Very interesting video, I travelled via Nottingham Vic in 1963 when I went to Cranwell. The Station was fascinating, there was this giant station with hardly any passengers but a continuous procession of iron ore trains for S. Wales.
I do agree that the GCR was a very fine line, Watkin, the GCR chairman, viewed it as part of an overall line from the Midlands to Europe via the Channel tunnel, unfortunately his schemes never materialised.
I remember being fascinated by the "Big hole in the ground" outside the bus station (back in early 90's) and thinking 'What a waste'. The more I dug into the story of the GCR the more annoyed I got, The perfect railway by all accounts - and exactly what the Government is today proposing with it's plans for a new HSL through the country - Well, we had one!
@AustinSomerset Quite right! Larger loading gauge too. If they used the section S. of Rugby for the line to Birmingham it would surely be cheaper and quicker than building a new line from scratch.
@JimTLonW6 I'd like to think so - but for some reason whenever a line reinstatement is talked about, the 'powers that be' always manage to make it look more expensive than equivalent road schemes. I don't understand that mentality - I certainly don't understand the maths! :) For me it always seems the obvious solution! I do remember reading that when they have taken down bridges along the GCR, surveyors have noted that the quality of the brickwork was always good even after all the years!
Great memories, but a little confusing to me. Most of the locomotives I see on this video would have been on the tracks of the Midland line, which would be at Nottm Midland station, and what is the G.W. loco doing on threr too??
@DBD34GS I think the answer is that the former GCR was transferred to LMR. The GW engine probably worked a cross country service via Banbury and Woodford Halse; there were a lot of trains on this route at one time.
Excellent piece of nostalgic film. They should have kept Nottingham Victoria, instead of keeping Nottingham Midland open. It was more central, and could now be providing local commuter services along with the circle line...
There's a dream like quality to this film! Of course the GCR loading gauge was generous enough for GWR engines to turn up- and overshoot the turntable! Amazing footage.
What a superb piece of nostalgia. Thankyou for posting this. Just as an historical note, Royal Scot No.46163 'Civil Service Rifleman' (6:01 to 6:16), was scrapped very close to where I live, here in the South Wales valleys.
There are still a lot of tunnels under Nottingham that have not been filled in - except for the ends. What with all the coal mine lines around the county, it really was a paradise for enthusiasts.
Wow. thanks so much for this. Last time I searched for films of nottm vic there was nothing. Thank god someone had the forsight to make these movies before they converted it into an ugly concrete retail block :-(
My 1st recolletion of N/Vic was back in 57, I was 8 at the time, we traveled all the way to north Wales for a 2wk stay at Butlins H/camp, I do recall at Crewe seeing GWR 1007 County of Hereford pass by out carrage window,its the only thing I remember of the journey
Some excellent footage here. I love the re-railing of the GWR loco, and the vintage vehicles in the breakdown train.
TheMiserablegit 2 months ago
Superb footage, thanks. And that's from a "Southern" man :)
spiccybaby 5 months ago
That diesel-electric loco must have seemed very alien and futuristic at that time!
xesionprince 5 months ago
That site would make a great shopping precinct if they decide to close the station.....
LeamingtonSteve 10 months ago
Thankyou!
stoneagepunk 11 months ago
Very interesting piece of footage.Could I upload this to two British steam sites (Railway World TV and Steam Tube) of which I am an active member?
SuperBostyn 1 year ago
Thank you Mr Beeching!!!!
Time has poved that the closing of the GC was a huge blunder.
triand43 1 year ago
thanks for sharing this, great upload!
Sadly all gone now...happy days
Barryat11 1 year ago
Very interesting video, I travelled via Nottingham Vic in 1963 when I went to Cranwell. The Station was fascinating, there was this giant station with hardly any passengers but a continuous procession of iron ore trains for S. Wales.
I do agree that the GCR was a very fine line, Watkin, the GCR chairman, viewed it as part of an overall line from the Midlands to Europe via the Channel tunnel, unfortunately his schemes never materialised.
