Railways around Thirsk Prewar (1933-1939)

[jwealleans]

It's listed on the SRS signalling diagrams, Tom, so they should be able to help you locate it.

[Tom F]

It's listed on the SRS signalling diagrams, Tom, so they should be able to help you locate it.

Yes I noticed that on the google search, I contacted them this evening regarding a signalling diagram. If they reply, I will mention it.

It shows it as DD at Thirsk station on the WTT which I believe means 'stops only to set down and detatch'.

[PinzaC55]

There are a couple of Thirsk photo's here if you scroll about 3/4 down the page
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page4.htm
The one showing the electro-gas signal is superb.

[Tom F]

There are a couple of Thirsk photo's here if you scroll about 3/4 down the page
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page4.htm
The one showing the electro-gas signal is superb.

Thanks Pinza, would that be this photo.
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/user ... thirsk.jpg

It's interesting it's dated as 1933 and Thirsk. After reading the description, I can only think this was just before the Quadrupling took place.

[JASd17]

I think the Hall's 'Gas' signalling was decommissioned around this time. There is an article on the signalling in the BRJ NER Special edition.

The same location appears in Banks and Carter, wrongly described. It is the Down Main Line signal 21A of Green Lane Box, 1382 Yards south of the box and the four track section through the station.

The article states:
'Third and Fourth tracks were introduced between Alne and Pilmoor in 1933, and a new down line from Pilmoor to Thirsk in 1942. It was not until 1960 that a new up line from Thirsk to Pilmoor was installed and there were four tracks throughout the 25 3/4 miles from Skelton Bridge to Northallerton.'

Hope this helps,

John

[JASd17]

Do you have to refine your dates even further? There were major changes in stock and motive power over the 7 years you are interested in. Especially in the top express services. But also in the NE Area A-link sets.

John

Hi John
Do you mean cover a larger period, say 1935-1939. It could be done, but would grate with me having say Silver Link in silver, running with Seagull, which wasn't built until 1938.

I know one chap who is modelling a week....makes my 3 months look epic!

No Tom I meant narrowing the time-frame to the later 1930s. Apologies if that was not clear. But it is your project!

John

[Tom F]

I think the Hall's 'Gas' signalling was decommissioned around this time. There is an article on the signalling in the BRJ NER Special edition.

The same location appears in Banks and Carter, wrongly described. It is the Down Main Line signal 21A of Green Lane Box, 1382 Yards south of the box and the four track section through the station.

The article states:
'Third and Fourth tracks were introduced between Alne and Pilmoor in 1933, and a new down line from Pilmoor to Thirsk in 1942. It was not until 1960 that a new up line from Thirsk to Pilmoor was installed and there were four tracks throughout the 25 3/4 miles from Skelton Bridge to Northallerton.'

Hope this helps,

John

Thank John, what page is that in Banks and Carter?

[JASd17]

Haven't got the book to hand.

Page 108 upper?

John

[Tom F]

Yep, that's right, looking at my book now.

The box you refer to, would that be the Power Box?
I'm looking at the bridge in he background, would that be A61 road bridge...or is it the Thirsk Town line? Or am I completely wrong all together!

[JASd17]

Yep, that's right, looking at my book now.

The box you refer to, would that be the Power Box?
I'm looking at the bridge in he background, would that be A61 road bridge...or is it the Thirsk Town line? Or am I completely wrong all together!

I we are looking about 3/4 of a mile south of where you think we are. Or 1382 yards as I said. The power boxes came later.
The Hall's system lasted from 1905 to 1933.

John

[Tom F]

I we are looking about 3/4 of a mile south of where you think we are. Or 1382 yards as I said. The power boxes came later.
The Hall's system lasted from 1905 to 1933.

John

Thank you John.
The only thing I'm struggling to understand is, the plans I'm waiting for from the NRM, showed the ECML going from two to four lines directly south of the A61 Bridge, and I thought it then went back to three lines through to Alne after that.

So the A3 photo from Banks/Carter is confusing me in that it appears 2 track mainline.

[PinzaC55]

I think the Hall's 'Gas' signalling was decommissioned around this time. There is an article on the signalling in the BRJ NER Special edition.

The same location appears in Banks and Carter, wrongly described. It is the Down Main Line signal 21A of Green Lane Box, 1382 Yards south of the box and the four track section through the station.

The article states:
'Third and Fourth tracks were introduced between Alne and Pilmoor in 1933, and a new down line from Pilmoor to Thirsk in 1942. It was not until 1960 that a new up line from Thirsk to Pilmoor was installed and there were four tracks throughout the 25 3/4 miles from Skelton Bridge to Northallerton.'

Hope this helps,

John

So what line did the disused doll on the signal apply to? I used to have "York Rail Supercentres" (by Ken Hoole?) and I think it had a diagram in there but I no longer have it.
PS. You can see further down the line a white post with what looks like the head of a colour light signal above - maybe the one which was going to replace the Hall signal that year?

[JASd17]

Just to clarify a few points on this.

The widening in the 1930s was to the north of Thirsk station, the new power box opened in 1933 and was associated with this. South of the station the main line was still two tracks only to Pilmoor until 1942-3.

There are some photos in Ben Brooksbank's books on the ECML.

John

[JASd17]

LNER Sectional Appendix North Eastern Area 1st Nov 1947. Page 58:

Line No. 24 - Melmerby North to Thirsk, including Thirsk Town Branch.

Between Topcliffe and Thirsk.

Stirk's Siding:-This siding must only be worked during daylight.

I cannot find any further information on old maps. I don't think it is on the Thirsk Town Branch.
But still looking.

John

[Tom F]

Thanks John, I appreciate the help on this one.

I don't think it is on the Thirsk Town Branch.
John

Neither do I, anything that is on the Thirsk Town Branch, the WTT usually states so, the train appears to terminate at Thirsk Junction.