Great Central Railway (preserved)
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The Great Central Railway (GCR) is a heritage railway in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire split in two sections.
The Southern section runs for 8.25 miles from Loughborough to the northern outskirts of Leicester. The former Belgrave and Birstall station was demolished and the current terminus (named Leicester North) built to the south. With the exception of the short section between Bewdley North and Bewdley South signalboxes on the Severn Valley Railway it is the only standard gauge heritage railway in the UK with double track.
North of Loughborough, at Ruddington, is the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, the home of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham), which runs for 9 miles towards Loughborough. In the future the two railways will be connected by reinstating a bridge at Loughborough to cross the Midland Main Line.
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[edit] History
The Great Central London extension opened in 1899 as a link in connecting Manchester to London via Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester. It was the last domestic main line to be built in the UK, and was built to a continental loading gauge.
In 1923 the GCR came under the control of the London & North Eastern Railway. At Nationalisation in 1948, it became part of British Rail Eastern Region. In 1958 a BR reorganisation moved it into the London Midland Region. Historically, the Midland and Great Central had been bitter rivals and the 'Midland' soon reduced services, ending all expresses on the line in 1960.
[edit] Main Line Preservation Group (MLPG)
In the Beeching report of 1963, the line was listed as a duplicate of the Midland Main Line. Apart from the most Southern section into London, the line was closed as a through route in 1966 as part of the Beeching Axe, although a section of the line between Nottingham and Rugby remained open until 1969. Local groups who opposed the closure formed the MLPG at Loughborough.
The original MLPG scheme was to rescue the line from Nottingham Arkwright Street to Rugby Central. This soon was cut back due to financial realities, and refocused on Nottingham to Leicester. After continued funding difficulties and BR's intention to retain the line north of Loughborough for freight traffic, the scheme to preserve Loughborough to Belgrave & Birstall was devised.
North of Loughborough, a Ministry of Defence ordnance depot at Ruddington and the British Gypsum works at East Leake kept the line open, though BR sold the land in Nottingham City that gave access to this stub of a line from rest of the network. BR took up 300 yards of embankment between the preserved section and the Midland Main Line (over which the GCR passed) at Loughborough. Later, in 1980, the bridges over the MML and Railway Terrace at Loughborough were removed. The missing bridges and embankment form now what is known as the "gap".
BR opposed the running of their lines by 'amateurs', and strict operational conditions were imposed on the MLPG when they first operated trains on the double track between Loughborough and Quorn in 1973. A BR pilot-man was required to be on board at all times and held the key to unlock points. In 1976 BR increased the track retention fee from £1,100 to over £3,000 per month. At the same time, they announced that an agreement to buy the line must be made by April 1st or the track would be lifted.
[edit] The Main Line Steam Trust (MLST)
To purchase the land and track, Great Central Railway (1976) PLC issued shares, and the MLPG transformed into the MLST, a charitable body to support the company.
Charnwood Borough Council agreed to purchase the land from BR and lease it to the railway for 99 years. However this still left GCR (1976) PLC the task of raising over £150,000 to purchase the track. Ultimately, the target was not met and only a single track between Loughborough and Quorn could be afforded (BR allowed more time to raise funds to purchase Quorn to Rothley). The double track from Rothley to Belgrave & Birstall was lifted along with the 'down' line from Loughborough to Rothley.
In the late 1980s the intention was announced to extend the line back to Belgrave & Birstall. The former station had been vandalised and the railway had no choice but to demolish the buildings. In 1990, a new station called Leicester North was opened a hundred yards to the south of Belgrave & Birstall. This shift in location placed the new station inside Leicester's city boundary, allowing the 'Leicester' tag to be included in the name along with unlocking extra funds to assist in construction.
[edit] North of Loughborough
At the same time as the Leicester extension, the Ministry of Defence depot at Ruddington closed, and the 4 miles of track from East Leake to Ruddington were no longer needed by BR. It was also clear that British Gypsum were unlikely to bring in any more materials by rail. The GCR Northern Development Association was formed. Work initially concentrated on restoring Rushcliffe Halt, however when Rushcliffe Borough Council agreed to lease part of the former MOD site to the association, the grand scheme of the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre was devised to encompass not only railway preservation, but any transport heritage relevant to the area.
In the 1990s, work on what had become the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd was concentrated mainly at Ruddington. The transfer of BR into Railtrack and then Network Rail hindered attempts to purchase the line. Ironically, it was British Gypsum's intentions to renew rail freight traffic that formed the catalyst that allowed the GCR(N) to buy the line and restore it initially for freight use.
