GN Cattle docks

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Woodcock29
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:59 am
Location: South Australia

GN Cattle docks

Post by Woodcock29 »

I'm involved in a joint project to build an exhibition layout based on the Spilsby branch in Lincolnshire.

I'm struggling to find any decent photos of the Spilsby cattle dock facilities. From the ordinance survey I can see it comprised two pens. But I'm wondering if the two pens are normal rectangular style or what appear to be a classic GN design with 5 sides and a gate at the the apex of the pentagonal shape? The ordinance survey appears to indicate they are but I can't find a photo either of Spilsby or anywhere else for that matter, although I'm sure I've seen photos of this type somewhere.

Andrew
Last edited by Woodcock29 on Tue Feb 26, 2019 6:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hatfield Shed
LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Hatfield Shed »

They are not only elusive, but even when you a have picture it doesn't help with the ground plan, as it is a side on view! I have seen one 'somewhere' of Hitchin's taken from the west face of the down platform. (I have always assumed that the pentagonal form was to aid in singling the beasts so that they then moved in line from pen exit to cattle wagon door, probably with temporary hurdles to prevent escape either side. They wouldn't have had outward opening pairs of gates on the pen exit to define the route, surely?)
Woodcock29
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
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Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Woodcock29 »

Thanks for those comments Hatfield.
JASd17
LNER A3 4-6-2
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Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by JASd17 »

I believe some members of the Sleaford & District MRC have a model of Spilsby, it might be worth seeing what information they have?

Some photos of the layout are posted on flick under Cupar MRC.

John
Woodcock29
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:59 am
Location: South Australia

Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Woodcock29 »

Thanks John.
I've seen photos of fheir layout and see they have built rectangular pens.
However, I remain to be convinced they should be rectangular.
What I really need to find is a good aerial photo.
Andrew
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manna
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Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by manna »

G'day Gents

'Britain from above', may be an option. I looked at a aerial view of Edgware, after reading these posts, and Edgware has the Pentagon cattle dock.

manna
EDGWARE GN, Steam in the Suburbs.
Woodcock29
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
Posts: 686
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:59 am
Location: South Australia

Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Woodcock29 »

I have found that Paul Bason has modelled a pentagonal cattle pen on his layout, Paston Ridings. I was wondering if anyone has better photos of this model than the distant one in the Railway Modeller article in Nov 2017?

Andrew
Hatfield Shed
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Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Hatfield Shed »

Woodcock29 wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:25 pm ...What I really need to find is a good aerial photo.
How about a halfway decent oblique view from a 1928 photo by Aerofilms of Hatfield station? (London's Railways From the Air pub Ian Allan, p128.)

Have to be honest, I wouldn't have recognised it were it not for the ground plan of the station in 'Great Nothern Railway Engine Sheds, Southern Area', pub Irwell Press; which shows the pentagonal pen positioned where it appears in the photo. Further examples in the same title include Hitchin's battery of seven pentagonal pens, and various - mostly single - pentagonal examples on branches. (Alternatives appear possible, Peterborough's two pens are shown as square.)
Woodcock29
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
Posts: 686
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:59 am
Location: South Australia

Re: GN Cattle docks

Post by Woodcock29 »

I'll send you a pm Hatfield Shed.

Andrew
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