Picton.

P4 or not P4 that was the question …….
Given that a number of existing club projects were nearing completion and with one eye on the future, discussions started with a view to what was to come next. After a little mental ‘exercise’ it was decided that a new layout constructed to P4 standards would admirably fulfil several modelling aims of some club members. One member’s Great Grandfather was Station Master at Picton in the early 1900’s and his Grandfather was born there.

From the onset it was decided that work on the new layout would be open to all who wished to do so. Picton station lies on the former Leeds & Newcastle (later North Eastern Railway) line from Northallerton to Eaglescliffe opened in 1846. It became a junction with the opening in 1857 of the North Yorkshire & Cleveland Railway to Battersby Junction. The period chosen is c.1947-1960 and encompasses the late LNER and early BR periods, allowing a wide range of NER, LNER & BR steam engines, Railcar’s, early DMU’s and diesels. The main line remains to this day and sees Trans Pennine services plus air-braked freights, diversions etcetera. Not so fortunate was the branch line to Battersby, it succumbed to the decline affecting rural railways in the 1950’s and 60’s. Passenger traffic was withdrawn from Picton to Battersby on the 14^th June 1954 with total closure to all traffic as far as Stokesley on 1^st December 1958. However Picton to Trenholme bar was retained for wagon storage until the early 70’s. The final nail in the coffin of the branch proper came with the closure of the Stokesley to Battersby Junction section to freight on 2^nd August 1965.

Returning to the proposed layout it was considered that progress would be best achieved by adopting a pseudo-modular approach with the view of attaching a fiddle yard board to any of the scenic boards….. but we shall see!. This would both enable us to test the layout as it develops and (hopefully!) stave off the onset of depression and insanity whilst allowing us to show the layout throughout its construction. Next after studying maps of the layout an outline track plan was decided on, one or two small compromises will have to be made to fit the layout into a reasonably sized space and more of them anon.

Initially if anyone can provide us with photographs/drawings etcetera of Picton Station/Junction and its immediate environment and/or details of working arrangements/traffic patterns etcetera we would be very grateful.
If you can help contact us Picton Group Email

Picton Project Historical Notes.

The now closed Picton station lies on the former Leeds Northern (previously Leeds & Thirsk and after 1854 the North Eastern Railway) line from Northallerton to Eaglescliffe. The line was formally opened on the 15th of May 1852, public opening taking place on the 2nd of June. It became a junction on the 3rd of March 1857 on the opening of the North Yorkshire & Cleveland Railway to Stokesley. A branch to Whorlton Ironstone mines was opened at the same time. Passenger traffic was withdrawn from Picton to Battersby on the 14th June 1954 (last trains 12th June) with total closure to all traffic as far as Stokesley on 1st December 1958 (last trains 29th November). Services on the main line survived a little longer passenger services being withdrawn from the 2nd January 1960, with freight finishing on the 11th of July 1964. However the Picton to Trenholme bar stretch of the branch was retained after closure for wagon storage until 1971. The final nail in the coffin of the branch proper came with the closure of the Stokesley to Battersby Junction section to freight on 2nd August 1965.

The origins of what eventually became the Leeds Northern Railway began in 1843 when a group of Leeds business men wished to promote a new shorter railway line linking Leeds to Teesside and Durham. The prospectus for what was to become the Leeds & Thirsk (from 1849 the Leeds Northern) Railway was issued in May 1844. By the 9th of July 1849 with the opening of the final section it was possible to travel from Leeds to Thirsk throughout. Competition to the Leeds & Thirsk’s aspirations in the area intensified with the Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway’s takeover of the Great North of England on the 27th of July 1846. The new company the York & Newcastle Railway directly threatened the finances of the Leeds & Thirsk, which was further increased when on the 9th of August 1847 the York and Newcastle amalgamated with the Newcastle and Berwick to form the York, Newcastle & Berwick. However, sense it seems prevailed and on the 2nd of November 1852 it was proposed to integrate the businesses of the Leeds Northern, York & North Midland and York, Newcastle & Berwick Railways. This common sense approach prevented over competition between the three. Therefore from April of 1853 traffic for the three companies was worked as one. On the 4th of August 1853 an additional act was obtained by the Leeds & Thirsk in order to raise a further £300,000 to finish the construction of stations and to pay off outstanding debts. Finally on the 31st of July 1854 a bill was passed allowing for the amalgamation of the Leeds Northern, York & North Midland and York, Newcastle & Berwick Railways to form the North Eastern Railway.