Turntables

The 1898 turntable at Marylebone was positioned north of the station, to the east of the GCR running lines, between them and the Met lines. It appears on early track diagrams and I am quite sure I have seen reference to it, possibly in George Dow's 'Great Central', that it was around 55 to 60' diameter. There was a small MPD at Marylebone on opening, which closed after a few years and its duties and allocation were moved to Neasden.

The date 1937 is significant in that Gresley pacifics and V2s were cascaded to the GCML at around that time and these locomotives were significantly larger than anything that had run into Marylebone previously. John M C Healy's book 'Echoes of the Great Central' has a photo in it of Leicester Central around 1938 with Mallard on shed, the caption being that she'd run there 'to test the new 70' turntable'.

Is it not possible therefore that the original Marylebone turntable was also taken out of service around that time, and a new 70' turntable built to replace it?- and the larger diameter meaning it wouldn't fit in the original location, hence why it was moved to the west side of the GC/ LNER lines just beyond the platforms?- and hence it being this 'new' 1937 table which survived and was moved to the West Highland?

 

Never underestimate the ability of HE (or EH as was) to get things wrong and for the DCMS to swallow it. Let me give you my pet example. In around 1982 I had to process an application for LBC to move a grade II listed statue from one side of a public square to another. It had been listed in 1977 and the description said more or less what was on the plinth, erected 1886, local philanthropist, MP etc. However, I knew that it had actually been erected at that spot in 1972 because I had dealt with the planning application for the redesign of the square. It had spent the first 86 years of its "life" about 1.5 miles away. I had the documentation to prove it which was all sent off to the Government Regional Office and Listed Building Consent came back after about three weeks. As far as I know the official list still gives the impression that it has been where it is since 1886!

 

View attachment 101097

 

Stanier class 5 No.45450 on the turntable at Marylebone in summer 1963 .

 

And 60 years later in the summer of 2023 another Black 5, No 45212, is turned on the same turntable now situated about 500 miles north of Marylebone in the undergrowth at Fort William.



Peter

 

46229 on the turntable at Marylebone on 29th June 1985.

 

This was one of many occasions that 46229 hauled the "Shakespeare Limited" successfully between Marylebone and Stratford - upon - Avon.
If my eyes do not deceive me I think the lighter blue (well washed?) overalls, near the left of the picture, contain the personage of Senior Technical Officer Keith Jackson who gave many fitness to run inspections at Marylebone.
Furthest away on the right of the picture [alongside the turntable operator] might be Inspector Peter Crawley complete with well clipped moustache and flat cap.
Could the person on the end of the turntable, next to 46229's tender, be Marylebone Traffic Manager John Roker? It appears the gentleman has the ever present radio-telephone slung over his shoulder.
Turning was done so that locos could be disposed, coaled and watered alongside the former Milk Dock and, in this case, ready for 46229's next departure the following day [Sunday 30th].
The empty stock used quite a roundabout routing between Marylebone and Bounds Green Inter City depot where it was based.
Incidentally, some readers may not be aware that Bridge 17 over the line had to have track lowered underneath it, prior to 46229's trip to Stratford on 23rd June. 46229 struck it on Sunday 12th May as had some other locos - including BR Class 31s apparently.
Quite a large part of the Marylebone steam excursion operation was helped by Marylebone Area Manager Steve Hawkes.

 

Yep, definitely Keith (Teeth) Jackson on the left.

 

I could be wrong, but is that Adrian Ashby on the right with the beard? Also, standing next to Keith, is that John Peck?

 

Lots of pictures from the 'Greatest Gathering' showed locos on a turntable at Derby Litchurch Lane works. This table doesn't appear in the Railway Heritage Register Turntable Survey. Has it always been there?
https://www.rhrp.org.uk/surveystatus.htm

 

Correct on both counts.

Peter

 

Thought so, thanks Peter.