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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE

MainLine Issue 164 | Autumn 2015

£3.00

In this issue:

Main Line

Woodford Gala Rothley Station

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Forthcoming Events on the GCR

A programme of seasonal festivities on the GCR September

5th & 6th - Diesel Gala Clock up the miles behind our classic diesel traction.

11th - Murder Mystery Dining - Full Stop Murder 12th & 13th - Sci Fi Weekend A weekend for the weird and wonderful world of Science Fiction.

31st - Halloween Steam & Scream Watch out for those Ghostliest and Ghoulish spectres in a steam laden atmosphere

November

5th - Bonfire Night Take the train to the GCR’s spectacular bonfire and fireworks display at Quorn & Woodhouse 21st & 22nd - Last Hurrah of the Season The last steam gala of the year. Join in the fun of an intensive steam service

13th - Swap Meet Be early at Quorn & Woodhouse to grab that bargain

21st & 22nd - Greenacres Christmas Fayre All the fun of the fayre at our southern terminus

17th to 20th - Beer Festival More than 40 beers and ciders to tempt the palate

21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th - Christmas Jubilee Luncheon

18th - Pullman Wine Tasting Evening

21st & 28th - Christmas Forester Diner

19th & 20th - End of Season Steam Engine and Classic Vehicle Weekend All the fun of the steam powered fare with road and rail vehicles

28th & 29th - Santa Steam Trains Bring the children along to meet Santa and get the presents to put under the tree

25th - Murder Mystery Dining - The Last Connection

5th & 6th, 9th, 12th & 13th, 16th, 19th to 24th Santa Steam Trains Santa and Santa Deluxe trains to bring the Christmas joy to the children and all the family.

Presents for the children and seasonal refreshments for the adults

October

1st to 4th - Autumn Steam Gala The GCR’s spectacular gala with visiting and home fleet locomotives on passenger, goods, Windcutter and TPO trains 9th Murder Mystery Dining - Awayday to Murder 17th - Real Ale Train A chance to enjoy that steam powered pint 23rd - Murder Mystery Dining - The Going is Fatal

December

5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th & 20th - Christmas Jubilee Luncheon 5th, 12th & 19th - Christmas Forester Diner 25th - Christmas Day Feast 26th - Boxing Day Luncheon 31st - News Year’s Eve Celebration

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL General Enquiries Telephone: Loughborough (01509) 632 323 Fax: Loughborough (01509) 632 366 Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk email: sales@gcrailway.co.uk 2 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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ISSUE 164 AUTUMN 2015 ISSN 0264-7028

MainLine From the Chairman Contents From the Chairman Editorial From the Managing Director Main Line – Bridging the Nation Bridge to the Future Bridge 328 Demolition Stations Report Carriage & Wagon Chronicle PWay Progress Mountsorrel Branch GCR Class 2 No.567 Steam Locomotive News Woodford Gala Wartime Weekend S&T Report Diesel Locomotive News Full Steam Ahead at Greenacres LLPS Photo Competition Winners Missing Shoes Rothley Station Book Review News from the Line Area Group News Through the Letterbox

4 6 7 10 12 19 21 32 39 41 45 47 55 58 61 64 69 70 72 76 80 82 91 93

Andy Fillingham, Chairman, Friends of the Great Central Main Line It is really pleasing to be able to write that the Friends Spring Raffle raised over £12,000! These funds will be equally split between the Boscastle overhaul fund and the Bridge to the Future Appeal. A good result, so I thank all the very kind people who donated prizes and especially those who bought tickets! The amounts raised really do help and some of the prizes are things that money cannot buy so overall, a success!

The busy June Gala programme passed off very successfully and, apart from some heavy rain on the Saturday of the Woodford Commemoration event, enjoyed good weather. I very much appreciate that these events are very labour intensive so may I pass my thanks to all those who helped support the events and I hope that despite the hard work, you enjoyed yourselves! Our Railway needs these events to be as productive as they can be – running any Heritage Railway is financially challenging, so doing so on as strong a commercial basis as possible is extremely important, because if we are not strong in this area, we will not be able to finance all the things we want or some cases, need to invest in.

Our next major event is also our biggest – the Autumn Steam Gala, between 1st and 4th October, 2015. Please all make a note in your

FRONT COVER: GWR 4-6-0 No6990 “Witherslack Hall” in steam on 4th August, 2015. TREVOR FELTHAM FRONT COVER INSET: A view of the proposed museum at Leicester North. PURCELL MAIN PHOTO: GWR Modified Hall No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” in steam at Loughborough on 6th August, 2015.

ANDY BENNETT CENTRESPREAD: No.92220 “Evening Star” aka No.92214 takes the Capitals United Express out of Loughborough Central on 18th April, 2015. STEVE BOTTRILL REAR COVER: 24th June, 2015 and the Windcutter makes its stately way from Quorn & Woodhouse to Loughborough Central. GRAHAM WIGNALL ©2015. Published on 1st September, 2015 by Friends of the Great Central Main Line, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends Printed in England by Berforts Information Press, Eynsham, OX29 4JB. Tel: 01865 882 588 4 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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diaries to visit, as it promises to be as special as ever with the newly completed No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” heading the cast!

As you will probably read elsewhere in this issue of Main Line, at long last, some, if not all, of the RVP’s wooden carriage collection are safely out of the elements and in their new accommodation at Swithland (a perfect example of the ongoing investment we continually need!). This is a significant milestone for the preservation of these precious vehicles and will mean that all of the expense and hard work restoring the vehicles is not undone by the weather. RVP’s own raffle, raising funds for the complete restoration of one of these carriages is ongoing, so if you haven’t sent your tickets back, please dig them out!

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Both the GCR plc and the Friends of the Great Central Main Line AGM’s were well attended and all required business completed. Regrettably at the Friends AGM, we had to announce small increases in some of our subscription rates (not Junior or Family), the first for several years and a result of ever increasing printing and postal charges. We are really sorry to have to do this and have limited the increases, which come into effect on 1st January 2016, to just £2 per year. We try to keep our administration costs as low as possible and you, our members, can help by renewing your membership on time (or even better, completing a Direct Debit mandate) and ensuring we have an up to date e-mail address for our records so that we can send reminders and any other correspondence directly to you.

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Finally, a plea from the Booking Offices. Would you please ensure whenever you present your membership card at the window, it is in date, signed and has a photograph. It would be much appreciated and will speed things up!

Thank you and hope to see as many of you as possible at the Autumn Gala – can’t wait!

Rothley Station

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MainLine is published quarterly on the first day of March, June, September and December Main Line promotes, reports and disseminates information on the past, present and future activities and plans of the Great Central Railway from Leicester North to Ruddington. It provides an informative, educational, entertaining medium and discussion forum on all related issues FOGCML: Members receive Main Line and ensure the continued development of the Great Central Railway.

Please encourage a friend to join.

MAGAZINE INFORMATION: Each quarter 5000 copies are distributed to members and sold to the general public at the Railway’s and Ian Allan shops.

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kay Binder, George Green, Steve Johns, Michael Stevens, Nigel Smith, Dennis Wilcock EDITORIAL ADDRESS: North Cottage, Newton on Rawcliffe, Pickering, YO18 8QA. Tel: 01751 477 012 Email: dennis.wilcock@gmail.com ADVERTISING RATES: Advertisements on colour pages carry a 50% premium. Small advertisements are charged at 25p per word (minimum 20 words). Advertising space must be booked and paid for 2 months prior to publication. Orders, copy & artwork and cheques (payable to FOGCML) should be sent to the editorial address above.

SIZE PER ISSUE PER YEAR (4 ISSUES) Full Page £90.00 £324.00 Half Page £45.00 £162.00 Third Page £30.00 £108.00 Quarter Page £22.50 £81.00 ARTICLES, LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: The editors welcome items of relevance to the Great Central Railway. Articles should be in Word Format and submitted by email or on disc. Letters should be brief and include the membership number. The editors reserve the right to edit material for clarity and length. Digital images, in colour, should have a minimum file size of 1Mb. Individual photographs may be sent by email.

Multiple images should be sent on disc or via the ftp website www.wetransfer.com. Please include your name and caption details. Photographs may be used on the web sites or other publications of the FOGCML or any of the GCR companies. Photographers must comply with access restrictions on the GCR. If material is to be returned please enclose a SAE. COPY DATE FOR MAIN LINE No.165 2nd November, 2015 The opinions and views expressed in Main Line are not to be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the editors, Friends of the Great Central Main Line or any other company associated with the Great Central Railway. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services provided by the advertisers in Main Line can be accepted by the editors or Friends of the Great Central Main Line.

From the Editor Dennis Wilcock The last quarter has been filled with some very good news and some not so good.

The announcement that the GCR had been allocated a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant of £10M towards the provision of a World Class museum at Leicester North is the most fantastic news the Railway has had in its 40 year existence. There is a great deal of work to do to finalise the deal but the museum will revolutionise the railway.

The less good news is a result of the fall-out from the Government’s decision on 25th June, 2015 to “pause” the electrification of the Midland Main Line. Allied to the announcement of a series of “speed improvement works” along the line one hopes that these are not euphemisms for the cancellation of the electrification.

In this issue we can view the removal of the original Bridge 328 in 1980 to make way for electrification!

Clearly Network Rail were thrown into confusion at the announcement with many outstanding issues relating to contracts let or not let, whether staff still have a job and so on. The GCR’s bridge over the Midland Main Line was the least of their worries.

However, subsequent meetings have confirmed a commitment to the project on all sides although delays and increased costs will now inevitably occur.

Better news of the VIP opening of the Mountsorrel Branch on 24th October, 2015 and public trains on that and the following day. This is tinged with disappointment that this is not yet the start of regular running.

In this issue we can look at the very successful GCR galas and take a trip back to the 40 year provision of passenger services to Rothley station on the preserved line. Even further back there is an illustration of the original GCR’s parcels work with the incident of the Missing Shoes. Unfortunately pressure of space has meant that two following articles on the GCR’s parcels traffic have had to be held over once again. Even more articles have had to be held over but there is plenty in store for subsequent issues.

Enjoy the read!

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From the Managing Director of the GCR Bill Ford reveals the performance and plans of the Great Central Railway plc It has been an exceptionally busy three months and once again I nearly missed the editor’s production date! There is much to report commencing with the AGM on 27th June, 2015. There was an excellent attendance with a re-arranged room layout which was much better for all concerned. Tom Ingall gave an exceptional presentation. We showed a slightly increased audited profit from £10,296 to £12,273.

The net profit was achieved with revenue grants from DCRT. The Board do not see a way of running at a trading profit without the support from the Charitable Trust for the foreseeable future. The money raised from all quarters since 2008 now amounts to £8.033m which has gone into the restructuring of the assets and includes money raised for the Reunification. Growth remains the key issue and as reported in the last issue turnover moved up from £2.91M to £3.31M inclusive of revenue grants.

It is worth pointing out that the adjustments expected to be made by the auditors were not forthcoming and Caroline Pollard’s (GCR plc Company Secretary) original figures were endorsed. Our auditors expressed their overall satisfaction and monthly accounts are now produced within the first ten working days of the following month. It used to take four and a half months, which of course meant little in the way of possible management control. So far in the first five months there is a continued improvement, but there are some clouds on the horizon. To date this year we have had no filming and very little testing and unless this changes there will be significant losses which are beyond management control.

One of the exciting pieces of news is that No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” is very near to completion at a cost of some £400k all funded by one of our

major stakeholders. A fire was lit on 29th July, 2015 which produced a number of small but expected faults which are in the process of being rectified. No.6990 looks absolutely superb, is fully lined and we hope will take pride of place at the Autumn Gala, following several weeks of testing. It has been a mammoth task with a succession of problems being uncovered as progress was made. The final straw was when replacing the steam pipes one cracked and it has been an incredible problem for Craig Stinchcombe and his team to source the correct steel. What it shows is that as we continue with restoration after the end of the ten year ticket the costs rise steeply and availability of some parts becomes more difficult. A number of items were stolen, including most of the window frames which had to be cast. Many other valuable items were stolen and again expensive to replace and difficult to obtain.

One of our major safety nets is that all engines under contract, including our own, are charged for each steaming and ring fenced with the money in the account. As an example there is already £60k in the account of 9F No.92214. Obviously to rectify mistakes of the past, when an engine comes out of ticket there should be enough money for a full restoration and it is our belief that we are still one of the very few Heritage Railways to insist on this happening.

Due to the excellent fundraising campaign which has now reached £950,000 for the Bridge to the Future Appeal, it has meant that the purchase of shares has declined in a serious way, so coupled to the points above we will struggle with our profit and loss for this year’s accounts. Members of Friends as well as shareholders are encouraged to help as much as possible and this is still an area that is hugely disappointing and I urge you to consider helping. We do get some excellent share purchases including a few well in excess of £1,000. This is your railway and I am one of its servants who remain unpaid and yet I still contribute £110 per month as a demonstration of MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 7

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my commitment. At the moment I have 210,000 shares all of which will go into DCRT which in turn strengthens our overall ability and allows decisions to be made totally supported by our Charity.

The second year on staging the model railway weekend at Quorn & Woodhouse produced a profit, although the margin was very low. The feedback has been simply magnificent and it has been decided to continue for next year. What was a three year plan for growth has been extended to five years. It is a unique part of our events with large locomotives outside the huge marquee and easy access to free train rides as part of the ticket.

The impact on other sections has been great and our partners Soar Valley Model Railway Club have been magnificent and it is good to be able to make serious donations to their funds. It took a great deal of work and cooperation between Kate Tilley, Michael Stokes and their team with Soar Valley which has been excellent, masterminded by inputs from Richard Patching as General Manager and many others who assisted. An excellent example of teamwork.

There has been much talk in the press about the “pause” in the Electrification Programme on the Midland Main Line. There have been major changes within the structure of Network Rail and undoubtedly there are more on the way. The Electrification Programme has little overall effect on the bridge project and Network Rail senior management are very much on side with Great Central Railway and this has been reported in the press. There may be a small delay due to the cancellation of the A60 road bridge works at Loughborough Midland but this basically affects the operation with regard to the use of 100 ton + cranes where we have to fund rather than share it with Network Rail but this is not in any way a show stopper and we are working to the same schedule.

We expect final figures on the Bridge to be presented in the coming week and we can then decide our order of priorities. We still fully expect initial work to commence in the autumn and once this starts we will plan more fund raising to continue with the other bridges, track, signalling and the specification for the 500 metres of

embankment. As reported we also have £1 million from the LLEP of which the first £0.5 million is available in the current financial year.

There is an incredible amount of work that has already been put into the project and there is much more to come but we will keep you fully updated as progress develops.

Passengers on the railway will have been aware of the speed restrictions over Swithland Viaduct.

We have now commissioned, through our project managers FJD, repairs to bridge 350, the wrought iron section of the Swithland Viaduct. We now have a full schedule of necessary repairs with a figure of between £220k and £280k for the remedial work which will be carried out by Taziker Industrial (TI) who have vast experience on bridge repairs working closely with Network Rail. Once again we are incredibly fortunate in that the whole of this is being funded by one particularly generous stakeholder. It is estimated that work will commence in early September, 2015 with an initial completion date of the end of October, depending on weather. David Howdle is project managing the repairs dealing with FJD and TI. By far the most expensive item is the pontoon from which scaffolding will reach the bridge. Severn Trent has given permission for this work, the cost of the pontoon with its assembly, installation and removal being projected at £72k, whilst the painting, which is a serious problem as there are heavy deposits of lead in the paint and this has to be removed, bagged and prevented from falling in the water. The cost of these two items amounts to £150k with the steel work accounting for the difference to somewhere between £220k and £280K. This contingency is for items which may well be found once the rust and debris has been removed. The track will not be closed for more than two to three non-working days at a time and will therefore not seriously affect any closure of the line.

Now the museum! As you know we were awarded £10 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is a first at that figure in Leicestershire. Basically, we have 18 months to move from concept through planning permission, architectural design and all the many other bridges that have to be crossed. In the meantime we are expecting to get the first £494k to fund the

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initial work and I have just agreed that we have in our account the required £323k for match funding. There is much to do at all levels and the whole project is being directed by Lili Tabiner.

We will work closely with the HLF and our partners, Leicester City Council and the National Railway Museum. At a recent meeting with the leader of Leicestershire County Council it has been agreed between the existing partners that the leader, Nick Rushton, will join the project board which will consist of one person from each of the partners. All of them have been extremely supportive and it is our belief that we have a very strong team working together to achieve what will become a major tourist centre to Leicester combined with the Richard III exhibition, the Space Centre, the Abbey Pumping Station and others. At a meeting recently headed by the Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, he pointed out to guests that in the first eighteen months since Richard III hit the headlines there has been an inflow to the tune of £27 million in that period. Our forecast for the museum and the eighteen miles is £39 million, which we believe to be an understatement of the opportunities presented.

Finally, but by no means least, we are working for the opening of the Mountsorrel Branch Line on 24th October, 2015. Guest lists will go out for that weekend and as you know our original intention was to have the Countess of Lanesborough coming down from Kelso who was really looking forward to renewing her long association with Swithland Hall and the Earl of Lanesborough. Unfortunately as reported in the last Main Line the Countess passed away on 5th March, 2015, which finally breaks the tie with the Lanesborough family who, under the Earl of Lanesborough’s guiding hand, was the first President even before we went public in 1976. To our great fortune, Lord Richard Faulkner has kindly accepted the invitation to carry out the opening and we expect a strong invited guest list.

Graham Bannister and his team from S&T are working wonders in getting the ground frame and track installation ready and this is on schedule. It will make a unique addition to the only Main Line heritage railway with its own branch line - a stunning achievement by Steve Cramp and his team. If you haven’t yet visited Mountsorrel may I suggest you do so. It is an incredible sight and

a tribute to cooperation. The branch line is now under the lease of GCR plc in exchange for the Swithland Carriage shed, which is leased to RVP. There have been some unfortunate delays at Swithland, but at long last the roads into the carriage shed are in sight of completion and we intend to continue working closely with the management of RVP. It has not been an easy path to tread, but it is the Board’s belief that we are on the right track – if you will excuse the pun!

It remains, as always for me, on behalf of the Board, to thank all concerned. It is not easy to run an expanding Heritage Railway with a combination of volunteers and paid workers.

With Richard Patching and myself being entirely on a volunteer basis, we do understand the problems from both sides and need management cooperation to continue and develop with a combination of Friends, shareholders, an operating company backed by the total support of DCRT, our Charitable Trust. We already have a unique combination without committee management which allows us to move forward and to work on raising money to complete the goal. We are now in the second half of 2015 and we still wish to see both the reunification between GCR plc and GCR(N) and the opening of the museum in 2020. That may seem a long way away, but it is less than 5 years and in that time we have to raise another £10 million. With £8 million in the bag and work soon to commence that will pass quickly and with cooperation and understanding we will become, not the 12th best railway in the world, but certainly in the top three!

By this time I will take early retirement!!

Forward together.

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Dennis Wilcock reports.

20th May, 2015 was a Red Letter day for the Great Central Railway as the Heritage Lottery Fund announced that it had earmarked £10M towards the GCR’s world class museum to be built at Leicester North. The initial award of £495,000 will allow the project to be developed into a deliverable state with final plans to be submitted to HLF within two years.

Completion is then expected in 2019.

The building will have floor to ceiling windows.

Views of trains at the adjacent station will provide a dramatic context for the exhibits. Personal histories and small objects will interpret the railways’ role in everyday life and how they transformed the city and people’s lives.

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“We are thrilled by the support from the Heritage Lottery Fund” said Bill Ford. “Main Line will combine our award winning double track main line railway with a unique collection of priceless locomotives and objects, preserving them for future generations. The museum will not only tell railway stories, but will aim to engage people with their own history, so they are inspired to be heritage champions in future.

With the tremendous support of our partners,

Leicester City Council and the National Railway Museum, we will build a facility unique in the railway world.”

Visitors to the museum will experience the arrival and departure of trains into the new Leicester North station with only an intervening glass wall between them and the giants of steam. In this way the museum and the working railway will be integrated as one.

The new museum set in its context.

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Main Line will be built on the footprint of the existing Leicester North station within the City of Leicester. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We are creating an exciting new visitor attraction that will preserve and showcase the city’s rich railway heritage, while creating important new jobs. Main Line will house items which are of both national importance and local interest, complementing the nearby National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station and helping to enhance Leicester’s reputation as a visitor destination. We’re extremely proud to be part of this partnership and delighted by the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is another clear vote of confidence in the city.”

Much work has been undertaken to make the best use of space with the site bounded on the west by the golf course and on the east by the allotments.

Collaboration with all concerned has ensured the best outcome.

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The location of the museum and the existing Leicester North station.

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Sir Peter Soulsby, LCC, Bill Ford, GCR and Paul Kirkman, NRM sign the agreement to proceed on 22nd November, 2013.

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The gestation of the museum project has gone on behind closed doors for several years. This culminated in the signing of an agreement between the GCR, City of Leicester and the National Railway Museum, on 22nd November, 2013, to proceed with the project and submit a grant application to HLF. Focus Consultants where then appointed as project managers, Purcell as architects and Event Communications as exhibition designers. All worked together with the three museum partners to evolve to objectives, concepts, initial design ideas and the involvement of local community groups within the project.

Many building and exhibition designs were considered, all retaining the objective of providing a unique experience by combining a museum with a working main line railway.

An initial submission to the HLF did not achieve the sought for success but encouragement to re-apply spurred on the partners and a new submission was made in December, 2014 resulting in the successful conclusion on 20th May, 2015.

he on.

An initial plan by Tony Sparks

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Much work now needs to be done.

Detailed design of the building, the exhibitions, the new station and how the museum will tell the story of railways and involve local people and community groups will have to be submitted to HLF. MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 13

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Atul Patel (Heritage Lottery Fund Trustee), Sir Peter Soulsby (Mayor of Leicester City), Bill Ford (Managing Director of the Great Central Railway, plc), Nick Rushton (Leader of Leicestershire County Council) and Bill Woolley (Member of the Advisory Board of the National Railway Museum) at the announcement of the HLF Grant on 20th May, 2015.

