{"id":335,"date":"2026-03-13T15:39:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gainsboroughmodelrailway.co.uk\/?page_id=335"},"modified":"2026-03-18T18:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T18:01:05","slug":"the-railway","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gainsboroughmodelrailway.co.uk\/?page_id=335","title":{"rendered":"The Railway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/span>
\n

A journey from Kings Cross to Leeds<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Kings Cross<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

The real Kings Cross was opened in 1852 by the Great Northern Railway and has been the London terminus of the East Coast Main Line ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t have the space to build a full scale replica, there is no doubt when you walk into the clubrooms that it\u2019s Kings Cross that greets you, complete with the York Road platform on the Moorgate lines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Stirling ‘single’ and Ivatt ‘atlantic’ share the bufferstops at Kings Cross<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A Gresley N2 pulls into York Road station as other members of the class await their next duties<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

From here, express trains leave for the North, suburban services shuttle to and from Hitchin as well as empty stock moves to Hornsey carriage sidings. Locomotives are also turned and prepared for their next turn in Kings Cross loco yard.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it\u2019s our lucky day and we will board the evening Pullman service to Leeds. As we leave Kings Cross, we quickly enter Gasworks Tunnel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Kings Cross here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Hornsey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

We pick up speed on leaving the tunnel and immediately on our right, Ferme Park goods yard and locomotive shed appears. Hornsey booking office sits on the road overbridge as we pass underneath. Hornsey station boasts four platforms flanked by carriage sidings on both sides, where empty stock from Kings Cross is stabled, serviced and readied for its next duty. You will often find Pullman carriages, overnight sleepers and even the ‘West Riding Limited’ stabled here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the right, a sign of modernisation as the new Hornsey diesel depot sits in the shadow of the imposing facade of a warehouse built by the Great Northern Railway. As we leave the station, we dive into another tunnel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Gresley A4; 4490 ‘Empire of India’ bursts out of Gasworks Tunnel with the ‘West Riding Limited’<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Ferme Park locomotive shed, with a suburban service for Kings Cross in the foreground<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Hornsey here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Ferme Park Goods Yard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Ferme Park is the London terminus for goods trains from the North. As well as having a large goods shed, Ferme Park also has a dedicated motorail platform and loading ramp for loading road vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Gresley 03 (originally 01) 63482 & War Department ‘austerity’ 90732 ‘Vulcan’ await the road at Ferme Park with northbound unfitted goods trains.<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Robinson class B5 ‘fish engine’ 6070 about to leave Ferme Park with northbound fish empties, no doubt heading for the port of Grimsby<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The locomotive shed houses goods engines for the many and varied goods trains that head north. These include Riddles standard 9f\u2019s and Gresley V2\u2019s for the prestigious \u2018Scotch goods\u2019 or the many fish trains that were once a common sight bringing Grimsby fish to the capital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Ferme Park here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Hatfield<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Back on the mainline, we leave the tunnel and we’re no longer in suburbia, but in the countryside, approaching Hatfield. The village dominates the scene here as we steam through the station. Some local services terminate in the bay platform here, but we carry on and enter another tunnel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A suburban service calls at Hatfield, with a Gresley N2 locomotive in charge<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Hitchin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A busy period at Hitchin. On the left, N2 69517 waits to make its journey back to Moorgate with a ‘quad art’ set, whilst a fish train has arrived on the slow lines. On the right, Gresley K2 61777 passes through the station with a southbound parcels train<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Hitchin is the terminus of suburban services from Kings Cross. As we pass through on the fast lines, we see the Travelling Post Office (TPO) on its way to Ferme Park. The station building is based on the real Hitchin station. On the up lines, the signals are still traditional semaphore signals, whilst the down lines are protected by colour light signals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

On leaving Hitchin station we enter a tunnel and the ‘Werrington loop’ trails in from the left at Hitchin north junction. The ‘loop’ as it is known, is the only continuous circuit on the railway and allows us to regulate traffic in both directions<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Stanier Jubilee 45694 ‘Bellerophon’ waits for the signal to clear in Hitichin station with a southbound TPO service<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Hitchin here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Werrington Junction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Riddles 9f, 92180 waits in the goods loop at Werrington Junction with a fish train for London.<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