At East Leake station houses were built on the former goods yard in the 1980s, and some were built only yards from the remaining track. The disused nature of the line combined with a solicitor's error led the new occupants to believe that the line was closed (BR never listed the line as closed and could have resumed operations at any time). However, when the GCR(N) applied for a Transport and Works Act Order to purchase and operate the line, objections from local residents resulted in a permanent speed restriction of 5mph through East Leake and the station remaining closed.
For Network Rail to route freight trains onto the line during the week and GCR(N) to operate heritage trains at the weekend, a length of rail north of East Leake was removed to create two separate railways. With this 'rail break' the GCR(N) were unable to access Rushcliffe Halt. A more convenient solution was found in the form of a clip on double-sided wheel scotch padlocked to the line at the site of the rail break. At weekends, the GCR(N) phone Network Rail to take possession of the line. Network Rail then lock the line out of use from their end and allow the GCR(N) to unlock the rail break and access the track to Loughborough.
In 2003 regular services to Rushcliffe Halt resumed. Passenger trains further south are limited to the second Sunday of each month as there is no station at Loughborough and the station at East Leake is closed.
[edit] The double track project
In the 1990s, David Clarke approached the railway about the issue of double tracking the line. As a signalling enthusiast, David dreamed of operating a signal box on a double track main line, and so the campaign to raise funds to double the section between Quorn and Rothley was launched, with David himself providing a large amount of the capital.
Until signalling was complete the second track was operated separately from the main track. This provided a unique opportunity for trains to "chase" each other between Quorn and Swithland.
After reaching Quorn, work moved ahead to extend the second track to Loughborough. The double track between Loughborough and Rothley opened on 1 June 2000, and for the first time on a preserved railway steam trains could pass each other at speed.
Her Majesty's Rail Inspectorate has granted powers to run private test trains at up to 60mph. Other special trains at public events run at up to 35mph. (Typically UK heritage railways are limited to a maximum speed of 25mph.)
In 2004 a new signal box at Quorn opened, the only preserved box in the UK with a double track on either side. With this new signal box a train can, in theory, be dispatched from Loughborough every 10 minutes. A further signal box at Swithland Sidings is being fitted with Great Western style signals.
Work continues on commissioning the signal box at Ruddington North Junction and development of the Heritage Centre (including a brand new station).
[edit] Route description
[edit] Loughborough to Leicester section
Loughborough Central Station grid reference SK543193 is a medium-sized station set in the 1950s and has the largest canopy in British railway preservation. The unique style of the station, being far grander than stations serving similar sized towns elsewhere, was a part of the Victorian railway 'one-up'manship that the GCR conducted with Midland Railway (who in turn even employed the same architect behind the GCR's Nottingham Victoria to rebuild their own station in that city!). The preserved station has a number of amenities, including a small museum, a refreshment room, a book and gift shop, two beautifully restored waiting rooms (which reflect their Victorian ancestry since one is a "General Waiting Room" whilst the other is a "Ladies' Waiting Room"!), and a short walk away is the Loughborough Locomotive ShedSK543198) which is open to the public.
Quorn & Woodhouse Travelling south from Loughborough, the first station that is reached is (SK549161). Here there is a large station yard which is suitable for parking, there is also disabled access through the yard (Loughborough only being accessible via stairs). Quorn is laid out to appear as it would in the 1940s, as a typical LNER station in the countryside. Quorn is the best place to watch trains pass on the double track, with the weekend timetable accommodating trains passing just north of Quorn & Woodhouse.
Just under two miles south of Quorn, the railway crosses Swithland Viaduct over Swithland Reservoir (SK558137), this is a major feature on the preserved line, with the Restaurant Car Trains both stopping here for a short scenic break halfway into their journeys.
At Swithland Sidings (SK564130) there is a freight yard and passenger loops but no station; during the 1890s it had been planned to construct a station here but after much work it was eventually decided to place it a mile to the south at Rothley. However, if you look closely between the gap in the bridges at Swithland you may be able to see a bricked up arch which would have formed the entrance to the station, the Up and Down lines also separating to provide for a standard GCR 'island' platform similar in size station to those at Quorn & Woodhouse and Rothley.