The major exhibitions will come will come from the National Railway Museum at York. Like the building itself final decisions will be made as the designs of the building and its layout progress. Exhibits will be of those vehicles that will benefit from sheltered accommodation and we know that a Barnum coach will be part of a restoration project in the museum. It is probable that some ten locomotives representing a wide period range will be present along with coaches and wagons. Many small exhibits will also illustrate the very local and wide influence of the railways.

Some of the exhibits planned for the museum 14 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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The exhibits and the way they are displayed will engage the visitors in an active way. The adjacent working steam locomotives at the new Leicester North station will greatly add to this experience. But the museum will not just tell the story of the Great Central Railway.

Leicester was a pioneer amongst railways with the Leicester to Swannington Railway opening in 1832 and the first railway excursion, pioneered by Thomas Cook,

in 1841. Also came the Great Northern Railway at Belgrave Road and the only survivor, the Midland Railway, on London Road.

The railways allowed raw materials to be delivered to the city and manufactured goods distributed from the city. The influence reached all parts of the UK and the world. This will be reflected in the museum with the involvement of people from all sections of the community.

As well as some 300 people being involved in the construction phase nine permanent jobs will be created in the museum. But the impact will be even wider as many more visitors will come to Leicester to engage with the hotel trade and other businesses generating some £37M annually for the area.

In the museum there will be many more roles for volunteers and for local groups to become involved and tell their stories.

The GCR will benefit as well with an anticipated 49,000 additional passengers on the railway itself.

Considerable developments on the railway will need to be made to take maximum advantage of the museum.

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Initial schemes for the exhibits with the unique glass wall adjacent to the new Leicester North station.

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Bridgeto theFuture Life gives and takes in equal measure. On the one hand we have a landmark moment for the Greater Great Central - but on the other a testing time for reunification. Tom Ingall reports.

The announcement of the Heritage Lottery Funding to develop the Leicester North museum project with the City Council and the National Railway Museum, means the vision of an eighteen mile railway with a string of attractions along its length is within grasp. The twin anchors of the transport collection at Ruddington and a vibrant railway museum at the southern terminus have the potential to re-invigorate our tourist appeal. However, we still have to fill the gap between us and in particular, install a bridge over the Midland Main Line, which is fast becoming the longest thirty metres of our lives.

When the Bridge to the Future initiative was conceived in 2013, the plan was always to piggyback the construction of our structure onto the work to electrify the Midland line. At the end of June, 2015 however, the government took the decision to 'pause' this work, so Network Rail could focus its energy on the Great Western Main Line. This fundamentally changed the nature of our agreement with Network Rail. In a nutshell, the possessions we had hoped to do

our work in (specifically while work was going on to the adjacent A60 road bridge over the end of Loughborough Midland station) were placed in doubt. Equally, the savings we had expected through sharing contractors compounds and equipment were no longer available. This was not a good position for us or Network Rail.

However, what is important to stress is that following a constructive meeting in early July (with Bill Ford, Nigel Harris and Lili Tabiner expertly representing our interest) we still have a project. The design work is complete and fully approved ready for construction. We own it - and therefore have some flexibility as to how we take it forward. Understandably, once the electrification news had been absorbed questions began to be asked about how the bridge project would be affected. Together with Network Rail a joint press release was issued.

Richard Walker, Route Delivery Director of Network Rail said "We are understandably disappointed that electrification has been paused but in every challenge lies the seed of opportunity. We now have additional time to review the way in which the bridge works at Great Central Railway are delivered. Our commitment to supporting GCR remains unchanged: we have already had huge success

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by engaging with local schools and inspiring the engineers of tomorrow and we look forward to continuing that throughout the project."

Encouraging words. In addition, Network Rail staff continue to volunteer time through the development stage.

Once again the press deadline for the magazine has come around before all the answers are to hand. The bridge will not be installed this Christmas, but possibly during 2016. The loss of the piggyback style of working will also be felt in the ultimate price. Very likely we’ll have to pay more. We are so close to the million pound appeal target that it is certainly frustrating to move the goal posts but we'll have to take another deep breath and be pragmatic about it.

Rest assured, when we have the answers we'll share them with you.

Meanwhile great strides are being made along the rest of the reunification scheme. For the first time detailed impressions of the completed works are available to show you. You might

remember many years ago the railway produced a short promotion video about ‘Bridging the Gap’. The centrepiece was a computer model of a train traversing the line from the A60 bridge to the canal bridge. A decade later, the computer model from which the pictures that run alongside this article are taken, is much more precise. It’s built from real data and illustrates the true vertical and horizontal alignment of the proposed line and how it relates to the buildings and ground conditions around it. You’ll note the two bridge decks recovered from Reading are expected to be used to cross Railway Terrace and take the GCR over part of the Preci-Spark car park. Concrete arches are proposed either side of these bridges, to connect them to the Midland Main Line structure and the main embankment respectively. There is a real engineering choice here. It means we can have less impact on PreciSpark. It means where the northern tip of the main embankment will be, we no longer need a high (and expensive) retaining wall. Discussions have been opened with potential suppliers of

The two Reading spans in use to cross Railway Terrace (in the foreground) and the Preci-Spark car park. The Midland Main Line is in the distance. Concrete arches complete the structure.

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An overall view looking north with Railway Terrace in the foreground.

Beyond is the bridge over the Midland Main Line and beyond that the existing chord joining that line to GCR(N) metals.

the arches. At the same time the required footprint for the main embankment has been established. This means we can also work out how steep its sides need to be, how much material might be needed, where that might come from and how we’ll build it!

All this tremendous work has been carried out by our project managers FJD. Besides providing inspiring images it is the basis for their project brief document. This will be issued to companies who wish to tender to complete the detailed technical design of the remaining elements. It will also be the main plank of our planning submission for reunification, which is expected to be made within the next few months.

A very strong response to our stand at recent GCR events, not to mention the new Standing Orders being taken out, has seen our fundraising appeal reach a whopping nine hundred and fifty thousand pounds. As always, thank you so much for the contribution you have made. In the north, in the south – and frankly at all four points of the compass nationwide, the interest remains strong. We are fortunate to be promoting one of those schemes that so many people would like to see completed. Across the two halves of the GCR there are so many good people spreading

the word and raising the money. Without you, we wouldn’t be so far advanced. Like you, I desperately want to see a spade in the ground now. It will happen, we will find a way as soon as we can and we will make our unique Main Line even more remarkable.

To donate to the appeal, please send a cheque payable to The David Clarke Railway Trust to Bridge Appeal, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL Donations can also be made online at www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify

Bridgeto theFuture

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Going, Going, Gone! (but coming back!)

Mick Carr captured the demolition of Bridge 328 over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough

Demolition of Bridge 328 in progress on 20th April, 1980 to prepare for electrification of the Midland Main Line! 35 years later, with the “pause” in the current project, we are still waiting.

The replacement bridge will still go ahead though.

Above: The view from the west side at the end of the platforms on Loughborough Midland. The south span and the Down GCR spans have already gone leaving the Up spans clearly visible. The demolition train occupies the two slow lines of the Midland Main Line and Toton’s steam crane, ADRC 95221, is in action lifting the severed girders onto the waiting wagons.

Two Class 20s attend the trains.

Below: With the south span completely gone the steam crane prepares to lift the remaining girders from the Up side of the GCR north span.

re

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Above: The view of the demolition from the east side. In the foreground is the Hermitage Brook which, like all benign looking brooks, can change into a raging torrent and has caused flooding in Loughborough particularly when the Great Central Railway embankment was removed south of Railway Terrace. Over the brook is the rather large bridge carrying the four tracks of the Midland Main Line and beyond, the chord from that line onto what is now GCR(N) metals. To the left beyond Bridge 328 is the Brush works.

Below: A Class 20 takes away the girders from Bridge 328. In the background is the sign advertising the presence of the chord which allowed traffic to reach the gypsum works at East Leake and the MoD Depot at Ruddington.

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Stations Report Leicester North Brian Rowe Once again I was nearly caught on the hop with this Station Report.

How quickly time passes!

Since the last report, the annual 1940s weekend has been and gone, and Bruce Smith, our senior stationmaster, reports that the Wartime Weekend was very good this year, with ticket sales and buffet takings up over last year. A Leicester North station volunteers on 20th May, 2015. lot of good feed-back about the GRAHAM WIGNALL event was received. A week after the event, one passenger said, “The Wartime job with such a steep incline. The bushes on that Weekend gets better each year”. He and his family side of the station have also been cut to shape had returned again but on this occasion took their giving the area a much better appearance. time to have a good look round without having Progress is now being made with the painting jobs, to rush. thanks to our new volunteer John Bozzoni.

Bruce continued, “I would like to take this opportunity to say a big 'Thank You' to the German Re-enactment Group PANZER LEHR who, once again, were our guests. Also to all the staff of Leicester North station and, indeed, this goes for the staff of all the other stations along the line. Saturday and Sunday can be a long hard slog during this event and this also applies to the three day Model Event that took place recently along the line.”

On the staff front it can be reported that Nick Mellor has now passed out as a porter and a hearty welcome is extended to new volunteers, Charles Coran and Jonathan Williams.

Mike Dunk, our maintenance team leader, reports that work carried out by the Wednesday maintenance team continues with the usual mowing and strimming. The embankment past the old signalbox site, which has had such a lovely display of Daisies, has now been strimmed

by Charlie Blewitt and Dan James - not an easy

Flower beds continue to need attention and this chore is not helped by the extremes of weather.

We are grateful for the compliments we receive from our visitors, as to the way we look after the station area in general.

One of the platform seats required a repair and some of the station lamps also need attention.

Always plenty to do at Leicester North!

At the time of writing this Report, the Teddy Bears Holiday Express week-long event is in progress so will be reported on in the next Main Line.

To conclude, we can announce that our station now boasts a platform clock which enhances even more our environment by providing that finishing touch and for which grateful thanks are extended to Steve Rowston, Martin Wilkinson and Vic Clarke, all of whom were involved in its installation.

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BRICKYARD MODELS <MODEL RAILWAYS> <BOUGHT AND SOLD> RESPRAYS AND RENUMBERING, LOCOS, COACHES, WAGONS WEATHERING REPAIRS AND SPARES Tel: 01636 689 963 Mobile: 07967 956 683 roger.garrett2@virginmedia.com Richard Moore of Rothley’s Thursday Gang prepares one of the station lamp posts for painting on 23rd July, 2015. DENNIS WILCOCK

Rothley Colin Dean, Stationmaster I think we have now recovered from the onslaught of the three big events that happen in June, 2015.

Firstly, we were invaded by the Germans for the Wartime Weekend event. This is always interesting and is an event I look forward to. The weather was kind to us and I think we sold every ice cream and can of pop we had! Additionally our bar served over 500 bottles of German beer; including 16 crates of Luffbrau brewed in nearby Hathern ….which seemed to go down quite well.

After the German invasion we had the Woodford weekend and then the Model Railway event both of which again brought vast numbers of people to the railway. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Rothley who all pulled together to ensure we had all the jobs covered on these weekends.

Frequent visitors to Rothley may have noticed the outline of something which was once fixed to the wall of the Booking Office in the distant past.

The mysterious outline was that of a Nestlés

*We also stock a Wide Range of Tractors and Farm Implements* chocolate machine which Madge Sleath, a porter at the station during the First World War, recalled in an interview. These machines seem to have been on most stations in their day, dispensing a penny bar of chocolate. Having seen a photograph of an identical machine, Mick Townsend of the Thursday Gang took up the challenge of making a wooden replica for the station. In the coming weeks several photographs were collected from a number of locations including the National Railway Museum, Kirkby Stephen, and Woody Bay Station on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway and all proved useful as Mick drew up plans for the static replica. It was decided that the lettering on the machine needed to be raised to give the appearance of the originals. A specialist laser cutting company in Cheltenham were a little surprised when asked to quote for a small job for a chocolate machine but their equipment allowed the 27 different small shapes to be cut from thin 3mm wood. The base for the machine was salvaged from an ornate post box and whilst not being accurate, more than adequately does the job.

I like to say a big thank you to Mick who spent many hours completing this wonderful replica.

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Leicestershire Area Group - Members Evenings Come along and enjoy an excellent series of presentations on railways The first Meeting of the 2015-2016 Season is as follows:

11th

Friday September This is a double-headed programme presented by David Mitchell which features scenes from this delightful island‛s historic transport on rail and then includes a selection from his extensive collection of photographs taken during the final decade of working steam on British Railways.

All meetings are held at St. Bartholomews Church Hall, Church Lane, Quorn, near Loughborough, LE12 8DP commencing at 7.30pm on the Second Friday of the month from September to March inclusive Refreshments should be available during the interval. Admission is free, although a collection is held to defray costs. Any surplus is used to fund various projects on the GCR

For further information contact John Calton on 0116 267 6909, Keith Satterly on 0116 253 0990 or Peter Hack on 01509 261 094

Everyone is welcome

Numerous other jobs have been undertaken as well by the Thursday Gang including the annual white line re-paint which is a daunting task when you stand at one end of the platform with a mass of slab edges to paint stretching into the distance!

Another well overdue job has been to re-paint the lampposts. These are the original lampposts for

the station. The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed the one by the foot crossing is a different pattern. This was salvaged from Belgrave & Birstall station and is the pattern used at Leicester Central. Apparently there was some spare so they were used at Birstall….I’m not sure how true this is!

In the main growing season Alan Smith has been kept busy with the strimming and general tidying around the station. Interestingly, the bank on the west side of the Booking Office was left a little longer this year and resulted in a spectacular display of wild flowers. On the note of flowers, I also like to thank Roy and Ruth Emmett for their hard work in ensuring the station had a great display of flowers.

At the end of July, 2015, the annual Rothley Station Barbecue took place in the picnic area outside Ellis’s Tea Rooms. The event was well attended and provided a good opportunity for all the station volunteers to get together which is something that doesn’t happen that often. The sun shone and everyone had a good evening.

Another member of the Thursday Gang, Mick Townsend, applies the white lining to the Nestlés Chocolate machine that he has constructed.

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The real feeling of a country station on display at Quorn & Woodhouse on 11th July, 2015.

CLIVE HANLEY

with the new picket fence barriers at the foot of the stairs being put to good use in directing passengers straight to the Booking Office window. The Tin Shed has become such a useful asset for events but it looked very strange indeed when it was in the middle of the model event marquee.

We’re currently trying to organise getting the stairway arcade re-painted and also some work done to install cappings onto the canopy.

Hopefully more on these next time!

Quorn & Woodhouse Richard Bruce, Senior Stationmaster

When it is so busy the mundane tasks like emptying litter bins, re-stocking ticket racks, cleaning toilets (if you can get to them) and washing-up in the NAAFI become crucial to the running of the station and the visitors’ enjoyment; I’m pleased to report that the station team rallied round and we managed to fill an astonishing 90 volunteer turns at the station during June - more than double for a normal month!

Quorn & Woodhouse station and its volunteers have just about recovered from an exceptional June. For three consecutive weekends, the railway’s focus was on our station with the Wartime Weekend, Woodford Gala and Model Railway events bringing in the crowds. The car parking and entrance arrangements worked well All action at Quorn & Woodhouse on 21st June, 2015 as passengers make to Board the DMU to Loughborough Central. DENNIS WILCOCK

Northants Area Group - Members Evenings Join us for our first Meeting of the 2015-2016 Season

Wednesday 2nd September – A talk illustrated with slides by Bill Davies. Bill started his railway career at Toton moving to Nottingham Victoria firing the fasts and semi fasts on the GCR. He then moved to Kings Cross where he passed out for driving, later moving to Charing Cross before retiring from Bedford as a driver and manager. Entertainment not to be missed!

All our events are on the first Wednesday of each month starting at 7.30pm at the Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Northampton, NN3 3EP All are welcome so bring your friends and family and help make this a success.

Refreshments will be available For more information contact Tony Hemmings on 01536 514 341 24 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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Quorn & Woodhouse station viewed over-looking Butler Henderson. DENNIS WILCOCK

A recent addition to the yard is the cab of No.72010 “Hengist”, the new build Clan Class locomotive, which adds interest, particularly for Butler-Henderson customers on days when there are no trains running.

In addition to the railway’s events, we have hosted wedding photographs, scouting events and car club rallies at the station; all these promote the railway and, we hope, interest the participants so that they return as passengers and maybe diners too.

The number of events does limit the extent that we can continue restoration and maintenance tasks. The focus has been on keeping the platform, yard, embankments and drive neat and tidy. Work has been undertaken on the new running-in board where paint had started to expose bare wood, on patching potholes in the station drive (a neverending task), on repairing and replacing paving slabs and toilet seats and on adjusting the crossing gates so that they work correctly.

We have started to paint the container which is temporarily located near the siding gate – a big job but one which will help it blend in as it is being painted in similar colours to the adjacent grounded van bodies. The new water butt is now in use and this fits in so well with its surroundings that I doubt many readers have even noticed it!

It does help us keep both the platform flower tubs and the Dig for Victory allotments watered and looking their best.

Inevitably at this time of year, focus turns to bonfire night and plans are being drawn up to repeat last year’s success but allowing for greater space for the numbers expected. During November and December, 2015 we intend to carry out a major repaint of the public area of the NAAFI where dampness from the road bridge still causes us a big problem.

Loughborough Central David Putt The major task being undertaken at the present time is the painting of both the Up and Down sides of the platform stairway exterior. Many years have passed since the Up side was painted (it doesn’t get as much battering from the elements as the Down side) and was in reasonable condition although badly faded. The Down side has been partially repainted more recently although on this side the state of the woodwork is causing great concern. Careful study will show where a considerable amount of timber has been

Planning ahead, we are working on plans for Butler-Henderson café to have hanging baskets next year with an easy-water system. We are also looking at ways of sprucing up the interior of the Tin Shed with period posters and artefacts.

Brian Parish at work on the east side of the stairway at Loughborough Central on 3rd August, 2015. DENNIS WILCOCK MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 25

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A busy day at Loughborough Central on 21st June, 2015 with the trade stands on Platform No.1 during the Model Rail event. DENNIS WILCOCK replaced over the years, some by ourselves and some in the British Railways era.

Nevertheless both sides will soon look far better than they have done for some years.

Another bench has been painted.

This is a constant task to keep them all looking tidy.

The telephone box restoration project has stalled somewhat at the present time although we are still looking for an A/B coinbox.

Clive Stevens and yours truly recently made a visit to the Avoncroft Museum at Bromsgrove, the home of the National Telephone Kiosk Collection. Here Clive carefully measured a K6 telephone kiosk interior so that the components we are planning to make will be of the correct dimensions.

Of some concern is the dust and dirt collecting on the ironwork and signs beneath the canopy. When this occurred on the old dirty paintwork prior to the canopy restoration it was of little concern.

Now the new paintwork is getting fairly grubby.

Cleaning lampshades and signs is tedious but straightforward; miles of ironwork is somewhat different!

Emporium, Loughborough Central - Chris Shilliam and Peter Scott, Joint Managers The low temperature the weather inflicts at the start of each year is always reflected in the limited spending and visitors the Emporium welcomes.

But although this pattern has been repeated, far more Gift Aid sales than usual at this time of year before April and Easter means that we have slightly improved upon the first quarter of last year.

In February, 2015 Gift Aid sales totalled over £2,450, March £1,000 and April, £500. As in the first two years of Gift Aid (the last amount reflects the average monthly figure for such sales) this good start can easily be seen. However, inevitably that means cash sent to the Booking Office hasn’t been so robust. In round figures, £1,700 was taken in February and March, 2015 and slightly more, in April. In addition, over £100 per month has been raised for the Bridge to the Future Appeal. So, the overall total for the first quarter is just under £9,750, a good start to our £40,000 target for this year. This would mean, if achieved, (and thanks to all those who donate and buy - please continue to do so!) £100,000 raised in two years. Fingers crossed.

Museum, Loughborough Central Stephen Shaw Our N gauge model railway, while it includes both a representation of a coalmine and a section of rural scenery, does not in any way claim to portray the GCR. Nevertheless, it has proved to be quite an attraction in the museum, particularly for our younger visitors, as comments in the visitors’ book bear out. Based around a layout which was kindly donated by Bachmann plc, it has been gradually adapted and extended by our volunteers.

In the earlier part of the year, the layout was given a thorough overhaul and some sections of

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The footbridge destined for Rushcliffe Halt in situ at Shirley on 14th April, 2014. MIKE MOUNTFORD

piece of craftsmanship which is very much in keeping with the atmosphere of the railway.

We remember him with gratitude.

Rushcliffe Halt Mike Mountford

track which had occasionally proved troublesome were re-laid. It is important that it should run as reliably as possible since re-railing or re-starting a locomotive can’t simply be done by big fingers coming down from the sky – the acrylic covers have to be taken off, a job which because of their bulk and the delicate handling involved requires two or ideally three people.

Experience during the busy summer period has shown that the overhaul was well worthwhile, with far fewer times that the dreaded “Out of Order” notice has had to be displayed. Members of the team have even been inspired to add some local touches to the scenery, including a model of Old John and a creditable representation of The National Forest.

We were very sorry to hear of the passing away on 4th July, 2015 of John Walton. While there are many examples around the GCR of his signwriting, the splendid handlettered timeline that John produced for us is a centrepiece of the museum. It is located directly opposite the entrance, above the aforementioned model railway and it provides a framework for understanding the rest of the museum’s exhibits. When it became clear that it would be prohibitively expensive to have the timeline produced by a graphic design studio, John agreed to do it and the result is a

New Footbridge for Rushcliffe Halt Well, not exactly new – in car sales jargon it would be pre-owned. After several abortive attempts at securing a redundant footbridge from Network Rail, we have at last taken delivery of the one that sat at the south end of Shirley station, on the Birmingham to Stratford on Avon line.

The bridge was removed by Network Rail from Shirley in five sections, overnight on 23rd May, 2015 (Bank Holiday weekend). This required a large capacity crane to lift the sections over the station buildings and into the station car park. The bridge sections were then delivered to Ruddington on 26th May on three lorries.

This footbridge, which was originally constructed in 1907, has recently been replaced by a modern structure which incorporates lifts under Network Rail’s Access for All scheme. Although the main span dates from 1907, the bridge has undergone a number of alterations over the years, notably

The footbridge that was fitted at Rushcliffe Hall showing the similarity with the Shirley bridge.

