Journal 27 — Winter 2004

Table of Contents

  • Passenger classification on the Midland in the nineteenth century / By Glynn Waite
  • Locomotive Aesthetics / By Jack Braithwaite
  • New works from 1908 to 1911 (2)
  • The Midland Railway Temperance Union
  • Query Corner
    • Query 34 : Can you identify the station?
    • Query 38 : Where is this location
  • Comments on Items in Previous Journals
    • No. 2972 and Staff [No.26 cover]
    • Some features of the line from Nottingham to Newark [No.26, p.1]
    • Locomotive aesthetics [no.26, p.13]
    • St. Andrews Church, Derby [No.26, back cover]
  • Front cover

    Front cover

    An essential part of single line working was the exchange of the electric train tablet. Here we find the fireman and signalman ready for the handover at Redditch Gas Works Siding signalbox. The train, hauled by a Johnson 0–6–0, will soon be in Redditch Station. The first carriage is of interest, being one of a design of four-wheeled 26ft brake thirds of 1878 that utilised material from a cancelled order for 58ft bogie carriages. By the time this photograph was taken — c.1903–1907 — these vehicles had long been duplicated, and it had probably been added for strengthening purposes. The wagons alongside the train are standing on the liner connected to the gas works, which is behind the photographer. Just round the corner, also on the right hand side, is the single road engine shed, whilst the building to the left is one of the many needle works that were the principal industry of the town.

    [photo J. Alsop collection; notes by Peter Witts]

  • Rear cover

    The Midland Railway produced some attractive brochures to publicise its facilities. This one, giving details of trains from St. Pancras in January 1913, is no exception. The brochure contains a map of Landon’s electric railways and their connections with the Midland, the times of the omnibus services between St. Pancras, Charing Cross, Victoria and Waterloo, and a summary of services and fares to selected destinations. Interestingly, the details are in alphabetic sequence rather than line order. Although there are footnotes, it s difficult to determine whether each service is a through one, or the passenger has to change en route. Thus, the 4.50am from St. Pancras, which we know conveyed coaches for Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, is shown in alphabetic sequence to arrive at Matlock at 8.37, Nottingham at 7.48, Perth at 6.20 and Sheffield at 8.55. Although the column heading shows ‘a.m.’, the arrival in Perth is clearly not the same morning.

    [L. Knighton collection]