NER central div, early research stages..... can anyone help?

[twa_dogs]

I'm in the early stages of planning a model railway based loosely upon the area and facilities that my grandad worked with. Without getting too involved with records offices and the NRM etc at this early stage, I'm looking for photographs and track/signalling diagrams for a number of north Eastern Railway locations between 1920-1986. Ideally I'm looking to blend elements from the old NER central division and the northern part of the NER southern division. I'm trying to locate information for quite a wide timescale to gain an idea of the amount of expansion and contraction.

I've identified a number of locations that offer elements that interest me including:

Whitby West Cliff, (Whitby) Bog Hall Crossing, (Whitby) Prospect Hill
Battersby Jct (inc sidings and MPD)
Barnard Castle
Tees Valley Jct
Merrybent jct
Bishop Auckland, West Auckland (inc MPD)
Eryholme Jct
Croft Goods
Redmire (inc blue Circle loading facilities)

thanks in advance for any info you guys can offer.

Steve

[twa_dogs]

Well thought I'd give this a bump with the latest bit of pleading/cajoling.

Would anyone out there have the groundplans/trackplans or signalling diagram for Merrygill (Hartley Quarry) on the Stainmore line. I'm thinking of an interchange system allowing a range of passing stuff as well some slow speed forergound interest.

[Bryan]

Contact the NERA and they will sell you a copy of the Stainmoor line diagram.
Its on the Darlington and Tebay section p15.
It appears to consist of a crossover at the end of a viaduct, with a left hand turnout to a siding and possible connection back to a private siding.
Signal box mileage of 36m 1673yd
I have a copy of the diagram but only at a small scale, unlike the larger scale plans I have for elsewhere. It is not really suitable for scanning and mailing.

[RSderek]

Hi, I have bits and bobs from West Auckland and Bishop Auckland, images mainly but a few interesting books too.
Let me know what you are after and I'll do some digging.

(I am recreating the line from Bishop Auckland through to West Auckland as part of my Wear Valley Railway, with Bishop Auckland being the hub)

regards

Derek

http://dereksiddle.blogspot.com/

[twa_dogs]

Bryan, my apologies for being so forgetfull, yup I'd forgotten the sectional appendix and indeed a trailing crossover with a facing set into a head shunt and thence back into private sidings (guessing from pictures - 2 sidings and a short line into the quarry). Cheers for joggging my memory. That has resolved one end of the current plan.

Derek, blimey that is impressive. As a bit of a luddite even i can see the advantages to be scored in scale and room in the virtual world, but that is quite impressive. At this stage i'm just trying to get an overview of a few places with a view to cherry picking some features and arranging them for a representative "feel" of the area so any track or signalling diagrams for B'p Auckland, West Auckland, West Auckland Shed (there is an online auction archive site that last year had the original linen drawings for the depot buildings and seeing as they were there a year before i can only guess whether they are still available, but worth a hunt) and possibly Wear Valley Junction, that I can view would be very welcome. Of course you may regret this when i then find something of interest and start loads of questions. I'm guessing that you have the area pretty much researched whereas I am approaching it from complete ground zero other than what i know on the ground but if i find anything that i feel to be of possible interest ot your project I shall of course pass it on.

Cheers and thanks all

Steve