BR in the 1980s Toton Yard in 1988 & 1991 Part One

Back in the 1980s and early 1990s I made frequent visits to the Nottingham and East Midlands area to film the dying "MGR" services (Merry Go Round) trains which fed the various hungry Power Stations in the area. Most particularly the surviving large yard and sidings at Toton. Most of the "MGR" traffic was hauled then by pairs of class 20 locomotives or class 58 locomotives and some by 56 class locomotives. The occasional traffic from Bescot was handled by class 31 locomotives and workings from the North class 37 or 60 locomotives. In a usual day no less than 6 different loco classes could be seen in traffic, but mainly the area was dominated with "MGR"s feeding the nearby Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station. I have put together film which has been digitally converted from primitive VHS format into 2 parts covering Toton and 1 film I made on a short visit to Worksop Station as seen in the recent preview. Most of the footage was taken in 1991 but the first part was filmed in 1988...I hope you enjoy the little blast from the past and more will follow in time. Many thanks to the then Yard Supervisor for his support and agreement in the production of this video. Locomotives featured in this part:

08623,20087,20058,20170,20081,20105,20047,20210,20194,20128,20147,37227,37504,37519,56042,58031,58037,