Gallery-March

March

: The scene at March Diesel Depot on 26th June 1983 showing the regular Class 37s and an early-bodied Class 31 as well as a less common Class 40. The diesel depot was constructed in the yard of the original Great Eastern Railway shed which stood beyond the buffer stops of the stabling sidings, but which had been demolished by this time. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: A close-up view of two English Electric thoroughbreds on March depot on 26th June 1983. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Former Class 24 No. ADB968008 (D5054/24054) is seen on March Diesel Depot on 26th June 1983 with Class 31 No. 31402. The class 24 was withdrawn on July 17th 1976 and converted to a train heating unit for use on the Western Region. In December 1982 it was transferred to Cambridge and then almost immediately to March. From here, it entered preservation in October 1983 on the East Lancashire Railway at Bury. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Electrically heated Class 31 No. 31414 is seen at March Diesel Depot on 26th June 1983. The main role of March depot was to support the once extensive freight traffic in and out of Whitemoor Yard. By 1983, however, the Joint Line to Spalding has closed and Whitemoor was much-reduced, truncated shadow of its former self. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: On a beautiful 25th October 2017, Autumn leaves are just starting to appear as GB Railfreight Class 66 No. 66743 eases gently round the sharp curve from March Whitemoor Junction to March West Junction with empty ballast wagons from Whitemoor Local Distribution Centre (LDC) to Mountsorrel. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: March sees a regular and frequent flow of Liner traffic from Felixstowe docks to various parts of the country. Most workings are Class 66-hauled, but very occasionally a Class 70 will make an appearance, as here on 25th October 2017 when Freightliner Class 70 No. 70019 headed a Felixstowe to Crewe Intermodal working. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Crossing over from the Whitemoor curve at March West Junction and heading for Peterborough, GB Railfreight Class 66 No. 66743 heads empty ballast hoppers from Whitemoor to Mountsorrel on 25th October 2017. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Many container workings pass through March at speed, on a daily basis. One such working is 4L93, the 10.34 Lawley Street to Felixstowe North, seen on April 26th 2021 behind 66554. Photo: Alan Jones.

: On a sunny 26th April 2021, Freightliner Class 66s Nos. 66540, 66567 and 66559 have just come round the sharp curve from Whitemoor Yard and accelerate Eastwards on 0A45, the 14.35 Whitemoor to Ipswich Holding Sidings. Photo: Alan Jones.

: March East Junction Signal Box, built in 1885, became a Grade 2 Listed Building on 16th March 2012. Its brickwork is simply delightful, being a variation of Flemish Bond, with occasional double-headers in the pattern. Somewhat less idiosyncratic is Stadler unit 755404, slowing to call at the station on April 26th 2021 with the 13.59 Ipswich to Peterborough. Photo: Alan Jones.

: A group of more senior railway enthusiasts can often be found on Platform 2 at March station. On the 4th of August 2021 they observe GB Railfreight 66773 as it crosses over to run wrong line through the station and round the curve to Whitemoor Yard with 6L37, the 09.54 departure from Hoo Junction. Photo: Alan Jones

: Having arrived Light Engine from Peterborough, GB Railfreight 66723 ‘Chinook’ shunted in March Down Sidings before returning with a short rake of empty container flats on 5th January 2022. Photo: Alan Jones.

March Museum

: March museum has a small but fascinating collection of railway memorabilia and is well worth a visit. Here are some artefacts seen on 24th January 2024 relating to Driver Benjamin Gimbert and Fireman James Nightall, who were awarded the George Cross (James Nightall posthumously) after saving an ammunition train from exploding at Soham on June 2nd 1944. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Seen in March Museum on January 24th 2024, the nameplates of Class 66s No. 66077 ‘Benjamin Gimbert GC’ and 66079 ‘James Nightall GC’ make a fine addition to the collection. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Benjamin Gimbert’s medals, seen on display in March Museum on 24th January 2024. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: Trade Unions have, and continue to, play an important part in railway life. The banner of the March Branch of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) is seen in March Museum on January 24th 2024. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: The builder’s plate of WD 2-8-0 No. 7337, the locomotive crewed by Ben Gimbert GC and James Nightall GC at the time of the Soham explosion, is seen on display in the March Museum on 24th January 2024. Photo: Michael Smyth.

: An interesting item in March Museum, seen on January 24th 2024, is a OO gauge model of the coaling tower at March depot. Notwithstanding its weather-beaten condition, it gives a very good insight into the mechanics of hoisting wagons of coal to the top of the tower and tipping them over into the bunker. Photo: Michael Smyth.