@scot4u The Merchant Navy Pacific at 5:12 in the video is 35030 'Elder Dempster Lines' heading the LCGB 'Great Central Railtour' from Waterloo to Sheffield (joining the GC at Neasden) on the 3rd September 1966 and returning later the same day to Marylebone. The Aylesbury - Rugby section of the GC closed on 4th September 1966 and through services from London to the East Midlands were withdrawn.
@ 4.10: West Bridge. Oh my goodness, the memories. I caught the bus to here & walked to school along the cut. Left Leicester, came back >20yrs later; nearly crashed car - GCR all gone! Moored our narrowboat @ Castle Gardens last summer & spent a long time looking & dreaming & trying to hear A3s in my mind. Terrifically atmospheric video. Thank you.
It's published and available! LOTS more on West Bridge, etc. there. A new update on the history of the Leicester to Swannington line available as an e-publication (PDF format on CD). 630 pages; hundreds of new photographs. More details and how to get hold of a copy on the Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS) website - just google on LIHS: should be towards top of results. Then go to News page and follow link from there.
That's cool. I live near the old Great Central line in Rugby. And I've always wondered what it must have been like when it was operational. It would be great if anyone has old film of the GC from the Rugby area.
Scot4u, if you read the comments it was a special. But I'm sure trains worked along the GC from Bournmouth, so Southern locos & stock were a possibility.
wot a great peace of video history.....wish i was old enough to of enjoyed them for real......lets hope they get the money they need to replace the bridge over the midland mainline at loughboro and give us back at least 18 miles of mainline steam heaven.....in my opinion it should never of been closed in the first place.
Just hope some of this is reborn as HIGH SPEED 2. It would make common sense, the old GC only had one Level crossing, easy gradients and superior loading gauge to assist with Electrification...and it mirrors the M1
totally cool video whoever made it :) I grew up riding those trains. Huffing of the engine, hissing of the steam, clunking of the carriages.....all gone now :(
A rarity for fans of the Jubilee class. 45715 'Invincible' and 45735 'Comet' are seen here with smoke deflectors similar to the 461xx Royal Scot rebuilds.
These archives are a goldmine. I wonder YouTube even suspects what value it's been creating here.
I never tire of watching this. I was an eleven year old standing at Ashby Magna station when the special with 34002 went through. I also have earlier memories of being taken to Abbey park by my parents and watching the steam engines with maroon coaches. Another was the constant stream of runners from our regular meeting place of the engineering company yard where the central crossed the Leicester to Nuneaton line at Whetstone. Excellent.
Cool, I went down to Whetstone a few weeks ago to have a look at the viaduct, it is still in remarkably good condition. Do you remember trains going over it?
Yes, I can remember trains going over the viaduct. It was the next structure to our regular meeting place, you could just about see it from there. Unfortunately I don't have any records of what engines they were, it would have been in the early sixties, perhaps 1962 to the end of through trains. Most were runners (freight trains) with 9f engines, there were a few standard 4 or 5 types and I have vague memories of an odd WD engine.
Recently discussion has looked at a possible extension south of Leicester North station, to a new station 1 mile away, at Beaumont Leys Lane, close to the Abbey Pumping Station, National Space Centre, Abbey Park, and ultimately Leicester city centre. The extension would be single track from Leicester North, and would be for passenger use only. A run-around loop would be located at Beaumont Leys Lane, along with a single platform and station facilities.
Crossing the busy Red Hill Way to reach the embankment at the far side is a major challenge in extending southExtending to the Abbey Lane area would require the demolition of part of the platform at Leicester North, and bridging the Leicester Outer Ring Road and Thurcaston Road. Extending to Leicester
Central was once an option considered by the railway, but pulled out of talks with the Council, stating that the restoration and rebuilding works would be too expensive and would not fit in with the Council's timetable for the area.
The project would require on rebuilding the missing arches of the old north viaduct reinstate a newly rebuilt Northgate Street bridge between the viaduct & Leicester central & half of the factories built in way would have to be demolished whilst other half built taller to make way for the double track extension.
This project may yet happen as soon as the Loughborough Gap is bridged to join the two sections of the Heritage GCSR together.