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the removal of the canopy over the main span and replacement of the original staircases, which took place in the 1970s, we understand.

Work has already started on the refurbishment – the first job being the removal of the main span floor which consisted of lateral concrete sections (many suffering from “concrete cancer”) covered in several layers of asphalt. This has enabled the steel structure itself to be examined and was found to be in reasonable condition. The staircases, however, are suffering more from the ravages of time plus various modifications but since we will have to modify them anyway to suit the needs of Rushcliffe Halt, this is no great problem.

As it turns out, the bridge we have acquired is visually very similar to the footbridge that existed at Rushcliffe Halt until the closure of the line.

Thanks must go to Network Rail for the donation of the footbridge and to the LNER(GC) Heritage Trust which paid for the transportation costs.

Heritage Centre – Ruddington Fields Major Developments – Mike Mountford Building No. 4 At long last, after a significant delay for a number of reasons, work has finally re-started on the construction of Building No.4, which (logically) fits between Building Nos. 3 and 5.

The current work on Building No.4 includes the erection of new steel columns into the gap between Building Nos. 2 & 3 to form the supports for roof beams across to Building No. 5. By the time that you read, this it is hoped to have the majority of the roof beams in place.

exposed to the ravages of the weather and in an environment that is not secure. A formal application for Planning Permission is being prepared for submission to Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Site Infrastructure - Dick Hull Steady progress has been made on improvements to the infrastructure around the site over the past twelve months; some jobs being larger than others as is always the case.

A further two panels of track have been laid in the car park to extend the loading ramp which has now completed this important job. Work has started in earnest on Platform No.2 with the marking out and scraping of the top surface in order to facilitate the excavations for the concrete footings. The next step will be pouring of the concrete and carrying out block work, although the facing brick wall will be a while yet. A cabinet has been installed to house electrical and site telecoms equipment on Platform No.2; at present a temporary feed until the completion of the rear wall permits a permanent supply, although the power outlets have already been appreciated by those carrying out work on coaching stock.

The NSMEE bricklaying team have completed the retaining walls to their Parkgate part of the site and we have laid paving slabs and kerbs adjacent. We have installed and connected up the last traditional street lamps; together with the caravan hook up sockets, work in this area is now complete apart from a final surface dressing. We now intend to start on the other side of the road with more granite kerbs that were donated last year from the Nottingham Ring Road works.

Building No. 2A Just as we are currently in-filling between Buildings Nos. 3 & 5, a similar scheme has been given the go-ahead to infill between Buildings Nos. 2 & 3 – to be known as 2A. This is intended to provide a safe, secure museum/display area for the vintage buses that currently occupy that space but which are The blue Princess No.46206 “Princess Marie Louise” at Ruddington on 6th June, 2015 for the Pacific Day. MIKE FIRTH 28 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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More Pacific Day participants: Top: Merchant Nay Class No.35022 “Holland America Line”.

Below: No.4472 “Flying Scotsman” looking magnificent at on the NSMEE tracks.

Both: MIKE FIRTH

Nottingham Society of Model and Experimental Engineers Mike Firth Events We have enjoyed a busy summer with a number of notable events taking place.

We are now in the process of setting up an outdoor museum to display various predominately GCR artefacts. This will be situated adjacent to the children’s play area and will contain such items as mile posts, boundary markers, small sections of track, signalling equipment, etc.

Other work ongoing includes the foundations for the extension to the Model Railway building, together with the reconstruction of several manholes serving telecom cabling that have collapsed and need attention. Installation of a new section of ducting along the main drive for telecom cabling is scheduled as is the installation of kerbing to tidy the driveway up.

Upgrading of the electrical supply equipment to Building No.5 in preparation for the now started No.4 shed has begun, as has the revamping of the 110 volt supply in No.1 shed.

The Wednesday Gang has been busy on various jobs, including refurbishing the Gents’ toilet and installing a new ceiling in the Ladies’ toilet. The shop has been revamped by the Commercial team with new lighting and ceiling incorporated.

6th June, 2015 was Pacific Day when we invited a number of visitors with pacific locomotives to run on our ground-level, above-ground and gauge 1 tracks. There was a great variety of locomotives on the raised track this year including a blue Princess, an A1, A4, Duchess, Britannia and a rarity at Ruddington, Merchant Navy Class No.35022 “Holland-America Line”. The gauge 1 track was also very popular this year with visitors including two Duchesses, an A4, Britannia and A3 “Flying Scotsman”. We were blessed with fine weather again this year and everyone enjoyed the day.

The action (and fine weather) continued on the evening of 16th June when we held a night run instead of our usual monthly indoor club meeting.

Following the success of last year’s event, we invited drivers and shed staff from Loughborough with their families and we all enjoyed a sociable evening on the miniature railway.

The highlight of the summer was our hosting of the International Model Locomotive Efficiency Competition (IMLEC) over the long weekend of 17th to 19th July, 2015. This was the second time we have hosted the event, at relatively short notice, over the last four years. The competition, which was run on our raised track with locomotives in both 5” and 3½” gauges, dates back to 1959 when the Model Engineer magazine introduced the idea of organising an annual event to test the efficiency of miniature steam locomotives. Each competitor runs for 30 minutes with a loaded passenger train, hauling a dynamometer car and official observer. A brand MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 29

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On 16th June, 2015 the NSMEE entertained members of the Locomotive Department at Loughborough and their families. Craig Stinchcombe and family enjoy the ride behind No.70007 “Coeur-de-Lion”. MIKE FIRTH

new dynamometer car was built for the event by NSMEE member Bob Bransom, with help from a few colleagues. The dynamometer car measures and gives readings of the Total Work Done, the total distance travelled in feet; the overall run time in minutes and the weight of coal are also recorded. From these parameters the following calculations are made:Overall Thermal Efficiency % = Work Output x 100 / Heat Input The calorific yield of the coal was assumed to be 14,000 BTU per pound and the number of ft-lbs per BTU is 778 therefore:Overall Thermal Efficiency % = Total Work Done x 100 / Weight of coal used x 14,000 x 778 The locomotive that returns the highest thermal efficiency is the winner.

A significant amount of effort was put into the organisation of the event by a small number of dedicated NSMEE members, supported over the weekend by a pool of helpers drawn from the NSMEE membership. We are most grateful for their efforts in delivering a successful competition that was a great credit to the Society.

Our thanks also go to GCR(N) for their patience and support in making the site available for the weekend.

Projects The storage container is now almost complete so attention is now turned to the Parkgate branch project. As I reported in February, we are producing a double slip as well as a number of conventional points. The double slip was designed on CAD giving us the precise dimensions of each of the different parts and we have cut the rail lengths in accordance with the drawing, bent them and are in the process of milling the blades, welding the frogs and producing the smaller components. Assembly will take place on a large trestle in our project room (the slip is 4 metres in length) and a trial fit has taken place that looks promising.

A total of 33 competitors with a variety of locomotives in both 5” and 3½” gauges took part in the event that saw competitors and visitors from all over the UK. NSMEE members Alan Gent and Roy Hollingworth represented the home side and both put in creditable performances.

The winner was John Cottam from Chesterfield Society driving a 5” gauge LNER P2 2-8-2 “Wolf of Badenoch” that returned a Thermal Efficiency of 2.122%. This was well above the second placed engine, 5” gauge Britannia 4-6-2 “Coeurde-Lion” (the only BR locomotive with hyphens on the nameplate) driven by Paul Tompkins from Guildford Society returning a Thermal Efficiency of 1.864%.

The NSMEE double slip having a trial assembly to check the accuracy of the many components in the new container. MIKE FIRTH 30 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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Emporium Express No.6 DIARY EXTRACTS FROM A LEICESTER RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST No2: When I were a little lad…..

by Tony Cooke

The post war years were hard for our large family which had moved from Ellistown (near Coalville) to find work in Leicester and we lived in a large draughty rented house off Welford Road. For me, this was very handy because in the dead of night with the wind in the right direction, I could hear the sound of trains on the Midland main line and Knighton goods yard. I learned to tell the difference between the heavy chuff of an 8F pulling away with a loaded train and the faster staccato exhaust of an 0-6-0 “tripper” doing fly shunting. Waiting to hear the thump and clang of wagon couplings and buffers colliding as goods trains were cut and remade was fascinating stuff.

We used to walk into Leicester across Vicky Park but my main aim was to see some trains so that engine numbers could be recorded in a notebook, so we had to stop at Regent Road overbridge and usually returned by Welford Road past the cattle market which gave plenty of opportunity to see what was happening on the railway. The cattle market was a fascinating noisy place in its own right with many farm animals in the pens ready for auction. Some were herded across the busy road onto the railway dock and loaded into wagons with much shouting and angry motorists! The wagons were usually shunted into place by an elderly 2F 0-6-0 (still bearing an LMS number and insignia).

The circular walk took some time and one day, the “Kid” kept falling over which was both painful to my knees and very aggravating for my minder. When we got home, a de-mobbed RN sailor uncle (who had a great deal of worldly experience) immediately identified the problem saying “you daft beggar, - you’ve put his boots on the wrong feet!”

On a nice day if I’d been a really good boy, we might divert into the cemetery and sit on a convenient bench near Cattle Market Sidings signalbox. This was a wonderful place to observe both trains and the box. We could hear the telegraph exchange of bell signals and the answering sharp tap-tap as “our bobby” made contact with the adjacent signalboxes. This gave us notice that the pegs would soon be pulled off for another train and hear the click-thump of box levers being pulled together with the characteristic screech of tensile signal wire. This was sometimes accompanied by the noise of points being reset if the cattle dock shunter needed to move. All this had to be reversed after the train had passed and then silence and bird song returned as the box log was completed.

The box was very busy in those years. There was plenty of goods traffic on the dedicated slow lines and northbound trains often had to queue within a permissive block to obtain a path through Leicester.

There is little sign now that the slow lines and sidings at Knighton Goods or the Cattle Market ever existed.

To be continued, Editor Taken from the cattle loading dock, Fowler 2-6-4T No.42383 passing Cattle Market Sidings signalbox with the evening parcels train from Leicester Midland to Birmingham New Street on 8th July, 1958. TONY COOKE /COLOURRAIL MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 31

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Carriage & Wagon Chronicle Compiled by Steve Johns Rothley Carriage Works Chris Lang Tourist Second Open (TSO) 4830 Continues to see work being carried out to the interior with new panelling being fitted to the walls, some replacement interior glass has been fitted as some was Perspex.

Ceilings are being painted and the toilets are being fitted out as best we can as we are now short on most of the ceramics.

999503 Arrowvale Belle This has entered traffic now and apart from a minor issue with a light switch is operating as expected.

SK 24421 This carriages progress has slowed over the past few months to speed up 4830. Work is being done on the interior finishes.

New apprentice at Rothley Carriage works, Patrick Newborough, at work restoring the bogie of Restaurant Buffet Refurbished vehicle (RBR) 1649 See picture below right DENNIS WILCOCK

Restaurant Buffet Refurbished (RBR) 1962 was allowed out of traffic for a short spell to allow the fridge to be fitted, a penalty for letting

it out too early before they are ready means there is still a list of outstanding items to be dealt with. Other items covered this time were strengthening corners added to the chairs, and the bogies re-levelled.

VC 70 The veranda coach was finished on time and has seen some use over the last few months on private charters.

Restaurant Buffet Refurbished (RBR) 1649 Is currently having the under frame receiving more attention and the bogies are being stripped down for a full overhaul. Wiring and ETH systems are also being dealt with at this time. Wastage across the headstock is being welded back to full thickness . A long way from being finished.

Restaurant Buffet Refurbished vehicle (RBR) 1649 On jacks minus its bogies is a long way from finished…

DENNIS WILCOCK

Restaurant Buffet Refurbished (RBR) 1695 Is being stripped down to assess the full level of work required to overhaul the vehicle. A report is awaited on this soon.

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9124 Has entered the workshop and has been stripped of all rotten panels.

The damage from leaving the vehicle out of traffic should be apparent from the photographs, a possible case for a bigger carriage shed.

80301 and 1852 The first casualties from the incident last year have managed to make it down for inspection and critical remedial safety work has been undertaken to make them easier to move. Once these vehicles have been given the go ahead from the insurance company, and been sent away the next two are to be brought down.

Arrowvale Belle 999503 now in service - seen here at the North

3072 has eventually made it down to end of Loughborough’s Platform 1 Rothley this is one our spare first DENNIS WILCOCK class open carriages, its overhaul and will make it easier to keep dining services at couple of years now the list of outstanding jobs full capacity when one needs overhaul. continues to increase, as such it has been decided to withdraw the vehicle from traffic Several new members have joined the team after the January Gala to tackle the list. This recently so a warm welcome to them and includes a complete rub down and re-varnish, thanks also to the continued efforts of those replacement of the water tanks (which requires that work so hard in the department must also the kitchen to be removed), an upgrade to the be mentioned. kitchen and replacement of the batteries. This will not be a five minute job, so expect the vehicle to be out of traffic for several months.

The money the vehicle has earned from Railway Vehicle Preservations operation by the GCR over the last year or so Brian Hallett will help to cover part of the costs of the renovation work, but it will fall well short of the expense involved in bringing the vehicle Swithland Carriage Shed back to tip top condition, so please feel free to RVP’s shed at Swithland now has three roads open your cheque books and make a donation – connected to the GCR network, following work it will be appreciated.

by Nick Tinsley and his P-Way team. As a I am also pleased to report that Mick Dickman result of this three more vehicles from our has taken on the role of Buffer Car Manager collection have moved into the shed, these with responsibilities for rostering of staff to being the three coaches that used to reside on operate the vehicle on a regular basis. Mick can RVP’s back road at Rothley. be contacted on buffetcar@tvp-ltd.org.uk for The vehicles that have now made it to the shed more information, or if you would like to now require that their protective sheeting is volunteer. removed from the roofs, this will allow the vehicles to dry out without making them sweat underneath the tarpaulins.

Tourist Third Open (TTO) 23981 During the shot-blasting of the bogies one of them was found to have some severely Buffet Car 24278 corroded cross members, Phil Stanbridge With the buffet car having been in traffic for a MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 33

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measured the sections and had them manufactured over in Burton. These have already appeared at Rothley and have replaced the wasted parts on the bogies, although they remain to be riveted in place.

Beavertail E1719E This versatile vehicle continues in operation and is available for charter hire.

Travelling Post Office (TPO ) Set The TPO set has not been in operation since the last issue of Main Line, but is planned to be in operation at the October Gala.

TPO 80301 80301 has now made the journey down to Rothley where it has been lifted onto the jacks and inspected, thankfully it has been found to be fully repairable.

It is hoped that in the not too distant future the vehicle will be sent away for repairs.

Diesel Brake Tender B964122 Components for the braking system continue to be made off site, including the overhaul of the vacuum cylinders.

It is hoped that once the braking system is in place then the vehicle will be completed quickly as all the hard work will have been done. It will “just” be the matter of adding the ballast weight, making the bodywork and painting … then we just need a few diesels to push it around.

RVP Raffle Our raffle, which sees proceeds go to our appeal for LNER Tourist Third Open 23981, is still running and anyone that has tickets that they wish to enter into the draw could they please return them as soon as possible. If anyone needs more tickets then please contact our promoter, John Rudkin, via raffle@rvpltd.org.uk to obtain tickets, please provide an address to send the tickets to.

At present the raffle has exceeded the costs involved in its running, so all tickets sold from now on will only add to the fund to restore 23981.

The raffle will be drawn at RVP’s AGM on Saturday 27th November.

Windcutter Notes John Brooks We have known for some time that the OLEO buffers fitted to a number of the mineral wagons were becoming life expired and sadly we now have three wagons that have been withdrawn due to the condition of their buffers.

Unfortunately the first wagon to succumb was newly overhauled B593104. Steve Goodhand and myself completed all the outstanding tasks to, as we thought, complete the wagon in May. However when the wagon was being shunted

Funding I am sure that you will realise that the above work on our collection comes at a price, both in terms of manpower and materials, so any donations are always appreciated including any spare time you may have, send cheques to: RVP 26 Cliff Park Avenue Wakefield There are now three Windcutter wagons out WF1 2DW of service due to failed buffers JOHN BROOKES

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thanks are due to John Buckland and Steve for helping with this.

We had hoped that by now B596329 would have been moved to Rothley for its overhaul to start but for various reasons the move has not been possible so our small team are rather in limbo at present and we can only hope that things will start to move forward again soon.

We still have a lot of wagons which need attention so as always some additional help with the wagon repairs would be very welcome.

Freshly painted Shock open wagon B724550 now standing in Quorn and Woodhouse station yard DENNIS WILCOCK

around the yard at Rothley it was noticed that the buffers on the north end were not working properly. After discussing the issue with Chris Lang at Rothley we agreed that the wagon was not fit to return to service. This was a big disappointment although it was probably better that this problem was identified before the wagon was released to traffic.

Worse was to come when in June a further two wagons from the operating fleet also had to be withdrawn due to the failure of their OLEO buffers. As we have been aware of potential problems with this type of buffer we have been making enquiries about either obtaining replacements or getting our growing stock of failed buffers repaired. So far this has failed to find a solution to the problem. As a last (and potentially very expensive) resort we contacted OLEO to see if they could still repair the buffers. However they no longer do repairs in the UK so we would have to send the buffers to Germany and there is some doubt as to whether they would be able to do the work due to the age of these buffers. An extensive trawl of the internet revealed another UK company advertising a repair facility but to date several attempts to contact the company have failed to gain a response. With 11 wagons in our fleet fitted with this type of buffer we do have a major problem to deal with and as yet no viable solution.

Apart from spending a lot of time trying to resolve our buffer problem the only other work carried out has been a day at Quorn giving the in-service wagons a quick check over and

For more information please contact John Brooks on 07769 723 278 or email j.brooks44874@btinternet.com . If you are not able to assist us in a practical way, but would like to help financially the David Clarke Railway Trust (DCRT), who are the owners of 36 well used mineral wagons, have a separate account for the Windcutter Project and would be delighted to receive your donation. If you are a UK tax payer your donation can benefit from Gift Aid which means that DCRT can reclaim the amount of basic rate tax you have paid on your donation. See GCR website.

TTO (Tourist Third Open) TTO 23981at Rothley now under cover, stripped down to bare wood after removing decades of grime, paint and varnish.

DENNIS WILCOCK

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GCR-Rolling Stock Trust Clyde Pennington Wooden bodied carriages which were never expected to be left unattended in the harsh conditions of open air and the attention of vandals and thieves continue to dominate the hopes and aspirations of the heritage caretakers on the GCR. At Swithland RVP is well into its stride with its new carriage shed, while the Rolling Stock Trust at the Nottingham-end is looking to short-term and longer term solutions to the shortage of protective storage. This is given added urgency as the long-term restoration of the oldest carriage in the fleet nears completion.

2 New Buildings.

Peter Wilson and his team are making rapid progress on the new 2 road 4-carriage shed and workshop of Building No.4. Following on from the casting of foundations, the extensive peripheral work of installing and diverting services, completing alterations on the two adjacent sheds to comply with fire regulations, the erection of main structural steelwork is now underway transforming the skyline.

The Centre is short of public display of GCR heritage artefacts. Some years back Peter Wilson drew up plans for an extension of the main workshop No.1, adjacent to the car park, known as Building No.1a. The Rolling Stock Trust, with the 567 Locomotive Group, is reviving this building as a potential mini GCR museum and 2 road workspace, prior to the long term prospect of the “Main Line GCR” museum at the Leicester end.

This will enable quite a number of GCR artefacts to be displayed, not least our original MS&L 6-wheeler No.946, to add to the visitor experience at the Heritage Centre.

We now have from East Midlands Railway Trust, the charity that owns the Centre, the first of many required approvals and, are going forward now with Great Central Railway (Nottingham), the site operators, towards planning and detailing the design. At that stage too we expect to be seeking funding support outside our own resources.

Update on 1888 built Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire 6 wheeler carriage No. 946.

Sited in No.1 Engineering workshop at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington.

Work has continued apace on the final details

Sketch of the proposed new 2 road, 4 carriage shed and workshop for GCR Rolling Stock Trust at Ruddington

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to meet our aim for out-shopping in October this year. All who have seen the carriage are very impressed with its transformation from a derelict wreck in 2000 to this Victorian gem.

However, we still have much to do and we are under a very strict regime of surface preparation – sanding down between a multitude of coats of paint - to get our preparations completed before our nominated specialist contractor, Ian Hewitt of Heritage-Painting, applies perfection in the sign writing of class identifiers, the GCR coats of arms, and the surface coats of paint and varnish. This will transform the exterior panelling from ‘Ex works’ finish to ‘Museum Quality’, our ultimate goal, and has the advantage of proving to funding agencies the quality of work undertaken by our team. It also puts the carriage in pole position for the “Main Line GCR” museum upon completion of that massive project.

Most of the internals are complete but the compartments will require a good spring clean at the end due to the ingress of greasy dust from the working shed in which the carriage currently resides. The seating is completed but Roger Penson and Francis Bailey are fabricating 2 spare sets to assist future maintenance.

Externally, Tony Keeble and Pat Sumner and the team are filling, painting, sanding, painting again and again. Boring but necessary. Andrew

David has done wonders stripping 120 years of bitumen and grime from the Mansell wheels.

They will now be sealed with Danish Oil for all to admire.

Our ace carpenter Doug Atkins continues to fabricate and insert wood finishings in all sorts of places and is currently w3orking on the pitch pine running boards.

Our thoughts are now turning to the agreed follow on carriage, our rare clerestory, lavatory, composite, brake No.1663, built 1903 to GCR Diagram No.4H3, LNER Code 5148, withdrawn from service on 21st February 1948.

4 identical carriages, running numbers 1661, 1662, 1663 & 1664 were ordered by the GCR, to the design of John G. Robinson, on (believed) October 24th 1902 from the Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd., as part of Sam Fay’s requirements for additional passenger stock, at a cost of £2040 each.

It comprised of 2 first class compartments totalling 10 seats and 2 third class compartments totalling 12 seats, with 2 separate toilet facilities for each class and a brake compartment.

