Questions about Doncaster Works, Steam Engine Manufacturing and general

[hsrhowar]

Hello all,

I have been researching and have become fascinated in Doncaster, the locomotive works site (now part-owned by Wabtec) and steam engine travel/ manufacturing in general.

I have so many questions for anybody knowledgeable on this site/ steam engine manufacturing. The Mallard and Flying Scotsman are the key engines that Doncaster works have produced.

Hopefully I could have some contact information for some of you, willing to answer questions that I have!

Here's the first:

I've attached a crop of the 1890s survey of Doncaster works and am trying to confirm whether all of the double-lines across the site are tracks and if so whether the rings that many of the double-lines meet at are in fact turning circles?

Hopefully hear back from you soon

 

[Elecman]

I'm not overly familiar with Doncaster Works, but I suspect the lines referred to are internal narrow gauge lines within the works areas and thus the little circles will be turntables

 

[Cowley]

They seem to be linked to the standard gauge lines. Would they be wagon turntables would anyone know? For the OP a wagon turntable would be a circle with track on it that would be large enough to turn a four wheeled truck, the picture below is a model of one but it gives you a good idea of how they worked, they saved a lot of space.
I don't know Doncaster works at all well but was the area with the turntables a wagon works or stores area does anyone else know?

Just looked again and saw the gasworks. Not sure what the buildings behind the main works are though.

 

[eastdyke]

Hello Roan and welcome to the RailUK Forum.

The 'turntables' within the works are almost certainly for wagons. At the time of your plan, there were 2 (locomotive) turntables, one to the north and one to the south of the station, shown as rather larger circles than those within the works.

If you could get a copy of '150 Years of Doncaster Plant Works: A Pictorial History of Yorkshire's Famous Railway Works' ISBN-13: 978-1872062044, usually available second hand on-line for a few pounds, it would give you a pictorial flavour of what went on. Other books are available with more text of the historical and political background as well as matters technical.

Doncaster has the 'Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery' within which is a small display relating to the development of 'The Plant'. It is pot luck though that anybody with rail knowledge will be present on any given day. If planning a visit a check in advance that the display will be open is always advisable.

The National Rail Museum is located in York, close to the station, their exhibits and archives are substantial in all ways.

I wish you well with your searching!

 

[70014IronDuke]

Hello Roan,

I do not wish you to abandon questions on this forum. There are many wise and knowledgeable members here, and someone may be able to help you in detail.

But your needs are somewhat specialised - you may also like to try this specialised LNER forum, which might have a few experts on "The Plant" as Doncaster Works was known.

http://www.lner.info/forums/index.php?sid=583bcb658a5d1f5f4e2dd64aff122556

BTW, we do not refer to locomotives as "The" Mallard or "The" Flying Scotsman.

"The Flying Scotsman" is the name of the train, which for many years left Kings Cross and Edinburgh at 10.00 am. (But not today.)

"Flying Scotsman" is the name of the locomotive (which was, it is true, named after the train - a bit confusing!).

Doncaster Works manufactured many important locomotives in its lifetime. "Mallard" and "Flying Scotsman" are probably the most famous - that is all. they were not technically superior to any other examples of their class members, - A4 and A1 - later A3 respectively. Look up the classes here:

http://www.lner.info/locos/A/a4.php

http://www.lner.info/locos/A/a1a3a10.php

All best wishes in your research.