It makes me sad and angry that the GCR was closed. In fact, I'm angry at what was done to Britain's railways in the 60s and since with the damn Beeching Report, scrapping of steam, under investment, closing of Swindon Works in 1986, etc. We have thrown away our industrial heritage and now have a joke service economy which is in big trouble as we make nothing the world needs and have millions of youngsters with no training, apprenticeships and no productive future.
Excellent footage. I saw that special with 34002 leaving Aylesbury - date was July 1966 I think. Was on the one with 35030, that was the LCGB GC Farewell Railtour on 3 September 1966. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be though. Ex-GC locations where the GWR and SR engines outnumber the LNER ones - just a single B1. Sign of those times unfortunately. The LMR killed off the GC because it competed with their own route from St Pancras.
What a wonderful collection of precious memories.Great Job and many thanks. I am 54 years old now, and I remember those days as if yesterday. One of life's major mistakes...Closing the GCR.
Yeh. I can hear sound in the imagination. I 'specially like the roofscape and chimney shots from the train. Steam as I remember it.. Thanks VERY much.
I wasnt awhare that wc pacifics came through Leicester
scot4u 4 months ago
@scot4u The Merchant Navy Pacific at 5:12 in the video is 35030 'Elder Dempster Lines' heading the LCGB 'Great Central Railtour' from Waterloo to Sheffield (joining the GC at Neasden) on the 3rd September 1966 and returning later the same day to Marylebone. The Aylesbury - Rugby section of the GC closed on 4th September 1966 and through services from London to the East Midlands were withdrawn.
Chafford1 4 months ago
Great Stuff and a sight for sore eyes! A bloody classic with a mix of traction: Southern & GWR included!
Isochest 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
very good film, it was most interesting to see that SR locos worked as far North as Leicester.
JimTLonW6 11 months ago
@ 4.10: West Bridge. Oh my goodness, the memories. I caught the bus to here & walked to school along the cut. Left Leicester, came back >20yrs later; nearly crashed car - GCR all gone! Moored our narrowboat @ Castle Gardens last summer & spent a long time looking & dreaming & trying to hear A3s in my mind. Terrifically atmospheric video. Thank you.
PGD5051 1 year ago
It's published and available! LOTS more on West Bridge, etc. there. A new update on the history of the Leicester to Swannington line available as an e-publication (PDF format on CD). 630 pages; hundreds of new photographs. More details and how to get hold of a copy on the Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS) website - just google on LIHS: should be towards top of results. Then go to News page and follow link from there.
Enjoy it!
Keith Drury
LancastrianScot 1 year ago
That's cool. I live near the old Great Central line in Rugby. And I've always wondered what it must have been like when it was operational. It would be great if anyone has old film of the GC from the Rugby area.
Grichal1981 1 year ago
Looks like someone has made a really detailed, very realistic scale model of a steam railway. I am not used to seeing steam in colour.
edj66 1 year ago
BRILLIANT! Evocative nostalgia. Still can't believe it's fifty years ago. Many thanks for sharing.
sirhectimere 1 year ago
I remember trains around Leicester back in the 1960s when I was a lad. Cool
locomotive1804 2 years ago
Happy memories for me.! many thanks for the video it`s amazing..
GAVIOLITOM 2 years ago
Scot4u, if you read the comments it was a special. But I'm sure trains worked along the GC from Bournmouth, so Southern locos & stock were a possibility.
HJS19 2 years ago
You would never get a bulied pacific and arake of southern coaches any where near Leicester
scot4u 2 years ago
Felt as if I should join in the congardulations as its one of the best vids I've seen of that era. Thanks!
modemeyes 2 years ago 3
Wow, the short snatch of the west bridge area brought back childhood memories
swarri77 2 years ago 2
Christ i've walked a lot of this area and you just can't believe how it was. 55A
MK55A 2 years ago
wot a great peace of video history.....wish i was old enough to of enjoyed them for real......lets hope they get the money they need to replace the bridge over the midland mainline at loughboro and give us back at least 18 miles of mainline steam heaven.....in my opinion it should never of been closed in the first place.
muthatrucka2 2 years ago
Just come across this 'masterpiece of nostalgia'.....will enjoy over and over again, with a tear in my eye!
micko442 2 years ago 4
Just hope some of this is reborn as HIGH SPEED 2. It would make common sense, the old GC only had one Level crossing, easy gradients and superior loading gauge to assist with Electrification...and it mirrors the M1
cleckheatoncentral 2 years ago
totally cool video whoever made it :) I grew up riding those trains. Huffing of the engine, hissing of the steam, clunking of the carriages.....all gone now :(
Pity progress wiped it out.
rodtemplar 2 years ago 2
A rarity for fans of the Jubilee class. 45715 'Invincible' and 45735 'Comet' are seen here with smoke deflectors similar to the 461xx Royal Scot rebuilds.