If you’d like to get involved with restoration on any of our current projects please get in touch via email at clyde.pennington@live.co.uk

Rare clerestory, lavatory composite brake coach No 1663 built in 1903 to be restored at Ruddington Diagram supplied by CLYDE PENNINGTON

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.. the .. n i o J

FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE supporting the “Greater” Great Central Railway

JOIN NOW TO SUPPORT THE GCR AND RECEIVE GREAT BENEFITS FoGCML is the supporters group to join if you want to play a part in preserving and operating our remarkable railway By joining us you’re entitled to great benefits like the award winning quarterly magazine, Main Line, a quarterly Newsletter, exclusive offers and ticket discounts. Friends has its own section on the GCR website and through Main Line Xtra you get more news about the GCR, Review Articles, Special Offers and Main Line eLine, an electronic version of Main Line Friends works with Great Central Railway plc and The David Clarke Railway Trust to ensure the railway continues to grow and delight future generations

You can now join/renew on-line at www.gcrailway.co.uk/Friends.

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Permanent Way Progress Leicester North to Loughborough Central Section Andrew Higginson It’s been another busy quarter for the Permanent Way Department. Activity has been spread right across the railway - variety is the spice of life!

Spot sleeper changing on the Up line between Quorn & Woodhouse and Loughborough has continued (again). This job has been ongoing for so long it’s in danger of turning into our version of the Forth Bridge – before much longer we’ll been considering a return to the start and going through it again! The work is now down at the low mileage end near Loughborough and after changing well over 300 the end is literally in sight. Also at Loughborough, one or two sleepers in the Down loop have been changed together with a defective rail. Changing a rail is not a big job in itself but this one was in the foot crossing which had to be partially lifted to allow the job to take place. A lifted crossing (of any type) rarely goes back down without a fight or replacement parts. This one was no exception!

On the subject of rails, there has been a crippled rail in the Up loop at Swithland Sidings since it was laid. It wasn’t bad enough to worry about before the loop was commissioned and only in use for stabling but once it began to see regular trains the need to replace it became more urgent.

It wasn’t bad enough to cause an actionable exceedance in the geometry on its own but if any other aspect of the track developed a fault the combination of the two brought us much closer to being out of standard. It had to go! The Down main at Swithland Sidings has also seen some sleeper changing. It hasn’t seen a lot of The PWay team in action at the RVP Carriage Shed at Swithland Sidings.

Top: Progress on 3rd July, 2015 looking south. SIMON STANT Centre: Further work underway on the 6th July with road 5 connected. GRAHAM WIGNALL Bottom: On 27th July road 8 is connected and the point is being supported by ash ballast. GRAHAM WIGNALL MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 39

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Finally, on 28th July, 2015, two of RVP’s wooden bodied Gresley coaches are shunted along road 8 and into the shed. GRAHAM WIGNALL

attention since it was laid way back when, so it owes us nothing and deserves this bit of TLC. Around 40 sleepers were replaced.

Swithland Sidings has probably seen the most attention anywhere on the line. Once daily running began to become a regular feature, the gang set to work in the sidings themselves. Over the winter they had taken the opportunity to do some digging in the undergrowth that would have been a credit to Tony Robinson’s Time Team! We knew there was a turnout buried somewhere at the back of the yard, almost under the hedge bottom. It was a GWR design unit which came to the railway around 1990 (if my memory is to be believed). I think it was one of a pair, the other one being used at Quorn & Woodhouse as the connection from the south end sidings and headshunt taking traffic out onto the Up main. This was before a start had been made on remodelling the layout at Swithland Sidings.

In fact, I don’t think we even had a design at that stage, so it’s very pleasing to know that the decision taken all those years ago was the right one! The timbers for this turnout were well past their use-by date and were scrapped, the rest being salvaged where possible (despite it being GWR through bolted design) and missing components sourced. With a fresh set of timbers purchased a start could be made on assembling this unit. This made a start on the connections into the new RVP Carriage Shed. Another turnout was also used from stock to form a second part of this work. This is a GNR example

that came back from the oil sidings at Wattonon-Stone (on the Hertford Loop) in about 2002.

This also received a set of timbers to assemble the ironwork on top of. These two units have allowed the connection of Nos. 5, 6 and 8 roads to the outside world. The long (long!) term plan is to connect up all four roads via turnouts but due to the very constricted space available, this will only be possible by including a tandem turnout in the layout. These things don’t grow on trees, cost a king’s ransom to make and aren’t that much cheaper on the rare occasions they do appear on the serviceable materials market. We need to keep our eyes peeled and bide our time.

Whilst all this has been going on, the weekly patrolling work has continued over the whole railway and the team have been taken off PWay work on occasion to assist with the set up and breakdown of events like the Model Railway and Wartime Weekend events.

As always, your assistance would be very welcome should you feel able to offer it. Contact can be made through the Booking Office as usual.

Regular PWay work continues all along the railway.

Nick Tinsley on the regular line patrol at Rothley station on 23rd July, 2015 checking for any track defects. DENNIS WILCOCK 40 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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The Mountsorrel Railway Project

Steve Cramp leads the team of volunteers working on the project and sets out the latest progress

The planned VIP opening date for the Mountsorrel Railway has been set for 24th October, 2015. We are very pleased to say that the Rt Hon Lord Richard Faulkner has very kindly agreed to perform the opening of the railway for us.

The VIP opening will take place on the Saturday morning and will be followed by public trains from late morning onwards and all day on Sunday the 25th.

Public passenger shuttle trains will run from Mountsorrel Station to just short of the junction with the GCR. There will be a short pause to allow passengers to watch trains pass on the GCR main line before returning to Mountsorrel. Each

return journey will take around half an hour.

They'll be no timetable for the opening weekend as the shuttles will simply run as frequently as passenger numbers dictate.

As the final details are still subject to change and there still remains a great deal of work to do please keep an eye on www.gcrailway.co.uk and www.heritage-centre.co.uk for the final arrangements closer to the time.

Sadly this won't be the start of regular passenger trains on the branch line. Due to the complexities of operating a new railway the weekend of 24th/25th October is being used to try out operational procedures and to assess visitor interest. The winter period will then be used to refine the operational procedures, additional training and to work out how often to operate regular trains in 2016. Whether this would be every weekend or less frequently will certainly

An aerial view of the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre site in July, 2015. The Centre and car park are at the top. The access road into the base of the historic quarry area can also be seen. The white shapes next to the branch line are the foundations for the Nunckley Hill Station.

The siding track work can be seen which will eventually extend to the grassy area between the trees.

Sections of the Nunckley Trail foot paths are seen amongst the trees to the right of the shot. GARRY MARTINDALE OF WWW.FLITEVISION.CO.UK

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A restored ground signal for use on the branch.

STEVE CRAMP

The main focus of the branch line volunteer activity over the last quarter has been at the new Heritage Centre site at Nunckley Hill. The Heritage Centre project includes the laying of four new short sidings in the base of the old quarry. This is part of the historic quarry recreation area we are working to create and the sidings won't be used for the storage of railway stock, but for demonstration shunting utilising the restored Mountsorrel Granite Company wagons. The sidings will also lead to a new two road Mountsorrel Railway Museum, which will be built as part of Phase 2.

depend on passenger numbers over the weekend of 24th/25th October, so if you would like to see regular trains on the railway in 2016 then please come along and ride the line on the 24th and 25th.

We are still working flat out to have the line ready for the October opening. The GCR's S&T team led by Graham Banister have been working on the branch line signalling and the facing point locks that are required on the point at Nunckley Hill and the run off siding at the GCR junction.

This involves building two new LMS style wooden groundframes, restoring levers and sourcing the many other components needed such as the FPLs themselves, ground signals, point rodding and so on. These will all be installed by October, 2015.

We are very grateful indeed to Graham and his team for all their work.

We are very grateful indeed to British Celanese at Derby who very kindly donated all the points and track needed to construct the demonstration sidings! This represented a saving of at least £35,000 over usual second hand track prices. Our volunteer team spent several Saturdays over at Derby in May and June, 2015 lifting the sidings and dismantling ready for transport. As soon as the track arrived at Nunckley Hill our volunteers set to work laying the new siding complex. By the end of July, 2015 the trap point and head shunt off the branch line had been laid and the first of the three siding points was being assembled.

Volunteers have also built a new access path to connect the Nunckley Trail to the Heritage Centre site, have sorted and cleaned original granite stones from the old barn and Time Office which are being rebuilt at the Heritage Centre, created a new carved sculpture at the trail sensory area, erected signage at Mountsorrel Station and undertaken the ongoing task of maintaining the

On 1st August, 2015 the foundations of the Nunckley Hill station are in place next to the branch line with the track laying for the sidings also in view beyond. STEVE CRAMP 42 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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The new feed pipe for the water crane at the station being put in place in July, 2015. LIANNE HOLDEN

building is constructed from timber with a middle core of blockwork. The original stones are then added to the outside. The result is a building that externally looks just like the original yet internally complies with modern standards. The Heritage Centre and coffee shop will be complete and ready to open in early 2016.

vegetation around the nature trail, lineside and Heritage Centre sites.

Work has started on the second station along the branch line at Nunckley Hill. The foundations have been cast and the block work will start to be erected on 3rd August, 2015. The platform is scheduled to be completed by October, 2015. The new Nunckley Hill Station will serve the Heritage Centre site when it opens early next year.

Progress on the Heritage Centre building itself has been swift. The building involves the relocation of two historic granite buildings which will be rebuilt around a new central core. The mix of old and new has been carefully thought out to allow the character and charm of the original buildings to be retained. The attention to detail even includes sourcing new imperial sized hand made bricks for the new central section of the building so that it blends in with the historic elements.

Another element of the historic quarry recreation area is that we aim to build three replica granite stonemasons huts.

In the late 19th and early 20th century there were well over a hundred of these huts around the old Mountsorrel quarry. In each hut a stonemason would spend his days with a hammer and chisel working the stone into road kerbs, sets (cobbles), gravestones, wall stones and other similar products that the quarry sold. The three replica huts at Nunckley will add to the historic scene and on special days it is hoped to bring in a stonemason to give demonstrations to visitors of how the stone would have been worked.

The huts will be built entirely by our volunteer team but the materials needed would still cost over £5000. We were nominated for one of the £5000 community grants on offer from the One Foundation. This is a national grant scheme and this year had 169 entries. Success is decided by a public online vote with the top 15 projects each receiving one of the £5000 grants. We were up

Relocating old buildings is a complex task. When they are rebuilt they have to comply with modern building regulations and heat loss standards, quite a challenge when we have two feet thick 300 year old solid granite walls! To overcome The Heritage Centre under construction this the internal frame of the in June, 2015 seen from Wood Lane.

GRAHAM WIGNALL

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Left: In June, 2015 volunteers from Aggregate Industries help clean and sort stones from the old Kinchley Lane barn, which will be rebuilt as part of the heritage centre. GEOFF JAMES Below Left: On 11th July, 2015 Mountsorrel volunteers celebrate the award of a £5000 grant from the One Foundation. BARRY PRICE

with just under £2000 left to raise. This work needs to be complete before the opening in October, 2015 so please donate if you can.

Please send your donation cheque made payable to DCRT (The David Clarke Railway Trust) and write Mountsorrel Railway on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW. If you are a UK tax payer please also download a Gift Aid form from the project website www.mountsorrelrailway.org.uk and send it with your donation. This way the tax man will add a further 25% to your donation at no cost to you.

against some very strong competition but I'm very pleased to say that thanks to the support from local people and GCR supporters, we came 3rd and have successfully been awarded one of the grants! Our volunteer team will start work on the huts in the autumn.

The next few months are going to be our busiest to date. It will be eight years at the end of September, 2015 since work started to restore the branch line. It is hard to believe how far we have come in what is a relatively short space of time.

We do need additional able bodied volunteers to help us through this busy period. If you would like to get involved please get in touch with me via email at steve.cramp@heritage-centre.co.uk Our appeal to fund the sand drag run off siding at the GCR end of the branch line is almost there On 23rd June, 2015 volunteer Chris Thompson stands by the fantastic sculpture he has created for the Nunckley Hill Sensory Area. STEVE CRAMP 44 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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GCR Class 2 No.567 Project

GCR 567 Loco Group

Andrew Horrocks-Taylor, Chairman and Project Manager of the GCR 567 Locomotive Group gives an update on progress The frames of No.567 being cut at PP Profiles St Helens on 21st July, 2015.

doublers are then to be bent before the final machining of the front of the side plates.

The whole component set weighs four tons with the longest side plates just over 28ft long, all items cut from 43A 30mm thick constructional steel, a close match to the original.

Frames Cut, No.567 a Reality!

The project to build a brand new GCR Class 2 locomotive, No.567, took a huge step forward with the cutting of the locomotive's main frames as well as other frame components. This marks a major milestone as the engineering work to extract the details from the old Kitson Victorian drawings and generate accurate and verified frame drawings suitable for today's supply chain has taken considerable effort by all those involved in the project.

On the afternoon of 21st July, 2015 under the supervision of main contractor Ian Howitt, the frames of No.567 were cut by PP Profiles based at St Helens, Merseyside. The components generated are both of the side plates, the buffer beam, the trailing headstock and the two doubler plates (which reinforce the cylinder apertures).

This gives the group the components for the basic frame assembly.

At the time of writing, the parts were being inspected before being dressed and primed at Ian Howitt's workshop. The side plates are then to be dispatched for the first machining operation when the rear of the frames, including the hornguides, will be machined. The side plates and

The Management Group couldn’t be more delighted and can't wait to see the frame components delivered to our construction base at the GCR(N)'s Ruddington Workshops in the autumn for our Supporter Day. The support we have for our brand new Victorian engine, set to haul restored Victorian MSLR express coaches from the GCR Rolling Stock Trust and other owning groups on the only preserved Victorian built main line, is phenomenal already but this should give our funds a real boost. The next funding target is for the front bogie.

The locomotive frames will join a significant collection of components being amassed for the project at the GCR(N). A donor unused spare cylinder block from a Corby Industrial has been verified fit for use. Connecting rods from a Austerity Tank are also suitable. Brake rigging gear plus an original GCR 23 ton tender all await restoration and fitment but will effectively be in zero hours condition when utilised for the locomotive's build. A huge amount of concept work has verified what will work to ensure the locomotive will look and sound like the original but will comply with a preserved line safety case without exceeding the total £400,000 budget.

Chief Engineer Mike Fairburn reports that many of the mechanical components of the late MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 45

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Victorian Express Locomotives ended up serving a new life in the industrial locomotives that followed. There is a rich source of reference for the project and even spares availability we intend to utilise. The physical construction will use the GCR(N) Steam Locomotive Group's volunteers and we look forward to a swelling of the ranks in our Saturday crew.

Design Manager and Metallurgist Alan Bullock states that extracting the frame details and verifying we can tie all this together has been a big job. We had to take the time to get this right.

What we have learned as part of this process has really unlocked some of the secrets of Victorian locomotive design. It shows us how good they were with not a computer in sight in those days.

I'm sure you will agree the effort is worthwhile as the end result will be well worth it.

It is interesting to contrast the GCR 567 project with other new build locomotives. The majority are being built for main line operation where reliability of operation is absolute and the power to haul 10 coach trains plus over lines like Shap to support the main line charter business is required. The engineering and budget to build locomotives of this power and reliability is significant - in the multi-million category to support this kind of use.

looks to recreate a locomotive class from history rather than from peoples’ memory. The prospect of running a classic GCR Victorian Express Locomotive with original GCR carriages on the only preserved Main Line, a GCR main line, is a vision we can now look forward to - a vision that is rapidly becoming a reality.

Forthcoming Events 3rd and 4th October, 2015 - GCR Autumn Steam Gala, Quorn & Woodhouse Station Yard, GC Railway. Outdoor Event Tent 10th October, 2015 - Men's Breakfast Talk – Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The Construction of a Brand New Victorian Main Line Locomotive – GCR 567 Group Chairman, Andrew Horrocks-Taylor 24th October, 2015 - AGM GCR 567 Locomotive Group, GCR(N), Ruddington, Nottingham (See website for further details.

Postponed from July so our supporters can view the latest components) If any group would like to learn more about the project, please contact us and we would love to present the 567 project and/or the wider Victorian Main Line Express, subject to the Chairman’s availability. Providing education in the history and construction of the locomotive is part of our charitable purpose.

For

more

details

please

visit

our

website

The GCR 567 project by contrast looks to www.gcr567loco.co.uk that contains further details on recreate the Victorian Main Line Express and so upcoming events.

General Enquiries: gcr567loco@yahoo.co.uk requires a preserved line with preserved line https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/GCR567Loco/ : running speeds. When originally in service, the facebook maximum loads over the Woodhead line for No.567 were five 6-wheeler wooden coaches. https://twitter.com/GCR567Loco : twitter General Postal Enquiries: GCR 567 Locomotive The mechanical design included a saturated Group Administration c/o Mrs Dawn boiler, 18” dia x 26” stroke cylinders with Bullock, 19 Hartridge Stephenson valve gear linked to four 6' 9” Walk, Allesley Park, driving wheels. This is almost identical to a Coventry CV5 9LF certain record breaking “City of Truro”, built some 13 years later. GCR 567 will be eminently suitable for historic preserved line operation where the old original 4-4-0s are Buffer Beam permanently retiring from service at an alarming rate.

Doubler Plates

The project is one of the few opportunities for people to be involved with a new build that

Side Plates Headstock

Frame Components being manufactured

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“

Steam Locomotive News In a sylvan setting No.46521 runs along the single track section on 21st June, 2015.

TREVOR FELTHAM

Loughborough Motive Power Department David Mathews We seem to have had some rotten luck with the final tasks to complete GWR No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”. Firstly, there was the large bore copper pipe bending problem and then we couldn't get the correct bends to fabricate new main steam delivery pipes in the smokebox. This was overcome by partly reusing bits of the existing ones but it only defers the problem to a later date. Finally, when at the last hurdle of the steam test a leak was found somewhere behind the superheater header in the smokebox, either the gasketed joint or up a stud - impossible to see which.

So, early in August, 2015 we were faced with taking the whole front end apart again, elements out, steam pipes off, and header off. The bolts

to the latter are “swines” to get at.

In fact on the Standard 5 there was a late modification to put a sort of removable hatch in the top of the smokebox to get at them which would also make it easier to identify the source of any leaks.

However, on 5th August, 2015 it all came together sufficiently to have a triumphal run up and down the yard under its own steam for the first time for about 14 years. Still some bits to do mind you - but nothing serious!

The finished job looks magnificent with paintwork superbly applied as usual by Andy Morgan - late BR crests and a flat sided Hawksworth tender.

At the same time as all the activities on No.6990 volunteers have been completing the re-tube of SR No.30777 “Sir Lamiel” which should also be back in service by the end of August, 2015.

The big picture on SR No.34039 “Boscastle” revolves around the boiler, where a proposal to replace the inner firebox in its entirety is being worked up. Certainly the bits we have removed

14th June, 2015 and LMS Jinty No.47406 makes progress along the GCR main Line. ANDREW SOUTHWELL MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 47

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Visiting 9F No.92212 runs past the signalbox at Swithland Sidings on 21st June, 2015 during the GCR’s Model Event. The 9F was restored at the GCR and is now based on the Mid Hants Railway.

ANDREW SOUTHWELL

so far have revealed a pretty dire condition such that you don't know where to stop on partial replacement. Meanwhile, work continues on the rest of the locomotive with the injectors being fitted and a lot of work on overhauling the tender frames in hand. These will require a replacement front drag box which is really a fabricated and bolted set of plates. Interesting!

LMS Black 5 No.45305 has been treated to a new set of expansion link die blocks but otherwise is in serviceable order. It is due to appear at the Barrow Hill event in September, 2015. Phil Wainwright's LMS Black 5 No.45491 has had the small tubes delivered. These are being annealed and de-scaled. The bottles ends of the flue tubes are ready for welding and the tube-plate is ready threaded to receive them.

Incidentally, this copper tube plate is new, fitted some time ago. LMS Ivatt 2 No.46521 is performing well, having run over 22,000 miles at the GCR and other heritage railways since entering service three years ago. We intend to treat it to new pins in the combination lever union link Shed action on 11th July, 2015. No.48624 receives attention alongside No.92214.

CLIVE HANLEY

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area in the New Year at the same time as a piston and valve examination and a repaint into late BR 1956 green. This was the colour it carried for several years during its operations on the Mid Wales lines.

LMS 3F Jinty No.47406 is serviceable on its new coupling rods although it needs attention to a big end. It will be joining No.45305 at the Barrow Hill extravaganza in September. Roger Hibbert's LMS Black 8 48305 will move to the top of the list on completion of the Hall. Just to recap, it needs completion of the axle box horn guide work, a boiler re-tube and a new floor to the tender tank. On the subject of horn guide overhaul, we are in the process of making our own machine to dress the faces of horns, the major part of which is a

massive aluminium I beam that can be seen under the eight. The other red, no black, LMS 8 No 48624, is running well having been treated to a new set of springs to its coupled wheels.

GNR N2 No.1744 is away for the summer, having been at the Epping and Ongar Railway since April, 2015. It is scheduled for a gala at the Nene Valley Railway in September, 2015 before

9F No.92178 aka No.92212 on a photo charter brings the Windcutter through the loop at Swithland Sidings on 24th June, 2015. GRAHAM WIGNALL MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 49

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BR Class 5 No.73156 at Leicester South Goods, opposite Leicester Central Shed, in charge of the 12 noon Leicester-Woodford on 1st September, 1962. DAVID N WIGNALL

returning home for the winter when we might give it a lick of paint.

BR Standard Class 7 Britannia No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell” has been at Butterley for several months, configured as a 4-0-2, with the coupled wheelsets away at Riley's for re-tyreing. Those of you who take Steam Railway may have seen the wheels in the photograph of “Flying Scotsman”, identified by their cannon boxes. They, with the locomotive attached, should be back at Loughborough in September, 2015 when we will fit the second half of the new flues, the firebox tubeplate being ready threaded to receive them.

BR Standard 5 No.73156 has had enough done recently to make an article on its own but just to recap nearly all the tasks requested by the boiler inspector have been finished. That includes the outer wrapper patching at the front and back corners and above the foundation ring, the replacement of all foundation ring rivets plus eight in the barrel lap joint, fitting the crinoline bands, also starting on the new clothing sheets that go over them and welding together the kit of parts ashpan. Off the locomotive a brand new chimney casting has been machined, together with a new ejector ring casting.