Continuing south of Swithland, we come to Rothley (SK568121). Rothley is set in the 1900s, just after completion of the line, and is representing the original Great Central Railway company. The Signalbox controlling the movements in and around Rothley is situated opposite the platform and you can sometimes see the Signalman pulling the levers before a train arrives. There is a carriage shed at Rothley, however this is not open to the public. There is also a garden railway in the station yard at Rothley, which is enthralling to both the young and old.
The double track ends at Rothley, but the line continues single-tracked to Leicester North, (SK587082), where the line terminates. Leicester North was built in the 1990s, and is just south of the site of the former Belgrave and Birstall station. The station is representative of the 1960s when the line was under control of British Railways Midland Region. At Leicester North during the summertime there is a connection to an open-topped tour bus that runs from the station to Leicester City Centre and the National Space Centre, amongst other popular tourist destinations in and around Leicester. More information on the tour bus is available at this website. [1]
[edit] Ruddington to Loughborough section
The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre is located in Ruddington (SK574323), situated on a former Ministry of Defence site off the main line. In addition to the engine shed, the visitor will find museums, a miniature railway, children's play area, cafe and gift shop as well as being surrounded by the delightful Rushcliffe Country Park.
A chord joins the Heritage Centre branch to the main line at Ruddington North Junction (often called '50 steps junction' due to a nearby footbridge), but trains have to reverse to travel south.
After passing the site of Gotham sidings and the trackbed of the Gotham branch, the first station is Rushcliffe Halt at the northern end of East Leake (SK551276), which is as far as trains normally travel. Rushcliffe Halt was a late addition to the Great Central line, opening in 1911 to serve Rushcliffe Golf Course.
East Leake (SK546262), the only surviving GCR station accessed from an underbridge rather than an overbridge, is a mile further south but this has not yet been reopened.
Continuing South the line climbs through the impressive East Leake cutting before passing through Barnstone Tunnel (SK535235), after which it descends past the former Barnstone lime quarry (which utilised the railway), over the high Stanford Viaduct (SK542216) over the River Soar, which offers fantastic views of the picturesque Stanford village and the more industrial Loughborough.
The line then approaches Loughborough across the floodplain of the River Soar on an embankment before ending at the A60 road bridge, from which a chord connects the line to the Midland Main Line (SK545204).......
[edit] Major engineering projects
There are currently a number of engineering projects underway, these include extensions south and north, and also a 1/2 mile length of line joining together the Loughborough to Leicester line, and Loughborough to Ruddington line.
[edit] The Gap
Main article: Loughborough Gap
Between the A60 and Loughborough locomotive shed is "The Gap", a section of embankment and a bridges (including a large single span over the MML) that need to be reinstated to join the two concerns together. That is a long term (and expensive!) project and in the mean time there are plans to construct a new "Loughborough North" (or "Loughborough High Level" depending on who you talk to!) station on the embankment near the A60 road bridge. This would allow easy interchange with Midland Main Line trains with trains from the GCR(N) (and later when the Gap is bridged, the Greater Great Central).[edit] Southern Extension - Beaumont Leys Lane
Recently discussion has looked at a possible extension south of Leicester North station, to a new station 1 mile away, at Beaumont Leys Lane, close to the Abbey Pumping Station, National Space Centre, and Abbey Lane Park. The extension would be single track from Leicester North, and would be for passenger use only. A run-around loop would be located at Beaumont Leys Lane, along with a single platform and station facilities.
Extending to Beaumont Leys Lane would require the demolition of part of the platform at Leicester North, and bridging Leicester Inner Ring Road and Thurcaston Road. Reinstating the line down to Beaumont Leys would be relatively straightforward, with only two viaducts, or large bridges, and a small bridge or level foot crossing for a private occupation crossing.
[edit] Loughborough Locomotive Shed Project
The current Locomotive Shed at Loughborough stands in the way of the double track main line which will eventually run through to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre. A solution was found by Tom Tighe, the GCR PLC’s Locomotive Superintendent whilst on holiday up in the lake district, he stumbled across Workington Locomotive Shed, which was shortly to be demolished. The shed was saved and funding sought from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources.
The shed was dismantled and moved piece by piece to Swithland Yard for eventual rebuilding on the site of the old Loughborough Tip.
When the Locomotive Shed is built, it will feature an 8 road shed, with 5 roads for running locomotives, and 3 roads for locomotives under restoration or overhaul. Originally it was a 10 road Shed, the other two roads will feature a mess room, offices and amenities for the Locomotive Department.
Another proposal is for a small platform adjacent to the shed for a shuttle service to be operated between Loughborough Central, the Locomotive Shed, and the proposed Loughborough High Level station.
