Views From The Cab

[Hermit 109]

Hi Everyone, I have a few pictures of the G.N main line taken from the cab in the late 60's & early 70's, some of which have already been posted. I have been asked to post them by a few viewers, so in an effort to keep them all on one site I will add them to this new thread bit by bit. I apologise in advance if some appear a bit blurry, but they were all taken whilst in motion.

[attachment=0]Arlesy-from-the-North.jpg[/attachment

[Hermit 109]

Whoops, technical error on my part meant 2 blurred pictures of Belle Isle instead of one, Here (hopefully) are some more

[Hermit 109]

Some more typical cab views, by way of explanation the picture taken at Maxey Crossing, I believe was the first time an official 100mph permanent speed restriction board was erected on B.R and it heralded the arrival of the new Deltic hauled 8 coach business expresses to Leeds and Newcastle.

K.X driver J. Allen, unknown location C1968

[Hermit 109]

Arriving at Hitchin with the 08.20 Leeds ex K.X

Bit further north, approaching Three Counties

Same Location, but in the up direction

[Hermit 109]

A few more, apologies for the quality of some

D9009 1N10 (Sun) put into down loop at Newark to allow another train through. Signalmen, who can understand them? (Only joking)

Approaching Leeds over the viaduct

Drivers eye view of York, about to pass through on the middle road with 1E05, up Flying Scotsman

[Hermit 109]

That's all for now folks some views of the changing scene at Offord

Offord as it used to be (minus the station of course)

Leaning into the curve at Offord on the up

River being diverted ready to ease the curve

Offord Today

[mr B]

nice to see it all not polluted with nasty dangly bits of wire ! (woops) great stuff keep em comming.

mr B

[StevieG]

Thanks v.m. Hermit. Very interesting photos, and quite a variety!

That crossing north of Holme was (& is!) called Holme Lode.
One signalman who retired from the present KX PSB a while ago, used to be 'on the Relief' round that way.
He recalled occasionally being rostered to Holme Lode when the keeper, who I think he said was called Queenie, had a day off, and referred to the way the keeper looked after her cottage as being such that he felt obliged to wipe his feet every time he crossed the threshold, - on the way out!

That second photo in your fourth group (showing as posted at 19:43) ; - 'Hitchin Down', 'Bit further north, approaching Three Counties'. May I suggest you might re-consider its caption; Those distant signals belonged to Cadwell box not too far out of sight round the curve, while 'Counties' was around two miles further north (though you'd hardly know it nowadays), on the long-ish straight to Arlesey.

[Mickey]

Some nice pictures Hermit 109, nice to see two of Arlesey s/box quite possibly the 'most attractive looking' s/box on the G.N.R. main line bar none. I think the signalman at Offord could do with giving his 'up main starter' a few turns on the wire cos it looks like it's hanging wrong to me?.

[Hermit 109]

Hi StevieG, thanks for the info regarding crossing north of Holme, memory after 37 years failed me. Same with the Three Counties caption, completely forgot about Cadwell but caption will have to stay because I can't find how to edit it.
I was watching "The Night Mail" documentary the other evening on one of the Sky channels, and seem to recollect when working (I think) the 20.20 ex K.X dropping and picking up mail on the move. I can't remember whether it was just north of Huntingdon or maybe Werrington where the post was deposited, perhaps one of you knowledgeable chaps can enlighten me and tell me when the practice was discontinued.
Although we used to work the 1st & 2nd mail in the up direction, I can't remember any mail apparatus, only on the down, or is my memory failing me again.

[Bryan]

The curves at Offord remind me of a couple of very long shifts rerailing and stressing during the panic rerails post Hatfield crash. 2002 - 3

[Mickey]

I once thought that the small picturesque church and grave yard situated on the up side of the main line just to the south of the level crossing at Offord beside the up slow line would be a good place to be buried after death.

[R. pike]

The picture marked as Fletton i'm pretty sure features Yaxley 49 signal, the Up Goods distant.

[Hermit 109]

Hi R Pike & Micky, the photo marked Fletton was actually taken just after passing Yaxley, so you are correct in identifying Yaxley up distant.
Micky and anyone who is interested, since I moved into the this area, I have discovered that the reason there are two churches by the lineside at Offord is because there are two Offords. The first as you approach from the south (as shown in the accompanying photo) is Offord D'Arcy and the church is St.Peters, the second Is called Offord Cluny and the little church you have morbid thoughts about is called All Saints. The graveyard seems pretty full Micky, but I can enquire about future bookings if you like.

[Mickey]

Thanks kindly Hermit 109 but theres no hurry.