The two Standard 2s are static for different reasons. No.78018's boiler was successfully steam tested early in August, 2015 and should be back at Loughborough later in the month. Then starts the task of proving clothing sheets for which we do have the raw material. Only a few other tasks remain and to get it into service sooner, we have agreement to borrow the tender off No.78019. Meanwhile No.78019 is in the yard opposite the signalbox, having come out of service just two weeks early due to a failed steam pipe in the smokebox. It covered over 53,000 miles in its ten and a half year ticket. When we can lift the boiler, the intention is to send it to Tyseley for what will probably be an extensive overhaul. What is the betting they will find cracks in the outer wrapper corners, corrosion at the top of the foundation ring, and attention needed to the inner firebox lap joints? Let’s hope it doesn't need new barrel sections like No.78018! On the other hand, we anticipate little work being needed on the tender and locomotive bottom end which appeared in good condition on withdrawal. As for BR Standard 9F No.92214, it is serviceable and has needed little attention except for the odd spring change but then it is only recently out of a major overhaul.

Lastly, a quick run through the work of Locomotive Maintenance Services starting with the largest and working Two 8Fs together!. The smokebox of under restoration No.48305 and newly black No.48624. CLIVE HANLEY

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The cab of “Hengist” on display in the yard at Quorn & Woodhouse. GRAHAM WIGNALL

No.72010 “Hengist” - Robert Ife reports Those of you that have been to the GCR over the summer will, I am sure, have noticed the first visible presence of No.72010 “Hengist” in the form of the refurbished cab structure which is near the café in the station yard at Quorn & Woodhouse.

The refurbishment was carried out by volunteers and the cab was then lined out professionally with all lines and numbers being hand painted.

After this, the structure has been given several coats of varnish to both improve its appearance and to help protect it from the weather.

down. No 4953 Pitchford Hall has been awaiting the return of the coupled wheel-sets from the South Devon Railway where they have had significant work done to them. They should be back in August, 2015. The bogie has been rebuilt and crossheads and vacuum pump overhauled. After re-wheeling, I believe David Wright intends to run the locomotive back into the tent but before he can do that the boiler of Roger Hibbert's austerity Robert HC 1752 will have to be finished and moved out. Most crown stays are in and the new side stays nobbled over. The boiler of the Mardy Monster, Peckett OQ class No.2154 of 1954, has its new foundation ring fitted and a new steel throatplate was due early in August, 2015 formed using the old one as a pattern. The three narrow gauge boilers, Sezela No.4, Pixie and Doll were ready for delivery at the end of July, 2015.

By the time you read this, a further item will have joined the cab – the smokebox which has been assembled for us by Ian Riley (E) Ltd at their Bury works. Both of these items will be on display for the rest of the year apart from short periods when we have commitments to exhibit them elsewhere.

The cab has proved a popular item. I was in attendance with it during the Woodford Gala and was amazed at the number of people who came over to have a look and comment upon it.

Away from the engineering side of the project, you may be interested to learn that we have a new Chairman, Alan Lowe, BAcc FCA who is the chief financial officer of Angel Trains. He is very much looking forward to helping us take the

That just leaves the NER Autocar, about which Peter van Houten tells me that the air brake system at the trailer (back) end has been tested and passed with flying colours.

Chris Reed and Martin Stretton of LSLG at work at Crewe on the boiler of No.78018 on 31st July, 2015.

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8F No.8274 alongside the HST power car at Rushcliffe Halt on 24th May, 2015. JOHN BAGSHAW

project forward to a successful conclusion – “Hengist” in service, both on the mainline and at the GCR.

Ruddington Motive Power Department - Mike Fairburn Having now passed the half way point in the 2015 operating season, it is timely to reflect upon activities in the year to date. Steam hauled operations have dominated activities but progress has been made on overhaul work on three locomotives and routine maintenance carried out on the running locomotives. New and existing volunteers are always welcome and the roles of trainees to support both overhaul work and steam operations are particularly welcome. Work is often repetitive and usually involves getting dirty but such work is a vital ingredient of operation of the train services on the GCR(N).

RSH 0-6-0 No.63 “Corby” The locomotive was due to have cold and in-steam examinations during August, 2015 and in late July was being made ready for this, following a washout. The remnants of the brick arch have been removed for the cold examination, as has the grate. It is now seven years since No.63’s boiler was re-tubed and whilst the locomotive has given excellent service since heavy firebox repairs were carried out three and half years ago, the extension of its boiler certificate is not a foregone conclusion.

LMS 8F No.8274 No.8274 has been in continuous service since the start of the season.

Duro USA No.30075 The board has approved the proposal for full boiler overhaul. This will be subject to an investigatory phase, from which the extent of some identified defects will be assessed and, providing that no surprises are detected by the planned Non Destructive Testing, work should

proceed on a timescale to have the locomotive operational in 2016.

USA S160 No.1631 Assessment of the condition of the dismantled pony truck during April, 2015 led to the decision to set this kit of parts aside and strip the other pony truck for assessment. It has been found to be in better overall condition and at the time of writing is being reassembled to enable it to be used to carry the locomotive frames during the re-wheeling process. The extent of work on the driving axleboxes has been assessed and, subject to resources being available, work should start on the necessary machining immediately.

Manning Wardle 0-6-0 No.1762 “Dolobran” Work continues steadily on the heavy general overhaul of this locomotive in preparation for re-wheeling.

RSH 0-6-0 No.56 No decision has yet been made regarding firebox repairs. Proposals for heavy repair are still awaited at the time of writing and the viability of a localised repair is again being considered.

Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 No.1682 “Julia” With the operating season in full swing and key members of the team committed to other important priorities around Ruddington Fields station and the workshops, progress has slowed considerably. Off site, the cylinder block machining is now largely complete, awaiting only the drilling of the block for cylinder drain cocks before it is completed.

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The GCR’s Woodford 50 Gala - Martyn Ashworth there. These staved off the inevitable closure only by a few months - until the 3rd January 1966. By that date only five locomotives were still stabled there: Nos.44848, 44932, 44984, 45267 and 92096.

The run down of the GCR can be traced back to January, 1960 when express services were cut back. In March, 1963 local train services were reduced and many local intermediate stations were Anthony French and Martyn Ashworth Principal guest at the gala closed. In 1963 the who helped organise the Woodford 50 was Richard Hardy who was infamous Beeching report Gala. MICHAEL SUTTON shedmaster at Woodford had been published and this Halse for seven months in hastened the closure of the 1949/50. JOHN CALTON GCR. By 1965 express There are several defining dates in the pre- freights and most parcels services had also been withdrawn. preservation history of the Great Central Railway – from the grand opening through to London Marylebone on the 15th March, 1899, On the 13th and 14th June, 2015 – exactly 50 through to Grouping on the 1st January, 1923, years to the day of these shed closures, today’s Great Central Railway marked this defining day nationalisation on the 1st January, 1948 and in GCR history with a special event entitled the eventual closure of the London Extension on 3rd September, 1966 and the Rugby to Arkwright Woodford 50 Gala. The exciting locomotive line up for this event was: Street section on the 3rd May, 1969.

To this list of memorable Shed scenes reminiscent of Woodford Halse. Locomotives are dates must be added the prepared for action on14th June, 2015. STEVE BOTTRILL 14th June, 1965 for it was on this day that the final run down of the GCR got fully underway with the closure of Woodford Halse shed, the closure of Staveley GCR shed and the removal of most of Annesley’s allocation of locomotives, leaving just 21 to soldier on MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 55

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Resting outside Loughborough Locomotive Shed on 14th June, 2015 is Ivatt 4MT No.43106 from the Severn Valley Railway. STEVE BOTTRILL

was photographed on shed there by David Pesterfield on 20th October. No.43106 was shedded at Woodford Halse from 1955 until 1962, and the real No.92220 “Evening Star” also visited there on at least three occasions, being photographed there by Mike Kinder in mid October, 1964. So there were some really accurate re-creations seen at this event.

Highlights of the event included the two 9Fs, the Ivatt 4MT and the 8F hauling the famous GCR rake of Windcutter wagons (the Annesley Runners), frequent passenger trains, some hauled by visiting Ivatt Class 4MT No.43016 from the Severn Valley Railway and making her first ever appearance at the preserved GCR and a chance to listen to our guest speakers talking about Woodford Halse – the town and the coming of the GCR and then the effect the closure of the shed and the GCR itself had on the town and the area from 1965 onwards.

No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” on display at the shed No.45305 as 44814 No.48624 as 48121 No.47406 as 47203, Leicester Central station pilot No.43106 No.92212 No.92214 as 92220 “Evening Star”

Woodford was a small village which became a railway town and owed its prosperity from 1899 until 1965 to the Great Central Railway. This was also true to a large extent of Staveley and Annesley where the railways were major local employers. To really bring home the full story of life at these sheds we were very fortunate that a number of Annesley, Staveley and Woodford men joined us for the weekend and so did legendary GCR man Dick Hardy (Saturday only).

All the locomotives featured had a local story to tell – No.47203 was the Leicester Central station pilot in 1965 and Black Five No.44814 was the last ever Woodford engine to be withdrawn from there. 8F No.48121 was also based at the shed and often photographed there.

No.92214 visited Woodford in October, 1963 and Recreating the Woodford scene.

Nos.48121 (aka 48624) and former Woodford resident No.43106. ANDREW SOUTHWELL 56 l MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015

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Showing the reality of shed life.

Cleaning out the ash pit at Loughborough on 14th June, 2015. ANDY BENNETT

The upstairs of Lovatt House was open throughout the event and as well as being a meeting place for reunions to take place, it also hosted guest speakers Rex Partridge and Chris Bazeley of the Great Central Railway Enthusiasts Association (Woodford Halse) who gave regular short talks on the history of the town and the rise and fall of the railway at Woodford Halse.

John Palmer also brought visitors up to date with progress on No.73156 and John Swanwick met the railwaymen with a view to recording their memories and compiling an oral history for future generations to refer back to.

The Woodford 50 Gala was a truly nostalgic weekend for all GCR enthusiasts and I would like to thank all our visitors for braving the elements on the Saturday to support us and to attend this one off occasion. The rain was heavy and pretty well continuous all day Saturday but it was also very atmospheric.

More Great Central Railway anniversaries are in the offing in the next few years so watch for announcements in Main Line and on the GCR website.

I would like to conclude by thanking, once again, all my colleagues at the GCR for their assistance, support and hard work at this event and in preparation for it. It was perhaps a little unfortunate that the anniversary dates fell the way they did as we ended up having three major events in as many weekends but we met the challenges and all three events were resounding successes. I would also like to thank many well known railway photographers who dug in to their archives for us and found some superb pictures of Annesley, Staveley and Woodford Halse in steam days. We used many of these in the event brochure and this publication has become a potted history of this significant time in GCR history. Copies of this and Main Line No.163 which contains a comprehensive history of the locomotive shed at Woodford Halse are still available via the GCR Gift Shop.

Visiting locomotives south of Loughborough Central at the Woodford 50 Gala. 9F No.92212, originally restored on the Great Central Railway, now from the Mid Hants Railway, runs alongside Ivatt 4MT No.43106 from the Severn Valley Railway on 14th June, 2015 STEVE BOTTRILL MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 57

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GRA

GRAHAM WIGNALL

MARTYN FISHER GRAHAM WIGNALL

GRAHAM WIGNALL

CLIVE HANLEY

GRAHAM WIGNALL

CLIVE HANLEY CLIVE HANLEY

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MARTYN FISHER CLIVE HANLEY

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GRAHAM WIGNALL

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CLIVE HANLEY CLIVE HANLEY

MARTYN FISHER

CLIVE HANLEY

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Signal & Telegraph Report One of the LMS style groundframes being constructed for use on the Mountsorrel Branch. STEVE CRAMP

EY

EY

Leicester North to Loughborough Central Section Steve Evans The May Work Week saw twenty levers fitted with refurbished pivot plates in Loughborough signalbox. Ten spare pivot plates had been refurbished prior to the Work Week and 10 removed from the lever frame were re-bushed before being replaced. It is planned to carry out a similar operation next year on the remaining 20 levers which need attention. The lever frame was painted and repainting of the Outer Home signal was completed. At Quorn & Woodhouse attention was given to the mechanical fittings for 7 and 12 points to improve their working.

designed and a start made on manufacture and fitting. Various materials have been sorted and point rod rollers have been fitted to bases. Crank and compensator benches have been built up and facing point locks, lock stretchers and other fittings (joints and rods) have been refurbished. A ground signal has been refurbished and fitted to a concrete base. This will act as the exit signal from the sidings at Nunckley Hill.

A 50 pair cable has been run from the north viaduct at Swithland to Kinchley Lane and cast pull plates have been installed in Quorn & Woodhouse signalbox.

At Rothley the telecoms gang have commissioned a brand new exchange. The old exchange was taken out of use and the old exchange room handed back to the station. This arrangement which was supposed to be temporary for two years has been in place for 13 years! Thanks to

Following the Work Week the main focus has been on the Mountsorrel Branch with work starting on two groundframes. Seven levers and two Annett’s locks have been refurbished, the groundframe structures built and the levers fitted.

Mechanical locking has been In control of Rothley Cabin on 23rd July, 2015, duty signalman Mark Collinson surveys the station scene. DENNIS WILCOCK MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 61

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the Rothley Station staff for putting up with this intrusion for the extended length of time.

Preparation work for the new smaller sized exchange included stripping the Relocatable Equipment Building (REB) to bare plasterboard and installing new hardboard walls and a data rack. All the circuits were transferred over to the new exchange. The Carriage and Wagon Works was completely re-cabled and all terminations completed.

Air conditioning has been installed in the REB and in the Comms Room at Leicester North. A master clock system is being installed at Leicester.

Redundant fax machines have been recovered as

only three out of 15 machines installed around the railway were in use. There has also been maintenance on the CCTV system at Loughborough. Routine testing of the backup generator is now properly scheduled.

The usual faulting and maintenance has been carried out.

As can be seen from the above, the department is progressing its considerable and varied workload but is always on the look out for additional volunteers to help ease the burden. If you are willing and able to assist, please contact Graham Bannister either at the railway or on 01332 881 412.

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Diesel Locomotive News Class 08 D3690 by the water tower at Loughborough Central on 11th July, 2015 during the Diesel Gala. CLIVE HANLEY

Class 07 07005 It has been some time since I have mentioned Tony Naylor's other locomotive, the Ruston Class 07 dock shunter. This 07 has been off site at Neil Boden's Washwood Heath works. Tony has been working on it as his main workload permits.

Loughborough Motive Power Department John Pepper The summer is here and the diesel fleet is somewhat diminished at the moment. The Class 20 is in Kent, the Class 27 is in Norfolk and the Class 47 is at Washwood Heath. All is not quiet though. The planning for the Autumn Diesel Gala is well underway and I am pleased to report that we have two – yes two (!) visiting locomotives lined up. These take the form of a Class 24 and a Class 26. The Class 24 is 24081 from the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway and the 26 is 26007 from Barrow Hill.

We have never had a Class 24 at the Great Central Railway before so we are very pleased to have finally got our hands on one. The Class 26 has been with us before and although as 26007 it is fairly anonymous, it is actually the class leader D5300.

Now the astute of you reading this will have spotted a cunning plan here. We have five small Sulzer locomotives in one gala. Classes 24, 25, 26, 27 and 33. Also, more to the point, it is 17 years since anybody has managed to have a 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the same gala.

By the time you read this the main generator will have been lifted out and stripped for overhaul. It is not thought to be in too bad a condition except that it is missing a few brush boxes. Luckily, these are a standard design and have been obtained from a scrap Class 47.

The insulators that they mount onto have come from the auxiliary generator of a scrap Class 20.

Once the generator is out of the way Tony's wife will strip and paint the frames in that area. The radiator is being worked on at the moment and should soon be able to go back onto the frames.

New sections of the cab have been fabricated and welded into place ready for painting.

The engine, which you will remember was very seized, is now stripped down to its component parts. Surprisingly, the crank shaft bearings are all still within tolerance so no work is needed there. Tony has sourced new cylinder liners and piston rings, a new fuel pump and water pump.

Although there is still a long way to go, you can see that this project is certainly moving along, no doubt helped by being under cover.

Class 08 13101 (The green 08) In regular use as the shed pilot but it needs to be parked near the battery charger as it often refuses to start without first having a half an hour boost.

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EWS liveried Class 08 08694 on the Down Loop at Loughborough Central. CLIVE HANLEY

been re-insulated. There is still a resistor in the control gear to be repaired or replaced and some burnt wiring to be renewed.

Class 08 D3690 (08528) A few defects caused the locomotive to be taken out of traffic for repairs recently. The biggest issue was a leaking air pipe that meant that the air system was leaking away as fast as the compressor could blow it up. This was quickly sorted out along with a few small niggles and the locomotive has once again settled down to reliable service.

Class 08 08694 The EWS liveried shunter made its first public appearance on a passenger train recently during a diesel running day. It operated in top and tail mode with D3690 on a series of short shuttles from Loughborough platform to the Up Section signal and back using the class 101 DMU as hauled stock. This was publicised in advance and drew quite a few people to ride behind these two on a rare passenger working.

Class 10 D4067 (10119) The blue Class 10 Since the last report, Tony Naylor has been quietly working away on the Class 10. The main failure was caused by a flashover between one of the generator brush boxes and a busbar for one of the field coils. This flashover caused extensive damage to the traction systems.

One of the two traction motors has had all of its brush gear refurbished and the second motor is nearly complete. The insulators have all been cleaned and coated in antitracking varnish. This leaves the traction motor contactor tips and the reverser contact tips still to be cleaned. On the whole, the damage was not quite as bad as was first thought so it shouldn't be too long before this old favourite is back in operation.

Class 20 D8098 The Type One Loco Company's Class 20 left the GCR for the first time in 23 years on 20th July, 2015 and arrived safely at Tunbridge Wells the following day for a three month visit to the Spa Valley Railway. Before it left, it received some serious cleaning and polishing at the hands of Michael Brent, Michael Cort and James Whincup.

It was even shiny inside the engine room!

It made its debut at the line's diesel gala over the long weekend of the 31st July to 2nd August. The locomotive was given a thorough workout on the steeply graded line culminating in Sunday's "LoadEx" where '98 hauled a train of 6 carriages,

Tony has now repaired the generator and refurbished the brush boxes. The busbars have Sporting a Gronks on Tour headboard, D3690 heads out of Loughborough on 11th July, 2015. CLIVE HANLEY MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 65

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Class 33 D6535 “Hertfordshire Railtours” powers out of Loughborough during the Diesel Gala on 11th July, 2015. CLIVE HANLEY

a brake van and four dead diesel locomotives (the equivalent of a 16 coach train) uphill from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells. The Class 20 handled its heaviest train in preservation with aplomb and impressed all of its crews with its sure-footedness - some even joked about keeping '98 permanently which is ironic because the owning group's

co-founders initially considered the Spa Valley as a home base before settling on the GCR! D8098 was supported over the diesel gala by a seven-strong crew of volunteers and will work a further 14 turns at the Spa Valley before returning north in early November. Unfortunately, the three month visit means that the locomotive will not be back in time for our Autumn Gala and will therefore leave the Class 31 as the only English Electric powered locomotive running.

Departing Loughborough Central on 11th July, 2015 Class 25 D5185 “Castell Dinas Bran” makes its way south.

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Class 25 D5185 “Castell Dinas Bran” D5185 has now settled down to regular operation and has seen quite a bit of use since it returned from Swanage. Since landing back on home metals it has operated faultlessly, completing all of its turns. It has also been used on a number of Drive A Locomotive Experiences (DALEX).

I am now starting to think about resuming the restoration of the No.2 end cab which ground to a halt when the locomotive failed four years ago. At some point we will have to remove the cylinder heads to replace the water transition rubbers as the ones on cylinders 5 and 6 are now leaking. For now though, we will top the cooling system up every

couple of weeks and get a bit more money in the kitty before tackling this.

Class 27 D5401 The Class 27 is away for its summer holidays at the North Norfolk Railway and has performed very well. It has also been well received by the NNR crews. The railway previously owned 27066

On the GCR(N) section D5580 is seen at Hotchley Hill on 12th July, 2015.

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sorted out in time for the Diesel Gala and also replace the badly corroded cab steps.

With just a month available in which to do this work, it is a rather tall order which will, I expect, require some major welding work to be carried out.

Class 45 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” The blue Peak has been working well of late and is available for Passing the signalbox at Ruddington Fields, the NRM’s prototype HST power traffic. It has a couple car 41001 tails a set of Mk3 carriages on 25th May, 2015. JOHN BAGSHAW of small niggles that will be easily sorted. before it moved on to the Dean Forest Railway There is a small leak in the Air/Vacuum relay valve which means that the locomotive is not able some years ago. As a result there were a number of drivers who had previously signed the class. to quite make 21 inches of vacuum and there is a weep in the end plate of the water to oil heat These men were given a traction refresher and exchanger. The group have a spare end plate so re-passed to drive the class. This means that we it will be a simple job to change it over. do not need to visit the railway every time the locomotive is used. It will be back at Class 45 D123 “Leicestershire and Derbyshire Loughborough in time for our Autumn Gala.

Yeomanry” The chance to work trains up Kelling Bank has As usual, there is nothing to report about this Class 45. You push the button, it starts and works done it the world of good and it seems to be without any problems! getting better each time it runs.

Class 31 D5830 The Class 31 was used for an evening charter on 18th August, 2015 when it hauled the Wedding Belle. The occasion was the wedding reception for John and Wei Looker. John was a founder member of the Type One Locomotive Company and as the other two T1LC locomotives are away at the moment, it was the obvious choice.

When you think that D5830 (31463) was bought as a source of spares for another class 31 which in the end turned out to be the worse of the two, it is a very solid and reliable performer.

Class 33 D6535 “Hertfordshire Railtours” The Class 33 has settled down to reliable operation but is looking very tatty. Tom Tighe has declared it his intention to get the bodywork

Class 47 D1705 “Sparrowhawk” The Class 47 has now been at Neil Boden's works for four months and work is progressing steadily.

