Returning to Grantham

[61070]

I'd just like to wish a very happy New Year to everyone who's contributed to this thread since it kicked off in March. I did a quick tally and there appear to be 42 of you so my grateful thanks to all our readers but especially, 'in order of appearance' as they say to:

stembok, R. Pike, 52D, Bryan, manna, StevieG, giner, Bill Bedford, CVR1865, Andy W, Flamingo, Mallard, AndyRush, brsince78, mr B, Firbeck, rob237, 60129 GUY MANNERING, lincolnian, 52A, 2512silverfox, jweallans, third-rail, PGBerrie, strang steel, DaveF, adge, hq1hitchin, 60041, Brush53Falcon, workev, mossie, ROY@34F, hyperion, Boris, kudu, Columbo, 60022Mallard, Hermit 109, Multiprinter, Howard, deltic9013

As the sun sets on 2010 here's 61394, caught between the lengthening shadows of the station buildings, heading for King's Cross with fish from Hull on 31st August 1961. The light haze from the chimney would appear to show that the fireman has everything well in hand for a good run up to Stoke summit, and surely the fish will be at the market on time next morning.

[rob237]

I'm sure that thanks are more than reciprocated by the 42 listed names to yourself, for your superb thread.
Best wishes for 2011 to you, and all other group members...
Cheers
Robt P.

[strang steel]

Thanks John, and best wishes for 2011 to everyone on this thread also.

I like those low lit photos. I know that the purists would criticise because of the very dark shadows, but somehow to me they add atmosphere.

Late August 1961 would be about the time that I had the plaster removed from my left leg, which I had broken the previous May. The photo allows me to reminisce over what I might have witnessed had I had not been sitting in hospital waiting rooms for hours.

[ROY@34F]

I would like to echo rob237's comments to John,whom I have had the privilage to meet,and who has given us all these wonderful remenicences.And a happy new year to all.
Roy.

[60129 GUY MANNERING]

A Very Happy New Year to you as well John and the other 41 contributors to this great thread. We are indebted to you and your Father for this enlightening look back at a very happy period in my life and I am sure many other peoples.

[StevieG]

61070,
There seems little I can now add to what has already been writ by way of returning thanks to you for the photos to study and be able to add some info. about.
Thank you for the specific acknowledgements to myself and the others named, although I feel I haven't added that much compared to some (being more a signal operating and equipment man than a train working, timetable, loco, rolling-stock, or local railway history expert), plus the occasional recollection of social relevance or contemporary products.

Yes, a very Happy New Year indeed to all 'Grantham' contributors and remarkable researchers, and indeed to all contributors to the Forums.

[52D]

I can only echo the published sentiments, keep up the good work.

[61070]

At the 50 second mark on this clip, there is a shot of Grantham station where parts of the platform awnings have collapsed due to the weight of snow in 1947.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xPmYO8jPs

Is that the south end of the station?

Thanks to the GER Society's absolutely brilliant digitisation of the LNER Magazine (my copy arrived yesterday) here's a mention of the collapse of the canopy shown in the clip:
The weather deteriorated badly on Monday, February 3, and that evening ‘blizzard’ conditions developed throughout the northern half of the Southern Area, and in parts of the North Eastern Area. The following day, the heavy snow accompanied by winds of gale force drifted to depths of several feet in many places, causing great interruption to signalling and telephone communication. In the Manchester district, conditions were particularly bad and all services had to be suspended as the main line between the city and Sheffield, and the Oldham, Glossop and Macclesfield branches were completely blocked. Blockages of lines and interruption of communications were frequent also in Leeds, Doncaster, Nottingham and Lincoln districts. The East Coast Main Line was kept clear almost continuously but on February 4, the weight of snow caused a platform awning at Grantham Station to collapse and both the up and down lines were blocked for nearly five hours.
(from the LNER Magazine March 1947, pp.50-51)

The GER's double DVD set is a truly marvellous resource, whether you are a browser or a researcher or both, and excellent value too. See lner-magazine-on-dvd-from-ger-society-t4473.html

[Bryan]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2848&p=21185&hilit= ... ort#p21185
The Northern area had a similar instance in 1941 and the GM Jenkin Jones wrote a report that I posted a while ago in Nov 2009.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Thanks for a great thread, did you go anywhere else on the Eastern ?? in the 60's

And a Happy New Year to you, thanks again.

manna

[strang steel]

G'Day Gents

Thanks for a great thread, did you go anywhere else on the Eastern ?? in the 60's

manna

Good heavens no.

It was a week's pocket money for the train fare just to get to Grantham. Would have loved to venture to Doncaster but it might as well have been on the moon. (and that is not a reference to spaceships).

Visits to the GN&GE between Sleaford and Spalding were the only other destination, but that was by pushbike and was more weather dependant.

[60129 GUY MANNERING]

My was I lucky had Aunties & Uncles in Grantham so most of the school holidays spent there as my Dad was allowed Privelige Tickets for me and my Uncle was a Guard at Grantham working up to London Kings Cross so could travel accompanied on the workings he was on. We lived in London in the Railway Cottages at Neasden,where my dad worked so could nearly always bunk round there. He was also at Kings Cross ,but that was never so easy to get round. Also used to travel around the London Terminus stations and some other sheds were regular visits at the weekend or after school. Willesden 1A ,Old Oak Common 81A,Cricklewood 14C were the most common. Its amazing my parents were very protective and yet felt quite at ease with me going off with sandwiches and pop all over the place Trainspotting when I had only just turned 12 and I was never concerned. I used to have a 3 mile walk to and from school to save the bus fare for my more important journeys to see Sir Nigel,Lord Tennyson or any of the other treats that were on offer to a scruffy little oik who thought girls just spoiled everything. I was so bright at 12 ,but unfortuneatley it did not last!!

Great Days.

[Bryan]

During my army days I used to operate Aveling Barford graders amongst other things.
When passing through Grantham on the train I used to often notice the works to the east of the line.
Was there any rail connection to the AB works? and any photos?

[52D]

Bryan its a bit of an Industrial estate now, i had a ferret around while i worked at one of the companies on it and i would say it probably had a rail connection but no real hard evidence.

[61070]

Bryan - I haven't definite evidence that there was a connection, but two things point to it.

1. I have an reprint of an OS map of 1903 which shows a connection from the up side sidings, serving the Ruston & Hornsby Works, running south under the Great North Road into a 'Boiler Works' on the site where the Aveling Barford Works was later to be established.

2. I've been trawling the LNER Magazine on DVD this weekend for Grantham stories (there are many!) and this piece came up which, while not definitive, kind of hints that there was sufficient trade with the factories that the LNER had a man assigned to both Works checking consignments.

L&NER Magazine February 1939, p.104:
At the Goods Department, Grantham, on December 23 [1938], Mr. J. Ellis was presented with a fireside chair and a kerb from his colleagues, to mark the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Lee, chief clerk, presided over the gathering, and the presentation was made by supervisory foreman S. Morris, who paid tribute to the work and worth of Mr. Ellis, and wished him many years of health and happiness. Checker Ellis has been in the service of the L.N.E.R. for over 30 years, most of which have been spent at Grantham. He served first as porter, was later sack porter, and for the past 8 years has been in charge of the railway company's work at Messrs. Ruston & Hornsby's and (also latterly) Messrs. Aveling-Barford's Works. The staff of the Packing Shop at Messrs. Ruston & Hornsby's also presented Mr. Ellis with a pipe and a pouch of tobacco.