There is no station here, but the junction is important as it allows us to regulate the timing of trains. Trains taking the level route follow a circular route and will eventually find themselves back at Werrington Junction, where if they then take the route that climbs away to the left, they will carry on their journey north.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

There is also a goods loop on the up line at Werrington Junction allowing passenger trains to overtake slower goods trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this part of the railway you can view trains on four different levels. Hatfield sits behind the junction and at a slightly lower level, whilst above Hatfield is the northern exit from Retford and finally on top is the approach to Leeds Central.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Gresley P1, 2393 is held at a red signal in the goods loop at Werrington Junction<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Werrington Junction here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Retford<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Retford\u2019s home signal clears and we draw to a halt in Retford. The station here is a replica of the real station buildings and is the terminus of local services from Leeds and Doncaster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Off the platform end is a small goods  yard and engine shed. A number of express and mail trains change locomotives here, so the engine shed is always busy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
An unidentified Peppercorn A1 in Retford station, waiting for the signal before setting off for Kings Cross<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A Thompson L1; 67720 sits in the locomotive yard at Retford. The goods yard is in the background<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The operator has a restricted view of trains approaching Retford station, so has to use mirrors to see what\u2019s coming. One is high on the wall in the corner of the room. The other\u2026. it\u2019s set into the back of Retford North signal box. Leaving Retford, we pass under a bridge and back out into the countryside, before entering a short tunnel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Retford here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Doncaster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

On leaving the tunnel, we\u2019re working hard uphill through a shallow cutting towards Doncaster. Keep an eye out for Doncaster\u2019s down home signal, with working route indicator. Under the girder bridge, the lines to and from Doncaster Decoy yard diverge to the left as we enter the station.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Sentinel railcar and push pull set, sit in the northern bay at Doncaster<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
The complex pointwork on the southern approach to Doncaster. The lines off to the left lead to Doncaster Decoy goods yard.<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The main station building is another replica of the real thing and still stands today. Local services to Retford and Leeds start and terminate here from the bay platforms. We\u2019re not stopping today, so we carry on through another tunnel and up the final gradient towards Fitzwilliam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Doncaster here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Doncaster Decoy Yard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A general view across Decoy goods yard. The locomotive depot is to the rear and behind that Doncaster station<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

All goods trains from the south terminate here and are remarshalled for their return journeys. Locomotives are turned and await their next duties on the shed and whilst nearly all these will be humble goods locomotives, keep and eye out for a gleaming pacific from time to time, ready to take an express back to London.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Doncaster Decoy Yard here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Fitzwilliam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

We pass over the girder bridge and clatter over the level crossing. Two sets of gates are required here, the second set covering the goods yard entrance. In the goods yard itself the local coal merchant is busy loading his lorry for the day’s deliveries. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Gresley J50 3229 has just brought fresh supplies for the coal merchant<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
The level crossing at Fitzwilliam. On the left is Main Street, whilst in the left background can be seen the goods shed<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

On the left is Main Street, with plenty of activity. As we pass through, did you spot the youth with a catapult? The station itself is on a curve with staggered platforms. Semaphore signals are the order of the day here. As we leave Fitzwilliam we begin to slow for our arrival in Leeds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Fitzwilliam here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Leeds Central<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Whilst Kings Cross station is still very much recognisable today, there is virtually no trace of the real Leeds Central, but it lives on here in Gainsborough. The unusual underslung signals can clearly be see and behind them, eight platforms all teeming with activity. There is a motorail service ready to depart, as well as expresses to the south and local services to Fitzwilliam, Doncaster and Reford.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
A1, A2\/1 & A4 pacifics line up under the unusual signal gantries at Leeds Central<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
End of the line. Gresley A3, V2 and A4 locomotives stand at the buffer stops in Leeds Central<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Adjacent to the station is Copley Hill shed \u2013 always a busy place with most locomotives requiring turning for their return journeys south.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More images of Leeds Central here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n