The roof has been removed and sections of rusted metal have been cut out and new metal welded in.

It would be fair to say that around the edges there was more hole than there was metal. The locomotive has also been lifted and the bogies removed so that the cracked springs can be replaced. The silencer has been removed and the rotten section has been replaced.

The T1LC hope that funds will permit the locomotive to be repainted before it returns to the GCR.

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Full Steam Ahead for Greenacres -

Lesley Allardyce, Greenacres’ Manager, outlines the latest developments The modern units at Greenacres are available for hire.

Greenacres hosts a range of units in various sizes to suit all types of businesses. Greenacres units are managed units located just off Redhill Roundabout with close links to the M1 and just two miles from Leicester City centre.

Car parking for the use of occupiers and visitors is available on site and provides stunning views of the city skyline. Short and long term leases are available.

For more detailed information or to arrange a site visit please contact Lesley.allardyce@gcrailway.co.uk The Platform Café is also available for private hire during the evenings. We are fully licenced and can accommodate up to 120 people. Catering requirements from cold buffets to three course meals can be provided for, so if you are looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion please contact us on 01509 633870.

2 for 1 at The Platform Café Every Thursday in September, The Platform Café will be offering 2 meals for the price of 1 on the following; Scampi, Chips & Peas, Waldorf Salad with Potato Wedges (V), Ploughman’s Lunch, Giant Yorkshire Pudding with Sausage & Mash.

Booking is advisable, please ring the café direct on 01509 633870.

Forthcoming Events Sci-Fi Weekend, Beer Festival & Greenacres Christmas Fayre  GCR will be holding its first Sci-Fi event on12th & 13th September, with The Platform Café taking part. We will have face painting, balloon modelling, a craft corner and a few familiar characters visiting, so hoping lots of you will come as your favourite Sci-Fi character and join in the fun.  Greenacres will also be part of GCR’s 9th Annual Beer Festival on 18th, 19th & 20th September with real ales and ciders available.

The festival will be open from midday each day. Please go to www.gcrailway.co.uk for all the details.  Greenacres will be holding its 4th Christmas Fayre on 21st & 22nd November from 10am – 4pm, with live entertainment, Christmas craft stalls, Santa’s Grotto and lots of lovely, warm, mulled wine. Free admission.

Up to date information can be found on our Greenacres Facebook page or please see www.gcrailway.co.uk

The Platform Café is open Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm. For reservations and private hire or for any outdoor catering needs please ring 01509 633 870.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Leicester & Leicestershire Photo Competition 20 winners David Clarke Trophy - for the best print

First Prize - 63601 in the Snow

by Malcolm Ranieri

Second Prize - Winter Morning by Brian Burrows

Third Prize - 78019 leaving Loughborough by Martin Janes

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ion 2015 - Great Central Railway section Carol Burton Memorial Trophy - for the best projected image First Prize - Rothley Departure by Robert Falconer

Second Prize - Day out by Train by Stuart Weston

Third Prize - Last Train by Martin Janes

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Missing Shoes - the mysterious case of a missing parcel Janet and Stephen Shaw of the Museum Team report on an investigation Our main aim in the museum is to tell the story of the original Great Central Railway and its later history in order to enhance the experience of visitors to our railway. Space is limited, choices have to be made and obviously the items selected as exhibits are the more interesting, eye-catching and relevant ones in the collection. Although

there are well over 500 objects on display there is, in addition, a reserve collection which includes many more.

Over a considerable period of time the museum volunteers have been sorting through this reserve collection, painstakingly photographing and cataloguing everything.

Much of it is paper-based, often not very appealing at first sight but sometimes turning out to be of real interest. From time to time we have come across a heart-warming tribute to the dedicated professionalism of a railwayman who has averted disaster through his alertness or another who retired after many years of faithful service to the company, progressing steadily through the grades.

What follows is a rather different sort of story which we have pieced together from two separate items in the reserve collection that turned out to be interrelated. The first of these is a file of documents relating to a claim against the Great Central Railway for the sum of 13s 9d, made by the Leicester firm of J W Heath & Co. alleging pilferage of a pair of maid’s shoes from a parcel that they had sent.

The start of the paper trail into the incident of the missing shoes, a letter from Mr Langridge of 19th February, 1920 reporting the occurrence to Mr Clow at Marylebone.

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The signed statement by Pritchard referred to in the letter on the previous page

Heath & Co. were boot and shoe makers at 3, Wellington Street, Leicester, and were sufficiently prominent for James and Margaret Heath to become Mayor and Mayoress of Leicester in 1921-22. The second item is another file of documents, this time relating to a GCR employee named Pritchard.

We know virtually nothing about Mr Pritchard other than that in 1919 he was employed as a Vanman, in charge of horse-drawn vans delivering around the streets of Manchester from the Parcels Office at London Road Station. He may have been inexperienced in the job, perhaps as a consequence of the shortage of men after the war; he may have seen active service and been suffering the effects of that experience – we just don’t know.

Mr Myatt, summoned him wanting to follow up a complaint that had been received. Pritchard had been identified as the delivery man responsible on the 5th November, 1919 when it was alleged that a parcel had not been delivered to Messrs Phillips’ warehouse. The report submitted by Pritchard to the office stated that when he had called the premises had been closed for lunch.

He had brought the parcel in question back to the station, where it had remained awaiting further instructions from Messrs Phillips.

After questioning, Pritchard admitted that his report had been economical with the truth. In actual fact he had called at Phillips’ premises earlier that morning, but when he had tried to get a signature for the parcel, the warehouseman had made a fuss about the fact that he was smoking.

He had been asked to put out his cigarette, but refused to do so, putting his hand holding the lit cigarette into his pocket. The man then declined to receive the parcel in retaliation. There must

One day in November that year the Foreman, The response from Marylebone on 21st February, 1920 was prompt and to the point.

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A GCR record of the claim for 13s 9d from Heath & Co produced at Marylebone.

have been an unpleasant exchange because Pritchard had felt too embarrassed to record it.

He defended himself to Myatt by saying that he thought that it would have been a fire risk to put his cigarette out on the warehouse floor where there were loose papers lying about.

It becomes clear from later correspondence that Pritchard was then given a severe reprimand by Mr H B Langridge, the District Traffic Manager at Manchester and was required to make a statement (from which we have the details of the incident) which was duly signed by Pritchard and filed.

Three months later, in February, 1920, Pritchard was in trouble again, this time after the complaint had been received from J W Heath & Co. On 22nd January, 1920 they had sent two parcels from Leicester Central to Ashburys for delivery to Mrs Renshaw at 337, Mill Street, Bradford, Manchester (Bradford in this case being a district of Manchester). We found from Slater’s Directory that Mrs Eliza Jane Renshaw was a clothes broker and Edward Renshaw, living next door, was a shopkeeper. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries it was not unusual for a woman to make a living as a clothes broker, maintaining contacts with a variety of makers ranging from manufacturing companies to individual seamstresses working at home and putting together outfits to satisfy the requirements and taste of their lady clients.

On 26th January, 1920 Heath & Co. made their claim against the GCR, alleging that one pair of

maid’s shoes had been pilfered from the second of the two parcels. In response, Mr J R Tebb of the Parcels Office at Leicester asked Heath & Co. to give the full address of the consignee; then a memo from Ashburys Station to Leicester dated 5th February, 2015 reports, “I fail to trace receipt on or about date named – try Manchester.” Four days later the matter had gone to the top: a memo from Mr W Clow, Superintendent of the Line, based at Marylebone, to Manchester, asks for a full report to be sent by an early train, and the same day a notice went out from Myatt asking who delivered the parcel from which the alleged shortage occurred.

It was established that it was Pritchard’s van that had made the delivery in question and that apparently a signature had been obtained from the consignee confirming that the parcels had been received in good order. But Pritchard’s

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A note dated 19th April, 1920 concluding the matter. A very considerable paper trial involving senior staff at Manchester and Marylebone for such a sum of money.

Vanboy, Jones, was sent for and questioned. His statement, dated 13th February, 1920 reads “When I was on with Vanman Pritchard he gave me the sheets to deliver a number of parcels but I did not deliver any parcels with the other Vanmen. I signed Mrs Renshaw’s name because she could not write and I did not know I was doing wrong.”

Pritchard was forced to admit that he used the boy to do his work, handing over the parcels and collecting signatures and that he had failed to ensure that the boy had got proper signatures. The excuse he gave was that his horse was restless and that he felt he should stay with the horse for safety and send his boy. But he also admitted in his written statement that he had been instructed not to do this and had been cautioned on previous occasions by the Foreman for allowing his Vanboy to deliver parcels.

The report was duly sent to Mr Clow at Marylebone who replied to Mr Langridge, the District Traffic Manager, on 18th February, 1920 asking him to “have Vanman E Pritchard before you, letting me know what you have to recommend.” The following day, the Foreman wrote a full report to Langridge, concluding “Pritchard does not give satisfaction as a Vanman and I recommend he be removed”, whereupon Langridge recommended to Clow that Pritchard “be put to carriage cleaning, where he can be supervised more closely.” The Superintendent agreed to this recommendation and asked Langridge to arrange the matter accordingly. A letter dated 19th April, 1920 confirms “I duly received your letter of the 21st February, and the matter was arranged accordingly.”

As for Heath & Co., after Mr Tebb at Leicester had sent a report to the Superintendent asking for his instructions regarding the claim and after some further delay, they eventually received a settlement. A memo from Clow to Tebb dated 14th April, 1920 instructs him to settle at a 25% reduction (the reason for this reduction is not apparent from the paperwork) and the next day Tebb confirms that he has settled for the sum of 10s 4d.

The question remains: who stole the shoes?

Nowhere in any of the paperwork is there the slightest suggestion that either of the delivery men might be guilty of theft. It would surely have been evident if the parcel had been interfered with in transit. Who would want a pair of maid’s shoes? Could it have been that Mrs Renshaw saw the young Vanboy Jones coming, thought he looked a bit wet behind the ears and decided to pretend that she was illiterate and couldn’t sign her name? We shall never know.

In many respects the world was clearly a very different place less than a hundred years ago but there are some aspects of human nature that don’t seem to change.

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Rothley Station - A Review - Forty years after the

trains returned to Rothley, Colin Dean, Rothley Stationmaster, looks back at the station’s history Rothley station in its Edwardian glory in 1910.

Originally, the Great Central Railway wasn’t planning to build a station at Rothley; it was originally going to build one instead at Swithland on the site of the current sidings. Quite extensive works were undertaken there in preparation for building a station including building a stairway down to the road passing under the bridge. It seems that protests from the residents of Rothley resulted in the site of the station being moved and the station at Swithland being abandoned.

The station at Rothley follows the GCR’s standard island platform design with one set of buildings serving both the Up and Down running lines. As with all stations on the London Extension, we’re lucky in having the photographs of Sydney Newton to record the construction of not just the station but the associated bridges, embankments and cuttings. One of the most interesting ones for Rothley shows the newly completed bridge but no station having yet been built. Under the bridge you can see a glimpse of a temporary bridge that was obviously built to carry the road over the building works. I think this ran more or less over where the waiting room now is. I suspect this also accounts for the strange dog-leg we now have in the road just outside the station due to having to fit the bridge in at a reasonable angle to the permanent way…..but that’s just my guess.

Rothley station opened to business on 15th March, 1899. Apart from the stationmaster’s house, there was a row of railway cottages a little way down Swithland Lane. When opened there were no houses near to the station; the nearest village being Rothley about a mile down the road with Cropston and Thurcaston being a little further. It wasn’t long before the prosperous industrialists of Leicester worked out that Rothley was ideally placed to live in the leafy Leicestershire countryside, with only an 11 minute train journey from Leicester and their offices and factories. So we see a large number of large Edwardian houses spring up within walking distance of the station, with some particularly fine examples on The Ridgeway and Swithland Lane.

The railways, as with many industries, suffered a severe shortage of staff during the First World War as able-bodied men signed up to fight. The solution was to recruit women into some of the roles. A female porter, Madge Camp, joined the station in 1915. At this point the staff on the station consisted of a Stationmaster, Senior Clerk, Junior Clerk, one male Porter and one female Porter: Madge. We’re fortunate in having quite a bit of detail of Madge’s time on the station as she returned to work in the tea room in 1975 when the station re-opened. In a recorded interview, she recounts seeing a Zeppelin airship that was on its

Madge Sleath née Camp in the Tea Room at Rothley. Madge started as a Female Porter at the station in 1915.

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way to bomb Loughborough. These early aviators would have used the railways as easily followed lines in the landscape. Incidentally, one bomb was dropped quite close to Loughborough Central station, although the nearby factories were the target rather than the railway.

After the war the station and the rest of the railway were grouped into the newly formed London & North Eastern Railway. The LNER seems to have had very little impact on Rothley station, unlike Quorn & Woodhouse which was modernised; the main change seems to have been replacement of the signals. Similarly, the Second World War had no real impact on the station. The only visible reminder is the base for a spigot mortar situated on the top of the embankment on the corner of Swithland Lane; a reminder of the efforts made to defend the vital supply lines the railways provided.

With Nationalisation, the station moved under the control of the Eastern Region of British Railways and later into the London Midland Region. By the early 1960s the writing was on the wall. A staff consultation memorandum I have from February, 1961 proposes closing most of the country stations including Rothley. Rothley closed to passengers in 1963 and goods traffic in 1964. After closure, I was told, the Booking Office was used as a mess room by the signal and telegraph gang. Apparently, the engine crews used to take pot shots with lumps of coal to try and break windows in the closed stations and the S&T staff got into the habit of ducking to avoid the potential shower of glass and flying lumps of coal.

remarkable survivor from Whetstone station where it acted as a garden shed for over 30 years.

Almost immediately after closure efforts were made to preserve our current four stations (Loughborough, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Belgrave & Birstall). Rothley’s saviour came in the form of Stuart Bailey who set up the Rothley Station Action Group and set about tidying up the station. Amazingly, all this started before we’d even got permission from British Railways who still owned everything. Early work focused on making the station watertight as the years since closure had resulted in severe dry rot in the rooms. Unfortunately, all the fixed bench seating (as can still be seen at Quorn & Woodhouse) had to be removed and all the wooden floors replaced. At this time, funds were very limited and it was decided the weighbridge hut, similar to the one at Quorn & Woodhouse, should demolished to provide much needed timbers, slates and bricks to repair the main station buildings. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has a picture of the weighbridge hut as I’ve never seen one.

These early preservation pioneers did a remarkable job with the resources available to them. One useful source of material at the time was British Railways selling redundant items as scrap. One interesting recovery via this route was the Rothley notice board under the canopy. This was originally located at East Leake station and was purchased from British Railways and transported back on a track trolley all the way from East Leake including sneaking over the Midland Main Line whilst a train was in the platform to hide the noise!

The Great Central line limped on until final complete closure in 1969. By this time the station was in quite a state and photos from this time show broken windows and smashed doors. Also at some point in the late ‘60s, the original signalbox was burnt down. This was much larger than the current signalbox and situated further south of the station. The current signalbox was recovered from Blind Lane Wembley and reerected in the 1980s. The lamp hut next to it is a The original Rothley Cabin which was on the west side of the line south of the station. It was built overhanging the embankment. Remnants of that structure can still be seen.

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Since preservation, the station has seen a number of changes. Originally, the station wouldn’t have had a Tea Room. Early on, it was decided this would be a useful form of income and the decision was made to turn the original Ladies Waiting Room into the current Tea Room. This has proved very popular and it’s amazing how many regular visitors it attracts. The current Parcels Office under the stairs was just a coal store and I’m unsure what the area we currently have set up as a Lamp Room was used for. One interesting feature in the room is the original zinc topped table that was issued to the station when it opened and used for cleaning and filling lamps on; the zinc top preventing the paraffin soaking into the table and causing a fire risk.

A review of Rothley isn’t complete without mention of the station lighting. When built, the station was lit by oil lamps. In about 1910, town gas became available and the station was changed to gas lighting. This, not uncommonly for country stations, was never changed to electric lighting.

So when we took over the station it was decided quite early on to try to restore the gas lighting.

This came to fruition in 1976 with a grand turning on of the lights by Madge Sleath. This is probably the most intriguing feature of the station and always prompts lots of questions from our visitors.

It’s also a nice stop for the evening dining trains, when the lights can be seen to their best effect.

Interestingly, the company that made the original lampposts (Suggs) are still in operation and have helped supply replacement parts in recent years.

Looking from the station we need to mention the other buildings on the site.

The large metal shed in the station yard is now the centre of our Carriage and Wagon Department who do such a splendid job keeping the fleet of coaches and wagons in good order. The shed was built in the late 1980s at the same time as the Birstall Extension was in the process of being laid.

There were two losses to the station at this point.

Firstly, the original platelayers’ hut had to be demolished. Interestingly, when this was demolished a number of original GCR handbills were found blocking up holes between the sleepers that the shed had been built of. Secondly, the hugely popular bonfire night events had to be moved to Quorn & Woodhouse from 1988 as the

bonfire used to be on the site of the shed. One building that has always been a feature of the site has been the Ellis’s shed. This was originally used by the local coal merchant Joseph Ellis. Photos show this remained in use until the railway closed.

It was then used by the station, initially as an office and latterly as a store for all manner of things. The large painted advert on the side of the building was restored in the late 1980s at which point it was barely legible. In 2008 it was converted into Ellis’s Tea Room and has proved a great success. A few years later it was extended and is now almost double its original size.

Another addition to the station is the garden railway; this has grown from what was originally a pile of rubbish dumped in the corner of the yard into what you see today. The dedication of the group that run this is tremendous, ensuring it is always open whatever the weather! I remember in the early days they operated from a garden gazebo until they relatively recently got the luxury of their wooden shed.

The final original building on the site is the Goods Shed situated in front of the carriage shed; this follows the standard design and is similar to those at Quorn & Woodhouse and Swithland. These sheds had strange brickwork at the corners; this was apparently so they could easily be extended should the level of goods traffic warrant it. The fact they were never extended is perhaps an early indication of the level of traffic the GCR experienced.

One building that doesn’t belong to the railway is the stationmaster’s house which sits at the top of the driveway. This came with the job and once the station was closed it was sold into private hands. Regular visitors to the station will have noticed this has undergone a lot of work in the last 18 months. This has seen the building sympathetically extended whist retaining much of the original style of the house and the new owners and builders should be congratulated on this work.

No article about Rothley would be complete without mentioning our more spectral visitors.

Over the years, many ghostly sightings have been seen around the station. Members of staff have seen ladies in Edwardian costume in the Waiting

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An Edwardian Day at Rothley station with Jan and Lol Holmes, Stuart Bailey, Roy Emmett and Roy’s grandchildren. CHRIS MARLOW

Room and on the platform, people have heard someone making up the fire in the Waiting Room when no-one is around. More recently a child has been seen on the stairs! In recent years we have had quite a number of paranormal groups come to the station and they all report having experienced something during their visits.

Over the years we have held several Edwardian events that have given us the opportunity to show off the station. We used to try and theme these and some memorable ones included the visit of Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales to knight that well known actor Roy Emmett and the visit of Baden Powell to inspect troops returning from the Boer War and promote his book Scouting for Boys. We also did several evenings which were popular but usually very cold!

On 6th September, 2015, Rothley will celebrate 40 years since the return of trains back in 1975 when the first train was hauled by Norwegian Railways engine No.377 King Haakon VII. It will also be 46 years since the Rothley Station Action Group was formed by Stuart Bailey, with the aim of restoring and preserving the station.

Incidentally we have one working member, Roy Emmett, who has been a volunteer at the station since 1969!

original Great Central Railway, LNER or even British Railways. Over the last four decades the station has been transformed from a derelict shell into the vibrant complex you see today. People ask what makes Rothley so special. I usually say it’s because it’s in a cutting and so nothing really impinges on the impression of an Edwardian station. But I have to also say it’s the community of people who work there and dedicate many hours be it working on the station, signalbox, Ellis’s, Carriage Shed or model railway which make it so special.

One of the highlights for me was in 2008 when the station won an Ian Allan National Railway Award for the restoration of the station. We were in good company that year as St Pancras station also won an award for their restoration!

What will we see in the future at Rothley? We’ll undoubtedly see trains running down the Mountsorrel branch in the coming year, perhaps double track to Leicester North? Who knows?

The main thing is that the station is still there and performing the function it was designed for 120 years ago.

I’ve mentioned one or two people in this article, but I’d like to dedicate it to the memory of two people that in their own way have had a huge impact on the station and are sadly no longer with us. Madge Sleath and Chris Marlow.

It’s an often stated fact that the current Great Central Railway has run the station for longer than either the 6th September, 1975 and passenger trains are re-introduced to Rothley station. BILL SQUIRES MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 79

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Book Reviews

“Jubilees” and “Jubblys” A trainspotter’s story 1959-64 Parts 1 and 2

By Stewart Warrington Published by Silver Link Publishing Ltd Hardback 157mm high X 108mm wide Part 1 ISBN 978 1 85794 444 0 - 184 pages Part 2 ISBN 978 1 85794 445 7 - 184 pages Price - Each £10 For those who were born in the 1940s and ‘50s these excellent tales of trainspotting days will bring back many happy memories. For those born later they can only lament at the pleasures they have missed!

Stewart Warrington relates tales of trainspotting trips to all parts of the country organised by the Great Central Railway Society of Leicester which was run by an enthusiastic group of schoolboys.

Stewart, being a Leicester resident, had many

local opportunities for spotting with the Midland, Great Central, Great Northern and the former Leicester to Swannington Railway, all having a presence in the town.

The stories are set out in calendar years with Part 1 covering 1959 to August, 1962 and Part 2 covering September, 1962 and 1963. It was a time when the decline of steam had started and began to accelerate rapidly and a time when youngsters were able and confident enough to travel to all corners of the country without the close supervision of their parents. It was also a time when few families had cars and travel was largely by public transport or bicycle if the destination was close by. Dress code for schoolboys for all waking hours was a school uniform with collar and tie, often short trousers and the only change of clothes required for a two night stay away from home was a pair of clean socks!

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The trainspotting trips were very ambitious and didn’t just involve a bicycle ride to the nearest locomotive sheds and depots but involved well organised coach trips to see a multiplicity of locations, some trips even involving an overnight stay.

