Swinton to Mexborough.

[Mugby]

Am I correct in thinking there was a Swinton curve in BR days, then it was removed, then re-instated (i.e. the curve which is there today)

If it existed in the old days, what would have used it? it would have offered no advantage over travelling via Kilnhurst and joining the Midland at Aldwarke, in fact the Swinton line is quite sharply curved and steeply graded.

The present day curve is used by all Doncaster trains and enables the stoppers to call at Swinton, but whenever I travelled from Sheffield to Doncaster in BR days, the trains always crossed at Aldwarke and used the Kilnhurst route.

Any thoughts?

 

[yorkie]

Am I correct in thinking there was a Swinton curve in BR days, then it was removed, then re-instated (i.e. the curve which is there today)

I think you are right, as it does appear in this map which appears to be from the 1950s:

http://www.npemap.org.uk/tiles/map.html#446,399,1

The present day curve is used by all Doncaster trains...

Almost all, yes. Some avoid Swinton.

 

[Greenback]

When the Swinton curve was reinstated in 1991 (I think) there was an excellent article in Modern Railways which set out the railway history of the area. From what I can remember, there were a number of competing lines built by different railway companies who all wanted to get their hands on the lucrative freight traffic in the area.

The Grouping, then Nationalisation, followed by the decline in coal and other heavy industries in South and West Yorkshire inevitably led to rationalisation as some of the lines were no longer needed. In the late 1980's the old Inter City BR sub sector produced a case for reopening the curve, which would allow for higher speeds and shorter journey times overall between Sheffield and Doncaster.

I can't remember exactly why the line was built originally or by which company, so I would be delighted if someone can refresh my fading memory!

 

[sheff'd victoria]

When the Swinton curve was reinstated in 1991 (I think) there was an excellent article in Modern Railways which set out the railway history of the area. From what I can remember, there were a number of competing lines built by different railway companies who all wanted to get their hands on the lucrative freight traffic in the area.

The Grouping, then Nationalisation, followed by the decline in coal and other heavy industries in South and West Yorkshire inevitably led to rationalisation as some of the lines were no longer needed. In the late 1980's the old Inter City BR sub sector produced a case for reopening the curve, which would allow for higher speeds and shorter journey times overall between Sheffield and Doncaster.

I can't remember exactly why the line was built originally or by which company, so I would be delighted if someone can refresh my fading memory!

Part of the line at the Mexborough end used to go into the large Wath Yard and onto either Penistone/Woodhead or Barnsley

 

[brompton rail]

Doncaster to Sheffield trains travelled via the Great Central route, i.e. Kilnhurst Central, Rotherham Central and Broughton Lane to Sheffield Victoria in the 1960's when I first came to South Yorkshire. Around 3 trains per day travelled via the Midland route from Mexborough via Swinton and Rotherham Masborough to Sheffield Midland. However my recollection is that these were never conveniently timed to connect with Sheffield Midland to Birmingham services, and the traveller was forced to do the trek along Sheaf Street from Victoria to Midland - an unpleasant and time consuming walk (mostly in the rain I seem to recall!)

Aldwark was completed some time later (possibly after the closure of Victoria and the Woodhead line) and then all Sheefield - Doncaster trains went that way - serving Masborough and not Central (closed) in Rotherham. Cross Country HST also used Aldwark, as I recall one occasion when the road was set incorrectly (it was 4 track Masborough to Swinton) and we crossed over to the S& K (York line) pair but didn't take the curve to Kilnhurst and Doncaster. Result - sharp stop followed by conversation with the box, HST reversal, points set for correct route and on to Doncaster!

 

[David Barrett]

Aldwark was completed some time later (possibly after the closure of Victoria and the Woodhead line) and then all Sheefield - Doncaster trains went that way - serving Masborough and not Central (closed) in Rotherham.

Aldwarke was part of the 1960s Sheffield area Rationalisation, before the Closure of Victoria but a part of the process none the lass.

 

[Mugby]

Part of the line at the Mexborough end used to go into the large Wath Yard and onto either Penistone/Woodhead or Barnsley

I'm a bit confused by that because at the Mexborough end the line continues to Conisborough and Doncaster. Wath/Barnsley/Penistone were in the opposite direction.

Anyway, after a great deal of searching, I found that Swinton curve actually pre-dated the Kilnhurst line and the first Sheffield - Doncaster trains went that way, operated by the Midland on behalf of The South Yorkshire Railway who building the line from Doncaster to Barnsley. (Don - Swinton was the first bit to open)
The SYR was later absorbed into the MS&L (later GC) who took over the running of the trains.

The curve was lifted in 1968 and then re-instated in the 1980's to coincide with the re-opening of Swinton station.

But as brompton rail says, before it was lifted, one or two passenger trains continued to use the curve, I can't imagine why though because there was no advantage and there were far fewer Sheffield - Doncaster trains then, than there are today.
Could it have been for route familiarisation? I didn't think BR did such a thing.

 

[David Barrett]

But as brompton rail says, before it was lifted, one or two passenger trains continued to use the curve, I can't imagine why though because there was no advantage and there were far fewer Sheffield - Doncaster trains then, than there are today.
Could it have been for route familiarisation? I didn't think BR did such a thing.

Probably Historical, there was a limited LMS Service between Sheffield Midland and Doncaster and quite possibly MR before that; I have a copy of a 1938 timetable which shows 3 trips in each direction. Maybe rooted in competition for Yorkshire-Midlands and South/West Country Passengers between The GC and MR after the opening of the London Branch or maybe it even pre-dates that and the Midland wished to maintain a presence East of Mexborough after the opening of the route via Kilnhurst Central. I don't really know for sure though.

 

[Saltleyman]

Am I correct in thinking there was a Swinton curve in BR days, then it was removed, then re-instated (i.e. the curve which is there today)

If it existed in the old days, what would have used it? it would have offered no advantage over travelling via Kilnhurst and joining the Midland at Aldwarke, in fact the Swinton line is quite sharply curved and steeply graded.

The present day curve is used by all Doncaster trains and enables the stoppers to call at Swinton, but whenever I travelled from Sheffield to Doncaster in BR days, the trains always crossed at Aldwarke and used the Kilnhurst route.

Any thoughts?

Swinton North Curve originally linked the LMS (Midland) line to the Eastern(Great Central) lines at Mexborough,however BR decided to "rationalise" the lines in the area and created a "new" Junction at Aldewarke and when opened they shut the Swinton North Curve as it now was redundant,however with the re-opening of Rotherham Central Station the Junction at Aldwake was shut and the Curve at Swinton was again opened. Crazy to say the least !

 

[David Barrett]

From the Passenger WTT 13/06 - 11/09 1960:

Pass Mexboro' No.1/ Class/ No./ Remarks.

Down

09.53 A 5225 SO 08.25 Hull - Birmingham

15.04 B 2064 SX DMU 12.30 Cleethorpes/13.40 Hull-
Sheffield Mid.

16.12 B 5283 SX DMU 14.45 Hull - Sheffield Mid.

23.36 A 5231 FO 22.05 Hull - Sheffield Mid.
Commences 24/06. Portion to
Paignton until 01/07. Through
to Paignton from 08/07

Up

10.27 A 5214 SX DMU 09.03 Nottingham Mid. -
Hull

15.27 A 5226 SX DMU 15.07 Sheffield Mid. -
Hull

15.39 A 5226 SO DMU 15.16 Sheffield Mid -
Hull

17.26 B 1541 SX DMU 17.05 Sheffield Mid. -
Cleethorpes.

18.10 A 5240 FO 17.46 Sheffield Mid. -
Hull. Commences 24/06