JimTLonW6 1 year ago
What a beautiful station, quite imposing I mimage for children but what a shame its gone
lillabethsmum 1 year ago
I remember being fascinated by the "Big hole in the ground" outside the bus station (back in early 90's) and thinking 'What a waste'. The more I dug into the story of the GCR the more annoyed I got, The perfect railway by all accounts - and exactly what the Government is today proposing with it's plans for a new HSL through the country - Well, we had one!
AustinSomerset 2 years ago 2
@AustinSomerset Quite right! Larger loading gauge too. If they used the section S. of Rugby for the line to Birmingham it would surely be cheaper and quicker than building a new line from scratch.
JimTLonW6 1 year ago
@JimTLonW6 I'd like to think so - but for some reason whenever a line reinstatement is talked about, the 'powers that be' always manage to make it look more expensive than equivalent road schemes. I don't understand that mentality - I certainly don't understand the maths! :) For me it always seems the obvious solution! I do remember reading that when they have taken down bridges along the GCR, surveyors have noted that the quality of the brickwork was always good even after all the years!
AustinSomerset 1 year ago
Great memories, but a little confusing to me. Most of the locomotives I see on this video would have been on the tracks of the Midland line, which would be at Nottm Midland station, and what is the G.W. loco doing on threr too??
DBD34GS 2 years ago
@DBD34GS I think the answer is that the former GCR was transferred to LMR. The GW engine probably worked a cross country service via Banbury and Woodford Halse; there were a lot of trains on this route at one time.
JimTLonW6 1 year ago
Great piece of railway history 5*...and thanks for sharing it.
modemeyes 2 years ago
Excellent piece of nostalgic film. They should have kept Nottingham Victoria, instead of keeping Nottingham Midland open. It was more central, and could now be providing local commuter services along with the circle line...
luvmostmusic 2 years ago 2
Think I should have spent my paper round money going to Nottingham instead of Crewe in 1964!
knausspiano 2 years ago 2
There's a dream like quality to this film! Of course the GCR loading gauge was generous enough for GWR engines to turn up- and overshoot the turntable! Amazing footage.
NickRatnieks 2 years ago
thank you for sharing the history
rammergramps 3 years ago
Thank you for a great video.
taffy402 3 years ago
What a superb piece of nostalgia. Thankyou for posting this. Just as an historical note, Royal Scot No.46163 'Civil Service Rifleman' (6:01 to 6:16), was scrapped very close to where I live, here in the South Wales valleys.
musicindetail 3 years ago
Very good material.
*****
stuartthegrant 3 years ago
There are still a lot of tunnels under Nottingham that have not been filled in - except for the ends. What with all the coal mine lines around the county, it really was a paradise for enthusiasts.
simpson30 3 years ago
A good video and a good mix of locomotives (including some of mine lol). The the high vantage points make it look like a model railway at times.
LMSStanier 3 years ago
Beautiful video.. Big history..!
fredmentor 3 years ago
Beautiful movie.. History!
fredmentor 3 years ago
Wonderful video, made even better because you resisted the temptation to add a silly music soundtrack.
crazyh0rse 3 years ago
What's the story behind the GWR'Hall'that appears to have come off the turntable?
sayajarao 3 years ago
Wow. thanks so much for this. Last time I searched for films of nottm vic there was nothing. Thank god someone had the forsight to make these movies before they converted it into an ugly concrete retail block :-(
richardsnow 3 years ago
My 1st recolletion of N/Vic was back in 57, I was 8 at the time, we traveled all the way to north Wales for a 2wk stay at Butlins H/camp, I do recall at Crewe seeing GWR 1007 County of Hereford pass by out carrage window,its the only thing I remember of the journey
John
johnebigguns 4 years ago
Wonderful. What a mistake it was to close the GC! (And now Notts Victoria is a shopping centre.)
Great reminder...I count mysef lucky to be the last generation who saw BR steam at work (though mostly in Wales and on the Southern).
As they say in Nottigham, 'Thanks Mi' Duck'
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago