Robert Stephenson's "Swannington Incline"

Extract from the sign at the entrance:

"On this site in 1932 Robert Stephenson built a rope hauled incline plane as part of the Leicestershire and Swannington Railway to transport coal from the mines of Swannington and Coleroton to the principle market of Leicester. The system operated for 115 Years."

Upon further reading of the various signs around the site, the original mechanical workings from the buildings, as seen undergoing restoration, are currently preserved in the National Railway Museum.

For anybody interested in visiting this site, the easiest way of getting there is by road, by means of taking the A42 (M) exit 13, then take the A511 towards Coalville. At the first roundabout, take the first exit onto Hough Hill. Continue down this road, over the level crossing, then take the second right onto "Spring Lane". Within a couple of mins you arrive, however parking is somewhat limited so you may have to park on the road.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• coalville
• leicestershire
• railway
• line
• rail
• way
• incline
• Rail Transport
• swannington
• swannick
• coal
• stephenson
• robert
• national
• museum

[heabow]

Thank you for sharing this... very interesting glimpse of history - a unique and unusual video - well done. . . Peter

[KBRAILVIDEOS]

@heabow Thanks. Yes unusual seeing as there is no rolling stock to have been filmed. Hope the project continues. Cheers

[howarth004]

Very interesting a nice piece of history preserved (partly)

[KBRAILVIDEOS]

@howarth004 Many thanks

[robmasterman]

A fascinating video K, and something I wasn't aware of before, so thanks for that...Bob

[KBRAILVIDEOS]

@robmasterman Many thanks. To be honest, I knew it was there, but I didn't know what it was for. I stumbled across it when I was cycling in the area about 10years ago, but happened to be in the area recently so went about looking for it again, and found it quite interesting my self whilst there. I only went approx 1/2 way down the incline, it was too hot and steep to be going further down. Cheers

[001ttg]

About 3 miles from me, but I never knew about this place

[bobnweaver]

Very interesting indeed. Well done for sharing this.