G N line

[daveinstoke]

As most people are aware the G N had a branch intoo Stafford. Even though it closed to passenger use in the early 50's ,it remaind in use for freight. So will anyone have the information to what loco's used the line in its heyday. Plus why they built a line so far away from their own metals , in North Stafford , Midland & LNWR territory.
Dave.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

The main thrust into that area was to acsess Derby, which is what they did, then I think they managed to get running powers over the Stafford & Uttoxeter Rly, which also gave acsess to some more coal mines etc.

I know from pictures etc that some of the class'es that worked over these lines were J3, J4, J5, the D's 4-4-0's, may well have been some of the older 2-4-0's, hope this helps.
manna

[AndyRush]

Wrottesley, Vol II, pp103-6 gives the story of the GN acquisition of the line and I expect aspects of its working are covered in Mark Higginson's 'The Friargate Line'. However, looking at the silly prices being asked for the latter on evilbay and abebooks, you might have to try ordering it through your local library....

HTH

Andy

[PGBerrie]

Branch Line Memories No 4 (Wright, Atlantic) has a picture of J6 No. 3623 leaving Stafford Station with a Grantham train in 1933.
D2 4329 is seen leaving Stafford here http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/87 ... 0af0JzAEbg.
There's a picture of the last journey in 1957 here http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rF ... Z40G_LWE3g.
And here's another D2 at Stafford Common Station http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DK ... 9W7lNfsvGg.

The GNR got to Stafford via their own Stafford & Uttoxeter line, so maybe there are more possibilities of finding information

Peter

[third-rail]

here is a short film clip if no one has seen it
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/films/ ... hern1.html

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Not seen that one, glad I watched, make sure that you watch both films, there are shots of Thompson rebuilt 04's and B1 61210 passing on freights
manna

[strang steel]

G'Day Gents

Not seen that one, glad I watched, make sure that you watch both films, there are shots of Thompson rebuilt 04's and B1 61210 passing on freights
manna

Yes, and a there are couple of fish vans at the head of a coal train - which may help to answer a question posed on the "Grimsby fish" thread about how fish vans worked back empty to the docks.

John

[rob237]

Perhaps the best known freight working through Derby Friargate was the thrice-weekly Burton - York Dringhouses beer train. Invariably B16 hauled, this heavy load of vans joined the GC at Bulwell Common - in a memorable display of exhaust and noise - via the steep curve up from Basford North.
Cheers
Robt P.

[strang steel]

here is a short film clip if no one has seen it
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/films/ ... hern1.html

That video seems to be the same one that is included on a dvd titled "Farewell to the GNR lines in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire" although on the dvd it is reproduced in somewhat better quality.

The clip was filmed from an SLS special in May 1968 from Eggington Junction to Friargate.

The rest of the dvd is b/w still photos from the tour as it proceeded up the remains of the ex-GNR lines north of Nottingham.

John

[R. pike]

I've spent a few days working in Staffordshire so decided to walk a bit of the GN around Stafford Common. There seems to be a few oddments left to see ranging from platforms to signals etc.