These archives are a goldmine. I wonder YouTube even suspects what value it's been creating here.
tfftfftff86 2 years ago
I never tire of watching this. I was an eleven year old standing at Ashby Magna station when the special with 34002 went through. I also have earlier memories of being taken to Abbey park by my parents and watching the steam engines with maroon coaches. Another was the constant stream of runners from our regular meeting place of the engineering company yard where the central crossed the Leicester to Nuneaton line at Whetstone. Excellent.
foxontourthesecond 3 years ago 2
Cool, I went down to Whetstone a few weeks ago to have a look at the viaduct, it is still in remarkably good condition. Do you remember trains going over it?
swingballbros 3 years ago
Yes, I can remember trains going over the viaduct. It was the next structure to our regular meeting place, you could just about see it from there. Unfortunately I don't have any records of what engines they were, it would have been in the early sixties, perhaps 1962 to the end of through trains. Most were runners (freight trains) with 9f engines, there were a few standard 4 or 5 types and I have vague memories of an odd WD engine.
foxontourthesecond 3 years ago
brilliant.....thanks for posting (nice to see those 2 wonderful southern engines)
exeter34001 3 years ago
Recently discussion has looked at a possible extension south of Leicester North station, to a new station 1 mile away, at Beaumont Leys Lane, close to the Abbey Pumping Station, National Space Centre, Abbey Park, and ultimately Leicester city centre. The extension would be single track from Leicester North, and would be for passenger use only. A run-around loop would be located at Beaumont Leys Lane, along with a single platform and station facilities.
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
Crossing the busy Red Hill Way to reach the embankment at the far side is a major challenge in extending southExtending to the Abbey Lane area would require the demolition of part of the platform at Leicester North, and bridging the Leicester Outer Ring Road and Thurcaston Road. Extending to Leicester
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
Central was once an option considered by the railway, but pulled out of talks with the Council, stating that the restoration and rebuilding works would be too expensive and would not fit in with the Council's timetable for the area.
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
The project would require on rebuilding the missing arches of the old north viaduct reinstate a newly rebuilt Northgate Street bridge between the viaduct & Leicester central & half of the factories built in way would have to be demolished whilst other half built taller to make way for the double track extension.
This project may yet happen as soon as the Loughborough Gap is bridged to join the two sections of the Heritage GCSR together.
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
Fantastic- some of the locations are still recognisable- the old Central station for eg
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
It makes me sad and angry that the GCR was closed. In fact, I'm angry at what was done to Britain's railways in the 60s and since with the damn Beeching Report, scrapping of steam, under investment, closing of Swindon Works in 1986, etc. We have thrown away our industrial heritage and now have a joke service economy which is in big trouble as we make nothing the world needs and have millions of youngsters with no training, apprenticeships and no productive future.
I'm a Leics boy in Tokyo..
Rentaghost76 3 years ago
Excellent footage. I saw that special with 34002 leaving Aylesbury - date was July 1966 I think. Was on the one with 35030, that was the LCGB GC Farewell Railtour on 3 September 1966. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be though. Ex-GC locations where the GWR and SR engines outnumber the LNER ones - just a single B1. Sign of those times unfortunately. The LMR killed off the GC because it competed with their own route from St Pancras.
34Bbridgeboy 3 years ago
Wow I was going to say that I was surprised at the number of SR and WR locos about!
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago
Great film. I grew up in Leicester but now live in Florida. Brought back HUGE memories. Do you have any more....plleeaassee.
mtcans00 3 years ago
What a wonderful collection of precious memories.Great Job and many thanks. I am 54 years old now, and I remember those days as if yesterday. One of life's major mistakes...Closing the GCR.
ringowillis 3 years ago
Yeh. I can hear sound in the imagination. I 'specially like the roofscape and chimney shots from the train. Steam as I remember it.. Thanks VERY much.
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing this, no sound but who needs it, just remember the sounds and the smoke. Amazing quality for the year
STEVE310853 4 years ago