LMS 4F and M&GN 0-6-0

LMS 4F 0-6-0 on Northampton - Stamford passenger and M&GN 0-6-0 on Kings Lynn - Peterborough East pick-up goods. STAMFORD PRIORY The setting The layout is set in the period circa 1934-1937, in the vicinity of Stamford as described below. Real historical background The GNR line from London to York was backed by Edmund Denison MP with Locke as Engineer. In retaliation George Hudson promoted a branch from Syston to Peterborough. The GNR route bypassed Stamford. This may have been due to opposition at the time from the Marquis of Exeter, but perhaps a more likely cause was the lengthening of the route and the engineering works that would have been required to cut a line through the high ground to the east of Stamford. In 1856 the GNR opened its own station at Stamford East, connected by a branch from its main line at Essendine (known as The Marquis of Exeter’s Line.) In 1867 the line was continued via Barnack and Ufford to the LNWR at Wansford (line closed 1929.) In the late 1870s the LNWR built a line from Yarwell Junction (Wansford) to Seaton, to give a shorter route to Rugby. Modifications to history to suit the needs of the layout It is assumed that the LNWR built the first line into Stamford, a direct line from Seaton. Attempts to penetrate further east were frustrated by the GNR so the LNWR had to settle for an end-on connection at Stamford giving access to Essendine by means of running powers. A connecting line was also built by the LNWR to and across the MR near Uffington & Barnack. The connecting line was built single-track with the intention of doubling at a later date as traffic increased, but this was never carried out. Because of difficulties with the topography and objections from the Marquis of Exeter the connecting line was forced to approach Stamford East via a tight curve necessitating a permanent speed restriction of 45mph. The direct route from Seaton to Stamford was temporarily closed in 1917 due to a major landslip but because of post-war financial difficulties and the 1923 grouping was never reopened, all traffic being diverted onto the connecting line. The situation in the period modelled is that the LMS has running powers over the LNER from Stamford East to Essendine. The LNER has joint use of Stamford East station and has running powers over the LMS from Stamford East to Peterborough but may not serve intermediate stations (except its own goods depot at Water End which is isolated from its system.) There are general goods depots and warehouses at Stamford East but because of space constraints and objections from the Marquis (again!) cattle and coal traffic is handled outside the town at the LMS Stamford Priory Sidings. There are also LMS and LNER depots adjacent to the canal basin at Water End and LMS Engineer’s sidings, served from the approach to Water End Sidings. For most of the day there is a need at Water End for a shunting engine. A shunting engine is also required at Priory Sidings, where an engine siding is provided complete with inspection pit and a small coaling stage.