[edit] Northern Extension - Wilford / River Trent
In a 10 year business plan published in 2004, a feasibility study was proposed into extending the line northwards from Ruddington to head towards the River Trent as it passes by Wilford village. This would be a further extension of almost two miles and would take the line within metres of the boundary of Nottingham City itself. Extension further north would be impossible since the viaduct over the river Trent was dismantled in the 1990s and the land beyond has been completely redeveloped as a new housing estate.
However, Nottingham Express Transit, who own and promote the Nottingham tramway have plans to convert the section of the line from the River Trent to Clifton Boulevard into an extension to their existing tram line (which also re-uses existing GCR structures at Station Street).
[edit] Locomotives
Locomotives marked with an asterisk (*) are not permanent residents on the Great Central Railway. Locos marked with a cross (+) appear courtesy of the National Railway Museum.
[edit] Loughborough Motive Power Depot
[edit] Steam Locomotives
[edit] British Railways Locomotives
- British Railways 4-6-2 "Britania" Standard Class 7 no. 70013 +
- British Railways 4-6-0 Class 5MT no. 73156
- British Railways 2-6-0 Class 2MT no. 78019
[edit] Great Western Railway Locomotives
- Great Western Railway 2-6-2T 5101 "Large Prairie" Class no. 4141*
- Great Western Railway 4-6-0 6959 "Modified Hall" Class no. 6990 "Witherslack Hall"
[edit] London, Midland & Scottish Railway Locomotives
- London Midland & Scottish 4-6-0 Class 5MT no 45305
- London Midland & Scottish 2-6-0 Class 2MT no. 46521
- London Midland & Scottish 0-6-0T Class 3F "Jinty" no. 47406
- London Midland & Scottish 4-8-0 Class 8F no. 48305
[edit] London & North Eastern Railway Locomotives
- London & North Eastern Railway 2-8-0 Class O4 no. 63601 +
- London & North Eastern Railway 0-6-2T Class N2 no. 69523
[edit] Southern Railway Locomotives
- Southern Railway 4-6-0 "King Arthur" Class N15 no. 30777 "Sir Lamiel" +
- Southern Railway 4-6-2 West Country Class no. 34039 "Boscastle"
- Southern Railway 4-6-2 Merchant Navy Class no. 35025 "Brocklebank Line"*
[edit] Diesel Locomotives
- British Railways 0-6-0 Class 08 no. D3101
- British Railways 0-6-0 Class 10 no. D4067
- British Railways Bo-Bo Class 20 nos. D8048 * and D8098
- British Railways Bo-Bo Class 25 nos. 25265 and D5185 (25035)
- British Railways A1A-A1A Class 31 no. D5830
- British Railways Bo-Bo Class 33 no. 33116 "Hertfordshire Rail Tours" +
- British Railways Co-Co Class 37 no. 37255 (on loan from Fragonset Railways)
- British Railways 1Co-Co1 Class 45 no. D123 "Leicester and Derbyshire Yeomanry"
- British Railways Co-Co Class 47 no. D1705 "Sparrowhawk"
- 2 industrial shunters used at Rothley Carriage & Wagon Works
[edit] Diesel Multiple Units
- British Railways Class 101 unit 50321+51427 (Set A)
- British Railways Class 101 unit 50193+50203 (Set B)
- British Railways Class 101 unit 53266 (Spare)
- British Railways Class 127/120 hybrid unit 51616+59276+51622
[edit] Electric Multiple Units
- BR Class 421 unit 1393 (Note: Can be operated in push-pull mode with BR Class 33 no. 33116)
[edit] Ruddington Motive Power Depot
[edit] Steam Locomotives
- RSH No.56
- Manning Wardle No.1762 Dolobran
- Manning Wardle No.2009
- Manning Wardle No. 2015
- S160 No.1631
- Hudswell Clarke Julia
[edit] Diesel Locomotives
[edit] Diesel Multiple Units
[edit] Electric Multiple Units
Note: this list is not complete
[edit] Supporting Bodies
Both the Great Central Railway PLC and the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) have a number of supporting bodies which are based at each individual line, the majority of these are Locomotive or Rolling Stock Groups, however there are a number of private owners who have based their stock or locomotives at the lines.
[edit] Main Line Steam Trust
Main Line Steam Trust was established in 1969 as the Main Line Preservation Group, with the intention of preserving one of two potential sections of the line, one based at Lutterworth, running from Leicester to Rugby Central, and one based at Loughborough, running between Leicester and Nottingham. The Loughborough base was chosen and work began on restoring the station, an office was rented at street level at Loughborough Central station, and in 1971 Charitable Status was granted to MLPG, who changed their name to Main Line Steam Trust Limited.