Each of the trips, along with the adventures and schoolboy pranks, is described in an engaging style with the most notable sightings and “cops” listed. In many cases, a full list of locomotives is given including the date of the trip, the location and the classes and numbers and names of the locomotives seen. Areas visited ranged from Darlington to Bristol so that locomotives from all the regions were seen.

Each book is substantially bound in hardback at a size that matches the original Ian Allan ABCs a nice touch! There are many photographs of locomotives, some taken by Stewart on his Kodak Brownie 127 camera and some by Horace Gamble and Colin Walker. The pages are gloss

Page 88

paper and the whole reproduction is of a high quality.

For many, this will be a welcome trip down Memory Lane no doubt reviving memories of their own trainspotting days. For others, it will be an eye-opener on the pleasures that they have missed and the comradery that was fostered in those long, grubby, grimy but ultimately thoroughly enjoyable days.

Stewart still continues his interest in railways and is a GCR shareholder.

Most readers will recognise a Jubilee as one of Sir William Stanier’s masterpieces but if you still don’t know what a Jubbly was, it was an orangeflavoured ice pyramid which would last for hours and cost just 4d!

Both books are thoroughly recommended for a really enjoyable read and are available in the shop on Loughborough Central.

Putt Ad

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News from the Line Ian was born on 29th June, 1922 ANDREW DOW It is with shock and sadness that at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham.

I report the death of Andrew He would become a governor Dow on 24th April, 2015 at the of the Hospital in 1944 and an age of 71. Members will have almoner there from 1960-89. seen photographs in Main Line No.162 from the Andrew Dow Already a railway enthusiast Collection. In December, 2014 (and regular visitor to the I had been in brief conversation signalbox at Christ’s Hospital with Andrew about a possible station), he left school when contribution to Main Line war broke out to join the which might draw on the Southern’s staff at Waterloo. extensive material of his father, He helped to produce the company’s magazine and George Dow. handle enquiries from the Andrew was Head of the public – and increasingly from National Railway Museum from enthusiasts.

1992 to 1994 when he left suddenly in circumstances that Allan was 20 and a 15s-a-week have never been fully explained. clerk with the Southern He maintained his interest in Railway when he published the railways and was a Vice ABC of Southern Railway President of the Great Central Locomotives in response to Railway Society and the calls from enthusiasts for information.

Management Gresley Society Trust. declined to publish it but Dennis Wilcock allowed Allan to do so at his own risk.

IAN ALLAN OBE, 1922 The first 2,000 copies of the 2015 Ian Allan, who has died the day shilling booklet sold out in days. before his 93rd birthday, Further ABCs on the Great triggered the post-war Western, LNER and LMS explosion of trainspotting as a railways, and London buses, British pastime by publishing trams and trolleybuses, went the first booklet of engine like hot cakes, friends and numbers in 1942 and starting a neighbours helping to distribute club which had 230,000 them. members by the time steam gave way to diesel. He As soon as the war ended, he diversified his business to left the Southern and founded embrace magazines, bookshops, Ian Allan Ltd with a colleague a travel agency, a Masonic and a typist; his father soon publisher, a printing business, joined as financial director. organic garden supplies, commercial property and car While railways remained a national obsession, spotting – dealerships.

and sales of ABCs – declined as steam gave way to diesel. Allan anticipated this and in 1962 formed the Ian Allan group.

In 1946 he had founded Trains Illustrated Magazine (today’s Modern Railways). He became a large-scale publisher of railway books and launched numerous other magazines. He went on to acquire the Oxford Publishing Company (1998), Midland Publishing and Midland Counties Publications (1999) and, in 2002, Classic Publications. The rail magazine business was sold in 2012.

Allan bought the Hastings Miniature Railway with friends in 1948, going there whenever he felt the need for steam. In the 1960s he acquired the Great Cockcrow miniature railway near Chertsey on the death of its founder. When British Rail, at the end of steam, banned steamhauled excursions using privately owned locomotives, he led an ultimately successful campaign for their return.

As the railway preservation movement grew, Allan took an active part. He became president of the Main Line Steam Trust (Great Central Railway), vice-president of the Transport Trust and the Heritage Railways Association, chairman of the Association of Independent Railways and the Dart Valley Railway, and patron of the Mid-Hants Railway. From 1982 to 1984 he served on the Transport Users’

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constitution age for youth membership from 16 to 18 years and to ratify decisions taken at the He married Mollie Franklin in 2010, 2011 and 2013 1947. She and their two sons EGMs (these permitting the Committee to use survive him.

Bob Stephens electronic methods for agreement of resolutions, bringing in three year FRIENDS EGM AND AGM An Extraordinary General memberships instead of Meeting and the Ninth Annual five year memberships, General Meeting of the Friends and some housekeeping of the Great Central Main Line of the constitution). An were held on 27th June, 2015 at item 28(b) resolution to Lovatt House, Wharncliffe lower the quorum for Road, Loughborough, following general meetings with the GCR plc AGM. Six of the item 28 resolutions to 40 Committee were present, from 100 was carried (Note: the quorum is now together with 51 Members. either 40 or 10% of Friends Accounts for year ending 31st At the EGM, Proxy votes Members entitled to vote, January 2015, were approved. received from 178 members whichever shall be the less).

Andy Bennett and Bob Stephens were counted together with the votes of those present in a poll The Minutes of the 2014 AGM retired in accordance with the for the EGM resolutions. The were taken as read and approved. Constitution of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line and Committee extends its thanks to those members who attended Andy Fillingham went through sought re-election to the and those who voted by proxy the highlights of the Accounts. Committee. Both the candidates which together enabled a The Report of the Committee were re-elected. received and the quorum. Item 28(a) Resolutions was Examined Waters & Atkinson were elected were carried to change the Independently as Independent Accountant to the Friends of the Great Central 2000 Club Main Line and the Committee was authorised to fix their Winners of the draws to June 2015 were:remuneration.

April 2015 Steve Evans, Secretary 1st £65.16 No. 142 J Tidmarsh, Carlton 2nd £27.15 No.1294 N D Mundy, Rempstone GCR plc AGM 3rd £16.29 No.1320 N Chaplin, Potters Bar The Great Central Railway plc May 2015 Annual General Meeting 1st £65.34 No.1401 I Wild, Huddersfield (AGM) for the year ended 1st 2nd £27.22 No. 484 G D Greasley, Billericay February, 2015 took place this 3rd £16.34 No. 907 M W Cooper, Kirkbymoorside year on 27th June, 2015 at Lovatt House. The meeting was very June 2015 well attended and consisted of 1st £64.08 No. 1483 R Pettet, Countesthorpe formal business followed by a 2nd £26.70 No. 40 W F Southgate, Ashbourne presentation by Tom Ingall.

3rd £16.02 No.1406 P A Bingley, East Leake Consultative Committee for London. He was appointed OBE in 1995.

K M Lloyd, DCRT 2000 Club Promoter

The meeting was opened at 10:30 by David Morgan in his

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role as Chairman. Apologies After the formal business, were received from Michael questions and open discussion Gregory and Michael Sheppard. was held on: The first item on the agenda was  Overall site security matters, the audited company accounts. including theft and its Peter Morley provided a short consequences presentation supporting  Attracting Government Grants Caroline Pollard as Company  The Reunification project Secretary.  Doubling track from Rothley to Leicester North (not in Total income for the railway has foreseeable future) continued to increase and has  How much of the North now reached £3m, which left a section may be double track profit for the year of £12K, after  The plans/prospects for the revenue grants, interest paid and land between Lovatt House and depreciation. After some brief Loughborough Central station questions, the accounts were passed by the meeting.

Peter Morley Directors Mr W J C Ford, Mr M LINESIDE J Sheppard and Mr D T Morgan PHOTOGRAPHIC retired by rotation and put PERMITS – NEW TERMS themselves up for re-election. EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST All appointments were accepted OCTOBER, 2015 by the meeting en-bloc.

Our lineside photographic permit holders are a valued The next item was to consider, group of members who and if thought fit to pass, the contribute to the railway, both Resolution for the authority to financially, and allot shares up to the authorised also in terms of maximum of £5,000,000 up the good publicity until 26th June 2020. This was their photographs accepted by the meeting. generate for the GCR. We believe The next item was to propose that the lineside Menzies LLP be re-appointed as access privileges auditors which was also granted by our accepted by the meeting. permit scheme are amongst the best The formal business of the AGM on any heritage was then completed. There then railway in the UK followed a discussion, led by and we wish to Tom Ingall, on the need to continue to offer review shareholder benefits. this facility.

Shareholders were invited to submit suggestions to Caroline It has been many Pollard. years since the GCR last Tom Ingall then went on to do reviewed the price an excellent presentation on charged for an Reunification and the Museum. annual permit and

inevitably administration costs have risen in the interim period.

It is therefore proposed to make a modest increase in the annual charge from £30 to £35 for all renewals falling due on or after 1st October, 2015. The one-off additional cost for a first time application for a lineside permit will rise from £5 to £10 – this is to cover the higher cost of the latest standard of Hi-Vis vest which, in line with our current procedure, is individually numbered for each lineside permit holder. Existing permit holders will also have the option to purchase one of these new Hi-Vis vests if they wish to replace their existing one.

Please make your purchase in person from the Booking Office at Loughborough Central Station – you will be required to show your current permit.

At present there is no facility to issue annual renewal reminders

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DCRT ANNUAL GRAND SPRING DRAW

The draw for the annual raffle, administered

by Friends of the Great Central Main Line, took place at Loughborough Central at 4:00pm on 14th June, 2015. This year the proceeds of the raffle will be shared equally by the Bridge to the Future Appeal and the restoration of No.34039 “Boscastle”.

James Tawse, who brought “Boscastle” to the GCR on 22nd January, 1973 as the first James Tawse accompamied by wife Pamela main line locomotive to arrive at the and flanked by Tim Mills draws the winning preserved railway, drew the winning tickets. tickets for the DCRT Draw at Loughborough Many thanks to all those that participated in Central on 14th June, 2015. BOB STEPHENS the draw. Thanks to your participation we raised a magnificent £12,460.

The proceeds provide a welcome boost to the projects on the Great Central Railway.

The list of winners is as follows: 1st Stewart McLoughlin An East Midlands Trains Cab Ride along the Midland Main Line to London 2nd Alan Carstairs Two First Class Tickets for any Railway Touring Company of Great Britain Rail Tour 3rd Ken Betteridge Complimentary overnight stay at The Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel 4th Chris Heeley Pair of East Midlands Trains First Class Tickets on a route of choice 5th Mrs Burke A GCR Bronze footplate experience 6th A R Royo Lunch for two on a GCR Dining Service including a bottle of wine 7th G New Lunch for two on a GCR Dining Service including a bottle of wine 8th Mrs D Carter Footplate ride on a GCR steam locomotive 9th Iain & Halya Pudney Visit to Taylor's Bell Foundry, for a family of four 10th Ken King Bottle of Malt Whisky 11th A A Doughty Bottle of Malt Whisky 12th J Harrison Bottle of Malt Whisky 13th B Davey Bottle of Malt Whisky 14th Adam Baker Bottle of Malt Whisky 15th Bob Littler Bottle of Malt Whisky 16th Peter Brooks Bottle of Malt Whisky 17th Bill Higson Gift Voucher 18th Jim Andrew 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of 'Kings of Road’ 19th J Montgomery One framed print of 9F, No 92212 20th Mrs S D Tilly Bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates 21st Ian Ford A Boscastle one pint Tankard 22nd S A Dale Gift Voucher 23rd N R Featherstone Gift voucher 24th M Booth Gift Voucher 25th James Straw Gift Voucher MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 85

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Stephen Bell of Kirby Muxloe (left) became the 10,000th DALEX participant on 7th August, 2015. He is seen on the footplate of No.46521 with GCR Instructor, Bill Gwilt. GRAHAM WIGNALL

for lineside permits but we are intending to introduce this facility later in the year when an arrangement to harmonise the renewal date of FoGCML membership and lineside permit renewal will be implemented.

Arranging for the two renewals to fall on the same date each year will simplify the administration for both the GCR and for permit holders. Further details on this will be issued at a later date.

For any members of Friends of Great Central Main Line who currently do not hold a Lineside Photographic Permit, but are interested in applying for one, please go to the home page of the GCR website and under the tab The Railway select Lineside Access. After having read

through the important safety notes to check your eligibly an application form can then be downloaded.

was able to enjoy the experience of driving a steam locomotive.

On the footplate of Ivatt Class 2 No.46521 with Bill Gwilt of the GCR’s Locomotive Department as Instructor, Stephen was able to attain boyhood dreams by driving the locomotive along the GCR’s main line.

10,000th DALEX 7th August, 2015 marked a major milestone for the GCR’s famous Drive A Locomotive Experience. On that day, the 10,000th recipient of a DALEX voucher, Mr Stephen Bell of The Drive a Locomotive Kirby Muxloe in Leicestershire, Experience courses on the Great

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For those members who do not have internet access please send a stamped self addressed envelope along with your full name, contact telephone number and membership number to:B A Lycett, 21 Finches Hill, RUGELEY, WS15 2TN. An Order Form will then be posted to you for completion and return along with a cheque payable to GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY Purchasers will be informed when the fleece is ready for collection at Lovatt House Please note that as our supplier has a minimum order quantity of four fleeces there may be a delay until the minimum order quantity is achieved

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From 1st January, 2016 the takings across all sectors of the Adult and Senior annual fees railway suffered. Also, Friends will each rise by £2 to £24 and volunteers were unable to £19 respectively continuing to participate on that day. maintain the differential between these two categories. However, as Sunday offered the The Adult fee has not yet prospect of better weather we reached the level of £25 that set up our stand on Quorn & was charged by a predecessor Woodhouse alongside the of the current Friends, the “Boscastle” stand. Our thanks Friends of the Great Central again go to the station staff for their kind assistance at short Railway, way back in 2006. notice.

All other fees will remain Stephen Bell departs unchanged but the age limit for We raised £150 for the Bridge to Loughborough Central on his Driver Experience. GRAHAM Junior members will be raised the Future Appeal most from WIGNALL from 16 years to 18 giving a train collections by our stalwart Central Railway are able to cater large group of our members collector, Ron Copse, a late for all tastes with steam and vital to our long term future a starter in the tin-rattling diesel courses being available. valued relief from financial business but since last October has collected £1978. A Courses are also tailored to suit pressures. tremendous effort - well done a range of pockets.

Members are reminded that all Ron! To enjoy the experience of a categories of membership are lifetime contact the Booking available for a three year period The next weekend saw Friends Office at Loughborough Central. at three times the current annual on the stand in the huge rate. It is intended to make this marquee in the station yard at much clearer on publicity Quorn & Woodhouse for the FRIENDS OF THE GREAT material and on application and Model Railway Exhibition.

CENTRAL MAIN LINE Much interest was shown, renewal forms.

MEMBERSHIP FEES particularly in the model Facing the increasing costs for showing how things will look in the printing and distribution of FRIENDS STAND Main Line the Committee of The Woodford Gala sadly fell the not to distant future once Friends has reluctantly decided victim to the awful weather on reunification is complete, that it is right to increase some the Saturday clearly putting off although with plans moving at many would-be visitors and an ever changing pace even the of the membership fees.

Main Line Publication Dates

Advance Notice of a Change in the Publication Schedule Because the Editor will be taking an extended holiday from mid - January to the end of February, 2016 there will be a change in the publication schedule for Main Line The new schedule will be: Main Line No.165 - Winter 2015 - 1st December, 2015 (copy deadline 2nd November, 2015) - No Change Main Line No.166 - Spring 2016 - 12th April, 2016 (copy deadline 14th March, 2016) - 6 Week Delay Main Line No.167 - Summer 2016 - 22nd June, 2016 (copy deadline 23rd May, 2016) - 3 Week Delay Main Line No.168 - Autumn 2016 - 1st September, 2016 (copy deadline 1st August, 2016) - No Change Between issues Nos.165 and 166 an extra copy of the Friends Newsletter will be published MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 87

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With Woodthorpe Bridge in the distance the preliminary works by Miller Homes is seen encroaching on the field south of the bridge.

CLIVE HANLEY

Sunday was a poor day due to volunteer shortages on the stand so no train collections were made. However, £125 was placed into our large glass jar making almost £1000 donated over the three days.

model is out of date! Much time was spent explaining the latest information on bridges, Our thanks go to Tom Ingall for embankments, single and his help on the Friday together double tracks, points, with Mike Bancroft, Richard alignments and new distances Kinton and Bill Higson. On Saturday Mike, Richard and and the GCR(N).

Frank Thompson manned the Friday proved to be the best day stand and Sunday Mike, Richard with £525 collected. Bill and Alan Brassey but sadly no Higson's two train trips tin- Friends Committee member was rattling brought in £180. Well available to help! done Bill! Plus £100 selling books and DVD,s. Saturday's Our very grateful thanks go to collections totalled £330 all who donated towards the including master train collector Bridge and to Alan Brassey who John Price with £140. John has set up the stand and removed now collected over £4000 by everything at the end. this method since the appeal began. A tremendous effort Volunteers are always needed John! Well done from us all. and our next appearance will be Whilst at the stand John showed the four day Autumn Gala and us a 1976 copy of Main Line our stand will be at showing him as Stationmaster Loughborough Station Platform at Quorn & Woodhouse. That is No.1 when we hope to help push about forty years service; a fine the Bridge appeal over the magic million mark. servant to his beloved railway.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS As reported in Main Line No.161 a planning application was submitted by Miller Homes (Midlands) to build 200 dwellings to the west of the GCR between the Crematorium and Ling Road (part of the Loughborough ring road).

Permission was granted by Charnwood Borough Council on 13th March, 2015 and already preliminary work has started to prepare the site.

The site will be separated from the GCR by a 1.2 metre high timber post and rail fence.

At the time of writing, no decision had yet been made on the application by William Davis Ltd to build 30 houses on the site east of the GCR just south of the A6 road bridge.

SHORT LISTED FOR BIFFA AWARD The recent improvements which were carried out at Quorn & Woodhouse, funded by a grant from Biffa Award and by DCRT,

The Tin Shed at Quorn & Woodhouse before restoration (left, BRAIN SCREATON) and after restoration in use as a beer tent. DENNIS WILCOCK

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have been shortlisted for an award in the Biffa Awards 2015.

The improvement works included the rebuilding of the Tin Shed, the construction of a verandah at Butler Henderson Café, the provision of disabled parking and pathways to the crossing gate, slabbing to the

area to the other side of the gate, The judge visited Quorn & overhaul of the station staircase Woodhouse on the 14th July, which was affected by structural 2015 and appeared impressed movement, the building of a with the work that had been goods platform and the carried out but we are up against installation of signage and stiff competition, including the information boards.

Guildhall at Lavenham in Suffolk and an Arts Centre in Cardiff. The winner will be

Ever thought of Becoming a First Class Friend?

The additional benefits include: Discounts on First Class train fares 15% Discount on First Class Restaurant Car services 15% discount on train hire costs for Private Charter services Discounts when you bring up to 5 guests on any visit - whether train fare or on one of our famous Dining Car Services!

You will recover your costs in only a couple of visits to the Great Central Railway To join as a First Class Friend go to https://fogcml.gcrailway.co.uk/Join/ For further information on First Class Friends contact the Booking Office on 01509 63 23 23 Please note: The discounts may not apply at some special events

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Scenes from the Model Rail Event. The main marquee with the Tin Shed inside. BOTH: DENNIS WILCOCK, one of the exhibits GRAHAM WIGNALL, Rothley DENNIS WILCOCK and its exhibits. NIGEL SMITH

announced at the Awards Ceremony to be held at Coventry Transport Museum on 1st October, 2015.

However, we have our fingers crossed for an award recognising the enhancement to the Quorn & Woodhouse site which has brought together better facilities for our visitors and an enhanced portrayal of a country station as it would have been on the London Extension.

Brian Screaton and Tom Chaplin GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY MODEL EVENT Building on last year’s excellent “8 mile model railway and engineering exhibition”, the more simply titled, “GCR Model Event” was event more successful due to the clearly efficient teamwork between staff and volunteers of the Great Central Railway and members of the Soar Valley Model Railway Club.

Similar to last year, a range of garden railway exhibits were based at Loughborough and Rothley; the latter also hosting excellent displays from the large scales, up to and including 5” gauge model engineering as presented by the Leicester Society of Model Engineers.

One did wonder whether this could have been augmented by members of the Nottingham Society of Model Engineers based at Ruddington. However, maybe that is in the pipeline for next year?

Quorn & Woodhouse station yard once again hosted the Model Railway Exhibition, based within a huge marquee.

An increased number of layouts and traders certainly ensured that from opening time there was a distinct buzz around the place, even with an early opening on the Friday a most sensible decision by the organisers to consider our visitors when the heavens opened.

All gauges (standard & narrow) and size of layouts were considered covering most railway companies, ensuring there was something for everyone.

The atmosphere among visitors and exhibitors alike ensured the success of the event.

Consideration of the organisers included a special train for exhibitors on the Saturday evening and a regular supply of refreshments brought to the stands – an excellent touch!

One comment summed up another successful event “That was better than Warley!!”

High praise indeed.

Nigel Smith ERRATA In Main Line No.163 errors have come to light.

On page 32 the photograph shows the Gresley buffet car E9124E, not TTO23981. On and is about to pass the Quornpage 67 the location of the Loughborough section signal. bottom photograph is incorrect. Thanks to Phil Thorpe for D123 is on the Down line just spotting these errors. north of Quorn & Woodhouse

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Area Group Reports Leicestershire Area Group John Calton Welcome to the 2015-2016 season of railway themed evenings at Quorn. We trust that you have had a great summer but one in which you have been desperately looking forward to the start of the meetings! We hope that we have put together another varied programme that you will enjoy throughout the winter months.

The guest speaker for our first meeting is David Mitchell, President of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, but this night he will be showing pictures taken on the Isle of Man and around Britain. October brings Terry Curzon for his first visit to Quorn, to describe his life on the footplate of locomotives based at a Nottinghamshire MPD. For the November meeting, we are delighted to welcome a man who has been associated with the GCR for many years; David T Morgan, MBE, who will be giving an insight into his very interesting career. The year ends with our usual steam spectacular from Dave Richards and Karl Jauncey of Preserved Steam on Video.

