line working (another vanished art - now much simpler to tip passengers out onto buses) Send me a PM and I will let you have a pic of Hertford Nth box plus a few more details

[R. pike]

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237058.html
http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237059.html

I'll add more 'New Line' diagrams in due course..

[ajax103]

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237058.html
http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237059.html

I'll add more 'New Line' diagrams in due course..

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237058.html

This one is interesting as it shows the branches as well as the layout, by the looks of it - 1960s?

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237059.html

Now this is even more interesting, it looks like the line to Hertford East has gone and there's no yard there but what looks like sidings accessed from both ends?

Many thanks for these.

The one 'New Line' that I'm also looking forward to seeing is Gordon Hill,

I assume you mean Hertford North? Sorry but have no pics myself but a good start for you to view your heritage would be to watch the opening sequences in the classic film 'Oh Mr Porter' with the 'naming ceremony' of Silver Link, which was filmed there. No poems either, I'm afraid - the closest thing to an artistic note I can bring is to say that Jack Hawkins, the well known 50s actor, lived near Cuffley Station and the long gone KX driver I knew who lived near him said he was a lovely man. Don't know if there are still a multitude of glowworms between Bayford and Hertford? We used to see plenty of them when clipping up catch points (shows my age ha ha) preparatory for a night's single line working (another vanished art - now much simpler to tip passengers out onto buses) Send me a PM and I will let you have a pic of Hertford Nth box plus a few more details

I do indeed mean Hertford North, PM on way to both you guys.

[jwealleans]

There's quite a good article giving an overview of the Hertfod Loop in the new (Jan 09) edition of the Railway Magazine

[ajax103]

There's quite a good article giving an overview of the Hertfod Loop in the new (Jan 09) edition of the Railway Magazine

I have to look out for it then, cheers,

[ajax103]

Pardon for asking this but did anyone get a copy of this issue - I didn't managed to, just wondering if anyone could be kind enough to scan the Hertford article for me please.

[simonh]

Hello Ajax,

Do you have a copy of "The Hertford Loop Line", C.T. Goode, Oakwood Press, 1984? It is a nice little 48 page booklet on the history of the line, with some interesting pictures (a nice panorama of Hertford North in 1955 and a similar shot from 1975, amongst others). The ISBN is 0 85361 304 4. Out of print but a quick google found a few copies.

Cheers
Simon

[ajax103]

Yes I have that booklet, rather interesting but my desire for knowledge is stronger which is why I'm interested in any thing concerning the loop.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Just found this thread again? I have a set of plans for a halt (London end of Ponsbourne Tunnel) quarter mile from tunnel, to be called 'Tolmer Park', a new housing estate was to be built next to it. The plans are dated 16-8-35.
manna

[StevieG]

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237058.html
http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237059.html

I'll add more 'New Line' diagrams in due course..

Re the older Hert.N. diagram photo; ( http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55237058.html ), this is a good one, RP. Looks definitely like a modified print off the original version, with perhaps all that's missing being the facing point lead in the Down Main (29s?) turning right to make a single slip with 28 in the Up Main, with the associated FPLs and the right-hand bracket doll signal beside 17 & 22 for going from the DM past the 'box front, to head for Hert. East.
I have some inkling (from who knows where, now) that these bits were abolished quite early on. Of course if you've a diagram date for your photo, that might narrow it down a bit.

Also note that the 47 Up Main starter still shows as having its lower distant for, & worked by, Hert. Sand sdgs.GF.

[Flamingo]

Any chance of pictures or diagrams for Palmers Green? That was my local station. I remember watching J6s shunting in PG goods yard. early 1950s it would have been, there was a supermarket on the site last time I went. When the main line was closed the ECML expresses were diverted via the Hertford line and we used to spend all afternoon on PG watchine Pacics and V2s.

[StevieG]

I can't forget the Up Second Home signal at Palmers : mounted with little ironwork of its own, almost directly onto the brickwork of the enclosed footbridge/T.O./booking hall building, up above the line, and level with the south (London) end of the up platform. (I presume maintenance access was by a panel in the building wall(?)).
This signal also had a standard LNE/BR(E) ground disc signal, on the ground, at the far edge of the bridge, facing normal traffic, and co-acting with this main signal arm, so that drivers who had to stop their locos under or past the bridge (and so, beyond the main arm) could still see it was okay to depart when they got the 'right away'.

[R. pike]

http://richard2890.fotopic.net/p55247135.html

Palmers Green, 15 signal..

[StevieG]

Well done, RP. Came up trumps again.

15 it was. The only features I can think of that had gone by the time of this diagram are the north trailing crossover (between the platforms and signal 16), and its Down line disc; probably No.'d 11 & 12, as those look like later additions to the list of Spares.