Great Central becomes Tram Line


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One of the extensions of the tram system is the line going through the Meadows, Wilford, and on to Clifton. For part of its route it follows the old Great Central line south of Nottm. Here's a few photos of the current state of things; people who used to know these various areas and haven't been back may be in for a bit of a surprise.

Wilford end of Queens Drive with my back to the Toll Bridge; the tall building is the site of the former Cremorne pub, and the row of trees to the right of it are along Queens Drive

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram2.jpg

The top end of Wilford Road! Cremorne is on the right, and the old Walsall Conduit building is on the left

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram4.jpg

Looking down Queens Drive, with the railway station visible at the top end.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram6.jpg

Toll Bridge, from the Meadows side with the Toll House

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram5.jpg

Bridge is being widened and reinforced for trams

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram3.jpg

The location where the GC used to cross Wilford Lane - the reason low-bridge buses were needed

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram7.jpg

Looking towards Nottm along the GC embankment which ran parallel with Ruddington Lane

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tram1.jpg

Coronation Avenue in Wilford where there used to be a small GC bridge

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/other.jpg

How the previous picture used to look

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/kc29_2010/tramold.jpg

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Is it still possible to use Wilford bridge while work is being done ?

If so I can get off the South Notts at Wilford Green bus & walk into Nottingham as I haven't done so for about two years

I could the have a look at the tram works myself.

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Yes it is walkable. It's a bit like walking through a building site, but they have kept footpaths open - even put temporary street lights up.

Thanks for a quick answer Clifton I might have a look round t'marra. :)

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  • 1 year later...

A few more.

Wilford Toll Bridge looking towards Nottingham.

tram4-1.jpg

The Toll House, still in use as a snack bar.

tram2-2.jpg

Looking up Queen's Drive towards Nottingham. The block on the left is approximately where the Cremorne Hotel used to be.

tram8-1.jpg

More like a railway than a tram, going past Compton Acres on the right.

tram1-4.jpg

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Sad,

I remember countless walks over this bridge with my Grandfather.

He had an allotment adjacent to the Trent, just past the small bridge on Coronation Avenue.

It always seemed to be hot and sunny and my brother and I we would be carted over in his gardening barrow.

On the left was a small lake / pond a good spot for fishing in those days, not sure if it is still used?

Once over the rise of the bridge we would put our hands out and let our small fingers flap against an old iron railing fence up towards the Ferry Pub on the right.

Sometimes we would get out and linger near the railway line and wait for the "Fish Train" to come through, mostly a Britannia Class.

Names I remember, Iron Duke, Robin Hood, Owen Glendower, Rudyard Kipling, Hereward the Wake.

I remember a "robbery" one dark night at the toll booth. Detectives in long grey coats and trilby hats came door to door.

As far as I can remember I do not think it was solved.

Happy days............

Smiffy

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I remember countless walks over this bridge with my Grandfather.

He had an allotment adjacent to the Trent, just past the small bridge on Coronation Avenue.

It always seemed to be hot and sunny and my brother and I we would be carted over in his gardening barrow.

On the left was a small lake / pond a good spot for fishing in those days, not sure if it is still used?

Yes, the pond/lake is still there and it is still used for fishing. In fact a footpath has been specially preserved through all the tramworks just to enable people to get to the pond.

I remember countless walks over this bridge with my Grandfather.

He had an allotment adjacent to the Trent, just past the small bridge on Coronation Avenue.

This bridge?

bridge-6.jpg

It now looks like this. The arch was approximately where the red sign is.

tram3-2.jpg

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  • Cliff Ton changed the title to Great Central becomes Tram Line

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