Substatial monthly payments were required to keep the formation intact between Loughborough and Belgrave & Birstall, with steam hauled services operating from Loughborough Central to Quorn & Woodhouse Station, and eventually Rothley station. Sadly the money required to purchase the line south of Rothley was not available and only the Loughborough to Rothley section of line was preserved, with the aid of Charnwood Borough Council.
The operation and the assets were transferred to the Great Central Railway (1976) Ltd. and MLST took on the role of the charitable volunteer run support body for the railway. MLST has continued to support the Great Central Railway PLC (the 1976 was eventually dropped from the title), and the various organisations around the railway. It also supports the Great Central Railway (Nottingham).
MLST have funded a great deal at the Great Central Railway, including assistance in funding the double track, Leicester Station, Quorn & Woodhouse Signalling, Swithland Signalling, Loughborough South Remodelling, and has assisted in bringing in visiting Locomotives for gala events on numerous occasions.
[edit] Great Central Railway PLC
[edit] Renaissance Railcars
Renaissance Railcars own the five Class 101 vehicles at the Great Central Railway PLC, at present only one set, known as “Set A” (affectionately also known as “The Green Goddess”), is in regular passenger use, however progress is being made on the other vehicles based at the line.
[edit] Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group
Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group, or LSLG, look after and part-own a number of Locomotives, these are BR Standard 2MT No.78019, BR Standard 5MT No.73156, BR Standard 7P6F No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell” and LMS 2MT No.46521
At present only No.78019 is in running condition and can regularly be found operating passenger trains, although the other locomotives are making progress. No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell” is part of the national collection, owned by the National Railway Museum, and is being restored by both LSLG and the 5305 Locomotive Association. LSLG also have in their care a Directors Saloon, coach no.M999504, which is on loan from EWS.
[edit] 5305 Locomotive Association
The 5305 Locomotive Association have a number of locomotives in their care, these are LMS “Black 5” No.45305 “Alderman A.E. Draper”, SR King Arthur No.777 “Sir Lamiel”, BR Class 33 D6535 “Hertfordshire Railtours”, and BR Standard 7P6F No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.
Nos.777, D6535 and 70013 are all part of the National Collection and are owned by the National Railway Museum. Recently No.777 emerged from a lengthy overhaul in British Railways Brunswick green livery, under the BR number 30777.
[edit] Railway Vehicle Preservations LTD
Railway Vehicle Preservations LTD, and their members, own a number of vehicles around the railway, these include the famous LNER Travelling Post Office set, LNER Beavertail Observation Saloon, and a number of LNER “Gresley” Teak passenger coaches.
[edit] Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre Ltd
[edit] Great Central Railway Rolling Stock Trust
The GCR-RST owns the largest single collection of pre-grouping rolling stock known to exist in the UK, including the famous 'Barnum' carriages (so named as these were the type hired by P.T. Barnum's travelling circus) and some items that even herald from the days of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln Railway - the GCR's title before completing the London extension.
[edit] Nottingham Society of Model and Experminetal Engineers
NSMEE operate a mile-long circuit of mixed-gauge miniature railway at the Heritage Centre.
[edit] How to get there
[edit] By Road
[edit] By Rail
Midland Mainline operate half-hourly services to Loughborough from London St. Pancras, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough and Leicester.
Midland Mainline also operate hourly services to Loughborough from Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Beeston, Nottingham, Long Eaton and Derby.
Central Trains serve Loughborough hourly, calling at Leicester, Syston, Sileby, Barrow-upon-Soar and Nottingham, selected services continue to Lincoln.
The summary above is for Saturdays only.
Timetables are available from
[edit] By Air
Nottingham East Midlands Airport is situated around 30 minutes drive away from Loughborough Central Railway Station, and has both domestic and international flights, the Airport is linked to Loughborough Town Centre and Loughborough (Midland) Railway Station by a half-hourly shuttle bus which is suitable for buggys and the disabled.
[edit] External links
- Homepage of preserved Great Central Railway in Leicestershire.
- Main Line Steam Trust, the GCR's charitable body.
- Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre.
- BBC site with stuff.
- "Bridging the Gap" - The project to reinstate the missing embankment and bridge.
- Photographic Gallery containing photographs of the present day Great Central Railway.
