2. RAILWAYS
  3. MIDLAND & GREAT NORTHERN JOINT RAILWAY

MIDLAND & GREAT NORTHERN JOINT RAILWAY MISCELLANY

Included here are pictures of the old Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway that are not really about locomotives - coaches, wagons, stations, engine sheds, bridges, etc. These pictures are published for pleasure/information/research purposes only and are not for sale or copy under any circumstances. Information in captions has been researched as thoroughly as possible but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
PLEASE NOTE : IMPORTANT MESSAGE : Please be aware that I do not sell copies of ANY of my pictures, DO NOT email copies to viewers or allow re-posting on other sites. Neither do I wish to enter into correspondence with any individual or group regarding my pictures or their captions. All comments reflect my personal opinions and I am not prepared to discuss these with anyone or to spend the rest of my life answering inane questions. I apologise for this disclaimer but I'm afraid it has been forced upon me. I have no wish to offend anyone and I hope you will continue to enjoy my pictures at your leisure.
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SOUTH WITHAM - In contrast to the previous picture, this shot is taken in October 1958, just before the end of passenger services. The ironstone traffic continued until 1964 and this effectively became a terminus of a branch from Saxby. Seen here looking west. Note MR style nameboard.
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SOUTH WITHAM - In contrast to the previous picture, this shot is taken in October 1958, just before the end of passenger services. The ironstone traffic continued until 1964 and this effectively became a terminus of a branch from Saxby. Seen here looking west. Note MR style nameboard.

  • SOUTH LYNN - In the aftermath of the disastrous fire earlier in the year, here we see the locoshed being rebuilt on May 11th, 1958, only to be closed nine months later! The work was never actually completed by British Railways. A lot of Ivatt 4MT's present, 43090 on the right, and a solitary J17.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Looking east from the station prior to closure. The lines to Kings Lynn go left in the distance behind the signalbox whilst the mainline goes straight ahead. The array of calling on signals to the right of the signalbox controls the exit from the East Yard. The line nearest the signalbox with the catch point is a siding, whilst the section in the foreground gives access to the West Yard.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Looking west, from the footbridge I assume, in around the mid '60's I suspect. Pointers Storage Ltd have had their buildings erected over part of the West Yard, behind the Class 03 shunter, although I think the Goods Shed in the old Western Yard is still there. In the distance is the abandoned Single Line Junction Signalbox with a buffer stop to the right of it to prevent access to the river! The lines on the extreme left lead down to Saddlebow Sugar Beet Factory. The loco depot has been demolished, as have all the station buildings and the wooden platform. The line to Kings Lynn Harbour Junction is still open. The mainline stayed in operation for a daily goods train as far as East Rudham until May 1958. The coal depot closed in May 1966. The sugar beet factory closed in 1994 and the whole site has been cleared and redeveloped. The A47 bypass runs almost exactly along this alignment now.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Opened in January 1886 by the Eastern & Midlands Railway on the banks of the River Ouse, it was a fair distance from GER station in Kings Lynn, which was served by a few through trains and a frequent shuttle service. It was one of the major traffic hubs on the M&GN system and a major engine changing point. Here we are looking west from near the locoshed, the short wooden platform on the left. It was an extremely busy station both for goods and passengers. It closed in March 1959.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Opened in January 1886 by the Eastern & Midlands Railway on the banks of the River Ouse, it was a fair distance from GER station in Kings Lynn, which was served by a few through trains and a frequent shuttle service. It was one of the major traffic hubs on the M&GN system and a major engine changing point. Seen here looking east from beyond Platform 3 in the 1950's.
  • SOUTH LYNN - Opened in January 1886 by the Eastern & Midlands Railway on the banks of the River Ouse, it was a fair distance from GER station in Kings Lynn, which was served by a few through trains and a frequent shuttle service. It was one of the major traffic hubs on the M&GN system and a major engine changing point. Seen here looking west from Platform 2 showing the short wooden Platform 3.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - Seen here in 1952, with only 2 Ivatt Class 4MT's on view, still being introduced at this time.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - seen here in October 1953 with Ivatt 4MT's much in evidence - they had by this time virtually taken over all services - 43143 sits on the road on the far right whilst Class J69 No.68542 sits in the doorway on the left.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - Seen here looking from the back of the shed with Class C 4-4-0's No.76 and 48 in shot, probably in the 1920's.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - Seen here looking from the front in the 1910's with, from the left, locos Nos.80, 89 and 83 on view.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - Seen here with Ivatt Class 4MT's almost the only loco to be seen, so complete was their takeover.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - The locomotive depot, only a couple of years old and already closed, with Class J69 No.68542 on the left, Class J17 No.65582 and Class B1 No.61059, all 3 of them Kings Lynn based engines. Behind them lurks an Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0. Seen here in June 1960.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - The locomotive shed at South Lynn, built almost entirely of wood, was badly damaged by fire in early 1958. Amazingly, given that the threat of closure was already hanging over the M&GN, it was decided to rebuild it, work which was still underway when the line closed.
  • SOUTH LYNN LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT (31D) - The locomotive shed at South Lynn, built almost entirely of wood, was badly damaged by fire in early 1958. Amazingly, given that the threat of closure was already hanging over the M&GN, it was decided to rebuild it, work which was still underway when the line closed. This shot shows the locoshed in 1980, still in use for commercial purposes. The tracks give access to the Saddlebow sugar beet factory.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - A brand new station built entirely of wood, seen here just after opening, looking towards Saxby. The yard on the right caters to the extensive ironstone traffic from this area, the tower being a wagon drop. The ironstone quarry was just behind this tower beyond the hedge line.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - Bridge No.20 crossed Thistleton Lane just east of South Witham Station. There was a footpath adjacent to the left side that gave access to the Westbound platform. Note how the road has had to be dug away, even then giving a headroom of only 12 feet 6 inches. It probably floods in winter too. You'd think they'd demolish it and raise up the level of the road.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - Bridge No.25 was built to carry what was then known as the Great North Road over the railway. When the A1, as it is now known, was dualled in the 1960's, another bridge was built adjacent to carry the northbound carriageway and the trackbed was utilised for the slip roads.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - In contrast to the previous picture, this shot is taken in October 1958, just before the end of passenger services. The ironstone traffic continued until 1964 and this effectively became a terminus of a branch from Saxby. Seen here looking west.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - In contrast to the previous picture, this shot is taken in October 1958, just before the end of passenger services. The ironstone traffic continued until 1964 and this effectively became a terminus of a branch from Saxby. Seen here looking west. Note MR style nameboard.
  • SOUTH WITHAM - Not a very good picture but the best I could do. The stationmaster's house, the only permanent building in an otherwise wooden station.
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