G.E.R. section Route Availability

[Belvoir]

Does anyone know where I might find R.A. numbers for permanent way in the G.E.R. section south of Ipswich - including branch lines ?? I presume the timescale matters, so 1955-60. I think most of the main line had been relaid with flat-bottomed rail on wooden sleepers by then.

[52D]

There is a website that may be able to help you called the sectional appendix i dont have an address just try and google it.

[Belvoir]

Hi 52D -

Thank you for your prompt response, I know of the Sectional Index site, and have tried it - to no avail. Lots of useful information, but I cannot find anything re. R.A.

[hq1hitchin]

Think you will need to find a Route Availability booklet, somewhat rare now, I suspect

[Belvoir]

hq1hitchin -

Many thanks, it looks as though I must trawl the second-hand book outlets.

Regards

B

[PaulG]

Belvoir

The Route Availablity information is contained in the Working Time Tables. Sections J, K, L and M covered East Anglia in 1952.

I've a copy of Section M Colchester Line Branches 30th June to 14th September 1952 and hopefully the following is of interest:

M.10Colchester-Clacton RA6, but Class O-2, O-3, O-4 and ex LMS 8F prohibited.
M.11Thorpe-le-Soken- Walton RA5, but Group 5 engines not to exceed 40mph
M.12Wivenhoe - Brightlingsea RA2 with addition of F-3, F-4, F-5, J-66, J-68 and J-69 classes. Double heading prohibited.
M.13Manningtree - Harwich RA7 with addition of K-3 class. O-2, O-3 and O-4 prohibited. BR standard Class 7 4-6-2 prohibited on incline road at Mistley and not to exceed 15mph when working to Parkeston Quay West and to Parkeston Station via goods yard.
M.14 Westerfield - Felixstowe RA7 with addition of K-3 class. O-4 and ex LMS 8F prohibited. J-39 not to exceed 30mph.

M.18 Wickham Market - Framlingham RA4 with addition of Classes C-12, C-13, D-15, D-16, J-19, J-27, N-7 and N-7/3.

etc etc.

If there is a particular branch for which you require details please let me know.

London-Colchester-Ipswich-Norwich/Lowestoft/Yarmouth came under Section L and I do not have a copy of an appropriate Working Time Table.

Regards
Paul

[52D]

Just noted on Framlingham branch J27 is that a typo should it be J17 or did a few escape to East Anglia?

[PaulG]

Just noted on Framlingham branch J27 is that a typo should it be J17 or did a few escape to East Anglia?

J-27 class no. 300, 432, 806, 1569 and 1806 were allocated to Norwich between October 1935 and December 1936 and presumably inclusion in the 1952 table was a relec from then.

Perhaps another reason why the North Norfolk Railway were keen to have the preserved example 65033 at Sheringham!

Regards
Paul

[52A]

65033 is a J21.

[52D]

Just in front of me 52A

[Belvoir]

PaulG -

Many thanks for your response.

The information regarding M10,11,12 and 13 is most interesting. I am surprised that M11 had such a high RA, I presume it must have been relaid at some time although the speed limits are noted !

My main interest is the Shenfield to Colchester stretch including Mark Tey - Cambridge and the Maldon and Braintree branches - not, of course, fogetting delightful Tollesbury.......

Looks like a copy of Section L is required.

Thanks again

B

[PaulG]

Just to confirm the 1952 Working Time Table entry for Framlingham does say J-27.(RA5).

My earlier reply was from the office without the WTT to hand and thought I'd miss typed J-21, a class of loco I know worked from Norwich. I cannot explain why J-27 is shown and don't think any members of the class ever operated in East Anglia.

Class J-17 was RA4 and Class J-21 was RA3.

M.5 Mark's Tey to Shelford via Long Melford RA5 additional classes permitted N-2 (RA6) and O-7 (RA6) neither to exceed 30mph.
M.6 Shelford to Cambridge RA7 additional class permitted K-3 (RA8), but Class O-3 (RA6) prohibited.

(why would you need a K-3 and RA7 locos to run between Cambridge and Shelford only - war time air bases?)

M.3 Witham to Maldon East RA3
M.4 Witham to Braintree RA6 additional clases permitted L-1 and V-3. O-2, O-3, O-4 and ex LMS 8F prohibited. Group 6 engines and V-3 not to exceed 30mph. L-1 permitted in emergency only and not to exceed 30mph.
M.2 Kelvedon to Tiptree. Only classes permitted were J-65, J-67/1 and J-70, together with J-15 for ballast and breakdown trains only at reduced speed. Double-heading prohibited. By this time the line beyond Tiptree was closed.

As for Shenfield to Colchester, I would suggest RA7, which would allow all class of locos normally assosiated with the line, except K-3 and K-5 classes which were RA8, but photo records confirm their use on the line, so they were also permitted.

RA8 locos included B-16, D-49, J-37, Q-1 and S-1 and RA9 locos included A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, V-2 and W-1, none of which ran on the Colchester main line.

The RA of all locos are also shown in the various Ian Allen "abc"s.

Regards
Paul

[PaulG]

Class J-27 on the Framlingham branch.
Further to my note above I have checked Peter Paye book "The Framlingham Branch" (publisher The Oakwood Press Locomotive Papers 233 ISBN 978 0 85361 678 8 ) and he also states Class J-27 were permitted. However, in the detailed section on locos seen working the line there is no mention of the Class J-27.

I've checked a couple of other sources and I can find no record of a Class J-27 working in East Anglia, but I would welcome comments.

Regards
Paul

[52D]

Paul my mate is returning my copy of Locomotives Illustrated NER 0-6-0 tender locos tomorrow i will check and report back.

[Belvoir]

PaulG -

Again, grateful thanks....

Re. M3 - could this low figure reflect the parlous state of Wickham Bishops trestle bridge ? The line was built at the same time as M4 and presumably to the same standard. IIRC there was a blanket 40mph restriction as well.

Re. M4 - RA6 confirms my memories of B1 used on Sunday excursion duties.

Re. M5 - RA5 confirms remembered use of B17 on this line.

IIRC class K3 was cleared for main-line use in 1938 - presumably some civils were expedited to permit.

I have a vague memory hearing that one or more V2 were trial run on this section, but no date.

Kind Regards

B