2016 begins with a presentation from another stalwart of the GCR; John Brooks who will be showing his photographs of steam on the GCR, taken in both the BR and Preservation eras.

Another speaker on his first visit to Quorn is Leicester resident and highly rated photographer, Jason Cross, who provides an evening of quality images of a variety of steam and other traction.

We finish our season with a further welcome visit from Chris Pratt, showing another selection from his large collection of archive railway films.

The full programme for the 2015-2016 Season is as follows: 2015 11th

Friday September – The Isle of Man, & Steam around Britain in the 1960s - This is a double-headed programme presented by David

Mitchell which features scenes from this delightful island’s historic transport on rail and then includes a selection from his extensive collection of photographs taken during the final decade of working steam on British Railways.

Friday 9th October – Firing Days at 36E, Retford - Terry Curzon, who began his life on the railways in 1961 as a cleaner and then on the footplate of mainly freight engines, describes and illustrates his experiences with steam. He later graduated to driving diesel and electric locomotives before rising to be Chief Traction Inspector with Virgin Trains.

Friday 13th November – An Evening with David T Morgan MBE - David, in his legal capacity, has spent a lifetime on the Boards of many heritage railways, the Transport Trust and many more. He is currently Chairman of the GCR plc, former Chairman of the Railway Heritage Association and honoured by The Queen in 2003. Tonight he recalls experiences from his colourful life.

Friday 11th December – Main Line Steam, 2015, on Video - Karl Jauncey and Dave Richards, of Preserved Steam on Video, return again to present the very best of this year’s spectacular steam action on Britain’s main lines.

2016 Friday 8th January – From BR to Preservation on the Great Central Railway – On the verge of the exciting prospect of the unification of the two halves of our railway, Windcutter Project Manager, John Brooks, has delved into his awesome library of slides of steam taken before the line’s closure and up to the present day.

Friday 12th February – Capturing the Present, and Re-Creating the Past – Jason Cross gives a presentation featuring images of steam and other traction that can be seen around Britain today including the London Underground and Blackpool Trams, then using the medium of charters to create scenes reminiscent of yesteryear.

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Friday 11th March – The Nostalgia of Steam on 16mm Cine – A selection of archive railway films seldom seen nowadays in their original format is presented by Chris Pratt. The programme includes footage of St Enoch in the 1930s, London Termini in 1939, a Study of the GCR, a film featuring steam on the main line and more!

All meetings are held at St. Bartholomews Church Hall, Church Lane, Quorn, LE12 8DP near Loughborough, commencing at 7.30pm, on the second Friday of the month from September to March inclusive. Refreshments should be available during the interval. Admission is free although a collection is held to defray costs. Any surplus is used to fund various projects on the GCR. EVERYONE IS WELCOME For further information, contact John Calton on 0116 267 6909, Keith Satterly 0116 253 0990, or Peter Hack 01509 261 094.

Northants Area Group Tony Hemmings We have pleasure in introducing the first part of our 2015/16 season of illustrated talks. As advertised in Main Line No.163 we start the season on 2nd September as follows: Wednesday 2nd September – On and Off the Footplate – A talk, illustrated with slides by Bill Davies. Bill started his railway career at Toton moving to Nottingham Victoria firing the fasts and semi fasts on the GCR. He then moved to Kings Cross where he passed out for driving, later moving to Charing Cross before retiring from Bedford as a driver and manager.

Entertainment not to be missed!

Wednesday 7th October - 1000 eggs on a bicycle - An illustrated talk with Colin Boocock. Some of you may have heard or even seen this programme but we are getting a fully updated version and if you want to know more and satisfy your curiosity then you will need to come along.

Wednesday 4th November - Nene Valley Railway - A talk by Brian Sharpe (Deputy Editor of Heritage Railway) supported with his own slides from 1970 forward for around 40 years starting with the last (DMU) railtour to Oundle bringing us nearly up to present day with all their events and changes.

Wednesday 2nd December - Steaming through Britain - The annual visit by Graham Briggs and his team from GB Productions with their video show of main line and preserved steam throughout the year. The GCR is, of course, well covered with the numerous events in 2015.

As before, all our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month from September to March inclusive at Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Northampton NN3 3EP and start at 7.30pm. Our Catering Dept will be on hand to provide refreshments during the break.

Admission is free but we request your donations to cover costs and hopefully make a little profit so we can make a donation to the GCR. For more information contact Tony Hemmings on 01536 514 341

BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No.92212 carrying a Bachmann headboard runs south on the single line section at Thurcaston during the Model Rail event on 21st June, 2015.

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Through the Letterbox

The Editors welcome brief letters, sent to the address on page seven, on topics of relevance to the Trust and the “Greater” Great Central Railway. Contributors should include their Membership No. The Editors reserve the right to edit contributions for clarity and length.

No.92220 Annesley

“Evening

Star”

at

With the forthcoming Woodford/Annesley steam gala approaching and with No.92214 currently running as No.92220 "Evening Star", I thought I would share my experience of seeing No.92220 for the first time. On 15th August, 1964 I had cycled from my home at Kirkby-inAshfield to look around Annesley shed. To my surprise I saw No.92220 "Evening Star" arrive at Annesley yard on a freight train from the south.

Without further ado I cycled back home to tell my older brother about this sighting. It turned out that he had seen No.92220 before on one of the local Railway Club shed outings but he cycled with me to Annesley hoping to see the engine again. We had just got to the bridge which carried the GCR over the road leading to Newstead Abbey when No.92220 came powering out of Annesley yard, heading south with a return working.

free by collecting coupons from soap flake boxes). However, apart from being a valuable record of the event, it is an interesting photo because it shows Annesley South Junction signalbox along with its up accelerating distant signal.

This was the second of the accelerating distants on the Up goods line between Annesley No.4 and Annesley South Junction. These two accelerating distants gave the driver advance indication of the stop signals worked by Annesley South Junction - very useful to a driver of one of the loose-coupled Runners!

The next signalbox heading south was Hucknall Central (2 miles 1685 yds from Annesley South) and, in the Down direction, an Intermediate Block Signal was provided 1 mile 856 yards from Hucknall Central box. This was presumably there to ease any log-jam of trains entering Annesley yard.

Out of interest, the other engines I noted that day at Annesley were: Nos.76043, 73066, 92190 and 45342.

Malcolm Rush GCR Signalman

I managed to take a photo of this and I attach, for information. The quality is pretty poor (it was actually taken on a camera I got Southern Pacific Class AC12 No.4294 built in 1944 in the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

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The Baldwin cab head locomotive

Boiler in the Wrong Place?

In Main Line No.163, W D Barbut was uncertain of the existence of an American cab-forward locomotive produced in the mid 1940s. There was/is a successful engine type built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in 1944. It was designated as AC12 class (20 built).The wheel configuration being 4-6-6-2 (articulated a la Beyer Garrett).

The class was introduced due to the long tunnels encountered on steep gradients climbing and crossing the Sierra Nevadas. It was considered that driver and fireman were at risk of being overcome by the smoke and combustion gasses of traditional boiler-first locomotives.

However, due to the introduction of diesel motive power the lifespan of this class was short; the last locomotive of this class being withdrawn in 1954. One such locomotive was preserved, restored and run in the 1970s. If anyone wishes to see it in action a video can be found on YouTube (Amazing American Cab Forward Steam Loco posted by RailMon). Wikipedia also has a detailed account of these engines too - well worth a look.

Stephen Cramp Although it would seem to be outside the scope of Main Line I have information for Mr Barbut and the editor concerning cab front locomotives.

These were indeed built in the USA, the earliest before the Great War but they really came into 2884 Type Engine Weight Tender Weight Total Wheelbase

330 tons 197 tons 112’ 2”

BR 9F 87 tons 52.5 tons 55’ 122

their own in 1927 when a second type was built from then until 1943 when 147 were in service.

All were, as Mr Barbut suggested, oil fired, the later engines carrying 4900 gallons of fuel oil.

Used by the Southern Pacific Railroad they were Development Rocker Grates Mechanical Stoker Roller Bearings Welded Firebox

Year Introduced 1896 1905 1926 1922

2-8-8-4 engines built by The Baldwin Locomotive Works at their Philadelphia Works, Pa then at The Eddystone Works, Pa. In the USA they were known as Cab Head locomotives.

Compared to British designs, some of the statistics are awesome as the table below shows.

North American locomotive design and development was way ahead of British thinking as the above list of locomotive detail shows.

Jim Perkins The Editor acknowledges letters giving similar information from Nigel Mund, Alan Bullock, Phil Thorpe and John Palmer.

Property sold to MS&LR

A friend gave me his back copies of Main Line and in one I found reference to the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. My wife had property in Leicester and when it was sold and it being the last one, I was able to keep all the deeds as the property is now on the Land Registry. Her relative, one Caroline Leeder, sold her part of some property in Ruding Street, Leicester to the MS&LR in April, 1897 for the Extension London Railway No.1. The original copy draft with signatures is in my possession. It

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also has a small scale map of the properties involved and we understand that this is part of the old Great Central Station.

We believe that the proceeds of the sale enabled Caroline’s son Lewis to build all the houses on Thirlmere Street and some adjoining in Grasmere Street on land provided by Leicester Corporation. My wife inherited one of the houses in Thirlmere Street.

John Bozzoni An extended article in the ML&SR’s entry into Leicester, prompted by Mr Bozzoni’s letter, will appear in a future edition of Main Line. Editor

Lineside Clearance

Congratulations to the GCR on the recent news of the receipt of funding for the Leicester Museum and of almost reaching the initial target for the Bridge to the Future fund (to which I have made donations).

The GCR is now set to be the premier heritage railway with major attractions at both ends and a mostly double track main line in between but what can it offer the visitors during the journey between these points?

In this respect the GCR is unique in that its direct route took it up and over the countryside resulting in large earthworks and these gave unparalleled views over the countryside from the embankments. I was a daily traveller on the line from the early 1960s until closure and also, when possible, chose to go to London by this line as it was always a joy to be able to see so much from the train.

Unfortunately, the preserved part of the railway is situated on the edge of the Wolds area which, left to nature, means that the normal landscape would be thick woodland. This is seen all along the line where small saplings of the early 1980s have now grown into large trees, resulting in a journey travelling through walls of green for much of the time, even on the embankments.

You can experience this situation on any day of the week on the National Railway Network where this form of neglect seems to be the norm.

I know that resources are limited and priorities have to be set but I feel that a rolling programme

of embankment clearance ought to be initiated (the cuttings can generally be ignored apart from trackside clearance). How about setting up clearance days which may attract people not otherwise involved on the railway? I suggest that the areas to be considered, listing from South to North, are the Thurcaston straight on the down side, Swithland, Kinchley Lane to Quorn & Woodhouse, Loughborough Meadows (A60 to Fox Hill) East Leake Tunnel to Woodgate Road Bridge and Bunny Lane to Gotham Sidings.

Once completed, only occasional sapling removal would be necessary in the future which is a much more manageable situation.

I have written this as I feel that, not withstanding current projects, we have a valuable free asset which is just as important to the visitor experience. Other preserved railways such as The Bluebell, Gloucestershire and Warkwickshire, West Somerset etc. have managed to provide this within their own geographical positions and it makes journeys a pleasure.

The advantages to the railway would be a substantially better visitor experience which could be advertised and appreciated from any type of train operating and also the fact that the public in the area would also be able to see the trains running through the countryside which would provide valuable free publicity. This would be particularly the case from the A6006 Rempstone Road and the Loughborough Meadows/A60/Midland Main Line.

It would be fantastic if some of this could be achieved by the time of the first through services on the combined railway. Then the GCR motto could really said to be recreating the experiences of 1950s Main Line Travel in every respect. This unique GCR asset of extensive countryside panoramas is something that other heritage lines can’t offer and therefore ought not to be ignored.

Roger Kingshott

Woodford etc.

The article on Woodford Halse in the last Main Line reminded me of my only visit.

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When pocket money allowed I made short trips out of London on as many different lines as possible. One trip in August, 1955 involved going to Banbury via Oxford and returning to London via Woodford. I was surprised to find that the two coach shuttle from Banbury was hauled by LMS Rebuilt Royal Scot No.60107 “Royal Lancer” in appalling condition. A second surprise on arrival at Woodford was how small the station and village were. I expected something much larger at a junction on the main line with its own engine shed.

When I booked my ticket the clerk expressed surprise as there was no Up train due for about an hour. He then closed the office and disappeared. During that hour only the passage of a couple of freights disturbed the peace. I was eventually rescued by No.60863, for a one hour 35 minute return to Marylebone.

Two letters in the magazine also caught my attention. In June, 1962 I was a research student

at Leicester University. My daily walk to the University took me under the King Richard Road Bridge. One morning I saw No.70041 “Sir John Moore” pass light engine over the bridge. So, after 53 years I have a probable explanation for this sighting.

Secondly, the mention of cab-forward locomotives. Several examples were built for overseas railways. The Southern Pacific in the USA had over 200 oil burning Mallets for operation over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where a combination of steep gradients and snow shelters made this intolerable for the crews of conventional locomotives. The nearest such design on the LNER was the U1 Garratt.

However, this worked chimney first on the Worsborough Branch but I suppose any advantage of running cab first would have been negligible when there are one or two locomotives belching out smoke ahead of you!

Antony Hall

COMING IN AUTUMN 2015…

Another selection of twelve spectacular images, six in colour and six black & white, of the Great Central Railway by photographer Andrew Rapacz, in a glossy collectible calendar

Priced at just £10 its a great Christmas present with all profits going to the Bridge to the Future Appeal Watch the GCR website for ordering and availability details

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FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL

COMMITTEE: Andy Fillingham (Chairman & Treasurer), Steve Evans (General Secretary), Alan Brassey (Membership Secretary), Dennis Wilcock (Publications Secretary), Andy Bennett, Brian Phillips, Bob Stephens Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY plc

Authorised Share Capital £5,000,000 Registered Office GREAT CENTRAL STATION, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1RW Registered No.1257394 England President: M Gregory Vice President: M J Sheppard DIRECTORS: D T Morgan (Chairman), W J C Ford (Managing Director), R Patching (General Manager), K Byass, M J Sheppard, E H Smith Company Secretary: C Pollard General Enquiries Telephone: Loughborough (01509) 632 323 Fax: Loughborough (01509) 632 366 Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk Email: sales@gcrailway.co.uk

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (NOTTINGHAM) LTD

Registered Office NOTTINGHAM HERITAGE CENTRE, MERE WAY, RUDDINGTON FIELDS, RUDDINGTON, NOTTINGHAM, NG11 6NX Registered No. 4277779 England DIRECTORS: B O’Hanlon (Chairman), P M Stanway (Secretary), M Fairburn, M Fowler, R A Hull, R A Kemp, D Morris, A S Newcombe, R Whalley, P D Wilson General Enquiries Telephone: Nottingham (0115) 940 5705 Fax: Nottingham (0115) 940 5905 email: info@gcrn.co.uk Internet: www.gcrn.co.uk

THE DAVID CLARKE RAILWAY TRUST Incorporating Main Line Steam Trust Ltd

A Registered Charity supporting the Great Central Railway Registered Charity No.1104839 LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL TRUSTEES: C I Baines, W J C Ford, M Freckelton, K M Lloyd, R J S Stephens Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk/dcrt MainLine l Issue 164 l Autumn 2015 l 97

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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (NOTTINGHAM) 2015

MERE WAY, RUDDINGTON, NOTTINGHAM NG11 6NX Tel: 0115 940 5705 Miles Station

Timetable A (Blue)

Ruddington (Dep) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Arr) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Dep) Loughborough† (Arr) Loughborough† (Dep) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Arr) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Dep) Ruddington (Arr)

0 3.5 3.5 9 9 3.5 3.5 0

† = There are no passenger facilities at Loughborough to board or alight from trains.

The services are operated by Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCR(N)), to whom all enquiries should be addressed.

At special weekends and some Bank Holidays these timetables may be suspended and services run as required – see our “Special Events” page.

Note: While every effort will be made to maintain the above services and times, GCR(N) does not guarantee that trains will depart or arrive at the time published and reserve the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train and/or service without notice and will not accept any liability for loss, inconvenience or delay thereby caused.

GCR(N) accepts no liabilities for inaccuracy in the information published here.

11:00 11:20 11:25 11:41 11:49 12:09 12:15 12:35

13:00 13:20 13:25 13:41 13:49 14:09 14:15 14:35

Timetable B (Yellow)

15:00 15:20 15:25 15:41 15:49 16:09 16:15 16:35

10:30 10:50 10:54 11:10 11:12 11:28 11:32 11:52

12:15 12:35 12:39 12:55 12:57 13:13 13:17 13:37

14:00 14:20 14:24 14:40 14:42 14:58 15:02 15:22

15:45 16:05 16:09 16:25 16:27 16:43 16:47 17:07

GCR(N) Special Events 2015 5th & 6th April 26th April

Fantastic Easter “Eggspress” Steam Specials Road Transport Event

3rd & 4th May

Edward the Bear Specials

17th May

Family Fun Day

14th June

Spring English Electric Running Day (Subject To Confirmation)

11th & 12th July

Summer Diesel Extravaganza (Subject to Confirmation)

19th July

Nottingham Area Bus Society gathering and running day

1st & 2nd August

Model Rail Extravaganza

9th August

Stewart Classic Vehicle Register Summer Gathering

30th & 31st August

Edward the Bear Specials

13th September

Autumn Sulzer Running Day (Subject to Confirmation)

11th October

Road Transport Event

7th November

Firework Spectacular

Saturdays & Sundays 28th November – 20th December

Santa Specials

24th December 27th & 28th December

Christmas Eve Santa Steam Specials Winter Holiday Trains

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 (NOTTINGHAM) M

T

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

M

T

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

January ‘15 W T F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

April ‘15 T 2 9 16 23 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

July ‘15 T 2 9 16 23 30

S 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

F 3 10 17 24

S 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

S 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

M

T

February ‘15 W T F

S

3 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

W

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

May ‘15 T F 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

Su 3 10 17 24 31

M

T

W

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

Su 2 9 16 23 30

M

T

November ‘15 W T F

S

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

October ‘15 W T F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

5 12 19 26

August ‘15 T F 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

Su 1 8 15 22

March ‘15 T F

M

T

W

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

M 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24

June ‘15 T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

Su 7 14 21 28

M

T 1 8 15 22 29

September ‘15 W T F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

S 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

T 1 8 15 22 29

December ‘15 W T F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 31

S 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M 7 14 21 28

S

(Dates in RED = Special Event. See Website for further information and timetables)

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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 BRITAIN’S DOUBLE TRACK MAIN LINE STEAM RAILWAY GREAT CENTRAL STATION, LOUGHBOROUGH LE11 1RW

Weekends

D

March to 15th November Loughborough Central Quorn & Woodhouse Rothley Leicester North Leicester North Rothley Quorn & Woodhouse Loughborough Central

dep dep dep arr dep dep dep arr

9:40 9:48 9:58 10:08 10:10 10:21 10:29 10:36

Midweek Loughborough Central Quorn & Woodhouse Rothley Leicester North Leicester North Rothley Quorn & Woodhouse Loughborough Central

D 10:00 10:09 10:20 10:30 10:45 10:57 11:08 11:15

D

11:00 11:09 11:20 11:30 11:45 11:57 12:08 12:15

12:00 12:09 12:20 12:30 12:45 12:57 13:08 13:16

* dep dep dep arr dep dep dep arr

10:15 10:24 10:35 10:45 11:00 11:12 11:23 11:30

11:15 11:24 11:35 11:45 12:00 12:12 12:23 12:30

13:00 13:09 13:20 13:30 13:45 13:57 14:08 14:16

* 12:15 12:24 12:35 12:45 13:00 13:12 13:23 13:30

13:15 13:24 13:35 13:45 14:00 14:12 14:23 14:30

13:15

14:15 14:24 14:35 14:45 15:00 15:12 15:23 15:30

14:07 14:20 14:47 *

14:15 14:24 14:35 14:45 15:00 15:12 15:23 15:30

15:15 15:24 15:35 15:45 16:00 16:12 16:23 16:30

A

M

A

A SO

M SO

M SO

15:15 15:24 15:35 15:45 16:00 16:12 16:23 16:30

15:45 15:53 16:03 16:13 16:25 16:30 16:38 16:52

16:15 16:23 16:33 16:43 16:55 17:00 17:08 17:23

19:00

19:00

20:20

20:03 20:25

19:28 19:40

20:47 21:00

21:46

20:06

21:46

Griddle Car - Hot and Cold Refreshments Restaurant Car - Advanced ticket holders only Limited non-dining passenger accommodation Runs in March and November only Runs April to October Hauled by heritage diesel or multiple unit Saturdays Only - The Charnwood Forester This train may be steam or diesel hauled Special Event - Enhanced timetable may apply Contact GCR for details Santa Special and Santa Deluxe - Contact GCR for details

M A D SO *

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 M

Tu

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

M

Tu

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

January ’15 W Th F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

April ’15 Th 2 9 16 23 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

July ’15 Th 2 9 16 23 30

Sa 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

F 3 10 17 24

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

F 3 10 17 24 31

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

Sa 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

October ’15 W Th F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

M

Tu

February ’15 W Th F

Sa

2 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

W

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

May ’15 Th F 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

Sa 2 9 16 23 30

M

Tu

W

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

M 2 9 16 23 30

March ’15 Th F

M

Tu

W

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

Su 3 10 17 24 31

M 1 8 15 22 29

Tu 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24

June ’15 Th 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

Sa 6 13 20 27

Su 7 14 21 28

Su 2 9 16 23 30

M

7 14 21 28

Sa 1 8 15 22 29

Tu 1 8 15 22 29

September ’15 W Th F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

Sa 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

Tu

November ’15 W Th F

Sa

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 28

Tu 1 8 15 22 29

December ’15 W Th F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 31

Sa 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

August ’15 Th F 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

Su 1 8 15 22

7 14 21 28

M 7 14 21 28

Sa

The Great Central Railway cannot accept any responsibility for any consequences arising from the late running or cancellation of any of the advertised services.

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