Melton Constable History

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The Turntable

B17/6 4-6-0 no. 61636 Harlaxton Manor built in July 1931 and decommissioned in October 1959

The original turntable under construction in 1881

Melton Constable's 70 foot turntable was originally installed as Grantham station's Turntable E but in 1950, it was removed due to suspected subsidence and later reinstalled at Melton Constable, to replace the old hand operated turntable. The new turntable was vacuum operated from the loco, meaning that the locomotives effectively turned themselves.

M&GN Class C 4-4-0 no. 5 - 1929-1937
Courtesy of M&GN Circle


4-4-0 loco with a Belpaire firebox on the earlier turntable - c.1925	Ex GCR J11 0-6-0 no. 5222 being turned by hand - 20th June 1938


The earlier, smaller turntable was operated by hand. The angled pushing bar can be seen along with wooden foot bars around the perimeter to help provide good grip for the men pushing - c.1920	The earlier turntable with a 4MT a J69 and others close by


Turntable turning a 4MT	Turntable turning a 4MT with two D16/3s in the background


Turntable turning 4MT no. 43148 - 1958	Colourised photo of the turntable from 1957


Turntable working	Turntable turning a 4MT with another in the background

c.1955


July 1958	September 1958

After closure of the line to Fakenham and Kings Lynn in 1959, much of the track within the works yard was removed, including the lines to the turntable. The turntable was also removed at this time.

Turntable whistle sign

Turntable with staff posing in front of Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 43154 - c.1955

Standing l-r
G. Youngman, F. Holmes, H. Plattin, G. Moy, S. Williamson, R. Ives, R. Nurse, G. Sands (loco shedmaster)
J. Lown, H. Olley, H. Reeve, J. Wyatt, B. Cook, D. Cook, M. Carman, Ralph Kimber
On loco l-r
A. Bullen, F. Wilson

The loco hauled the inspection train - white cab roof - and was based at Melton Constable.


Turntable removal by steam crane - October 1959 Courtesy of M&GN Circle	Turntable being loaded onto special wagon en route to Kings Cross - October 1959 Courtesy of M&GN Circl

An 80-ton crane had to be brought to Melton Constable to lift this turntable which weighs 20 tons and has become surplus to needs owing to the versatility of the diesel engine which needs no turning.
The turntable, measuring 70 feet, was brought into use in 1953, replacing one which had been at Melton longer than anyone there can remember.
It will now be going into service at King's Cross for it is a modern piece of equipment operable by hand or by the engine's own vacuum brake system.
Superintending the big job of removing the turntable were Mr. W. G. Dunstan, assistant district engineer, Mr. J. Bramwell, mechanical foreman of the motive power department and Melton's stationmaster, Mr. Denis Winn.
Eastern Daily Press - 13th October 1959


Track to the turntable and the turntable itself have both been removed - c.1961	Turntable site and platform - May 1970

If you have any memories, anecdotes or photos please let us know and we may be able to use them to update the site. By all means email or telephone 07836 675369.

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