Rat-run
Sulzer class 25 'Rat' no. 25099 comes off the Corby line at Glendon Junction, just north of Kettering, with a rake of fitted mineral wagons.
Both routes form part of the Midland Mainline (MML) but the more direct line on the left tackles the steeper gradients leading to Sharnbrook summit and, in the 1970s, was the almost exclusive domain of passenger traffic. Freight traffic of the period (which included a significant amount of coal movement from Toton Yard to London) tended to follow the more benignly graded route from Syston North Junction, through Melton Mowbray and Corby before rejoining here at Glendon Junction.
In 1977 it was still a novelty to see a rake of mineral wagons without the brake van and guard bringing up the rear, and I'm wondering if the working might originate from Corby Steelworks. If anyone has any better knowledge I'd be grateful to hear.
Looking at the map I'm presuming I took this from the Glendon Road overbridge but, to be honest, I can remember nothing about this trip or taking the image! What is evident though are the twin-poled telegraph supports, albeit with most wires now removed, as well as a few sempahores dotted around protecting the junction for trains from the north.
Agfa CT18
8th October 1977
Rat-run
Sulzer class 25 'Rat' no. 25099 comes off the Corby line at Glendon Junction, just north of Kettering, with a rake of fitted mineral wagons.
Both routes form part of the Midland Mainline (MML) but the more direct line on the left tackles the steeper gradients leading to Sharnbrook summit and, in the 1970s, was the almost exclusive domain of passenger traffic. Freight traffic of the period (which included a significant amount of coal movement from Toton Yard to London) tended to follow the more benignly graded route from Syston North Junction, through Melton Mowbray and Corby before rejoining here at Glendon Junction.
In 1977 it was still a novelty to see a rake of mineral wagons without the brake van and guard bringing up the rear, and I'm wondering if the working might originate from Corby Steelworks. If anyone has any better knowledge I'd be grateful to hear.
Looking at the map I'm presuming I took this from the Glendon Road overbridge but, to be honest, I can remember nothing about this trip or taking the image! What is evident though are the twin-poled telegraph supports, albeit with most wires now removed, as well as a few sempahores dotted around protecting the junction for trains from the north.
Agfa CT18
8th October 1977