Victoria Station & Great Central

[sweetpea 1]

Disused stations website.

 

Victoria Station

[mick2me 3,013]

Victoria Station

The Map from that site is also interesting, in view of the Mansfield Rd Discussions elsewhere.

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/station...ictoria_map.gif

[Merthyr Imp 729]

The latest issue of the magazine 'Steam Days' (September issue) arrived in the post today, and although I haven't read it yet what looks well worth checking out is an article 'The Last Weekend of the Great Central's London Extension' by a David Pearce. 

Several good photos of Victoria Station are included along with some at Wilford and the bridge over the Trent. Also a good map centring on the GC line through West Bridgford.  The article seems to consist of memories of someone who lived in sight of the line there.

[radfordred 5,355]

I did have to watch it in mute after 1:15 that piano music shocking, sure it will interest some

 

 

[NewBasfordlad 3,592]

Thanks for that one, whilst I agree about the music the actual piece was very informative.

[FLY2 10,095]

I purchased it MI, and didn't learn much I didn't already know. However, some of the pictures were new to me. Quite a good read all the same. A bit on the GC is better than nothing at all.

[Smiffy49 589]

Yes, it was a good article seen through the eyes of a local lad whose house overlooked the GC through Wilford.

A favourite haunt of mine during the same period.

[LongJohn 19]

When I was about 8, and at Patrick Road WB infants' school, the GC embankment was on a level with the upper floor classrooms. That, plus when our family moved to Colwick, we lived in a cul-de-sac with the LNER(?) and Midland lines at the end of the road, is why I love steam trains to this day.

 

On a tangent, I have spent the last year trying to stop the Education Funding Agency from knocking down an Edwardian school with far better architecture than Patrick Road - no justice!!

[Cliff Ton 8,940]

On 13/05/2017 at 11:38 PM, LongJohn said:

When I was about 8, and at Patrick Road WB infants' school, the GC embankment was on a level with the upper floor classrooms.

 

And this (I think) might be the closest you'll get now as a reminder of what you are referring to. The school is in the background beyond the tunnel which goes under the railway line. The embankment is now cleared and replaced by housing.

 

And I think the line was not the GC; it was the Midland line to London via Melton.

[LongJohn 19]

Cliff Ton: you are a star! When I was in WB a couple of weeks ago, and walking along Rectory Road, it was obvious where that embankment had been. In your photo, the building you can half see in the foreground was a sweet shop. Yet sweets only came off ration in '53.

 

You are right about the line.

[radfordred 5,355]

[radfordred 5,355]

Hayup Sweetpea 

 

[FLY2 10,095]

As Wembley was nearest to the ex GC main line, it was always favourite for special trains to use that route. 

Always a good chance of seeing some rare locos on them too. 

[MargieH 6,616]

Good photo of some very smart CLW girls, Lizzie.   I hated the berets, too

 

[siddha 717]

Nah mate never went to the Zoo with Gussies .............I suspect that in my day you (the school that is)  couldn't ask folk for the money for the trip with voluntary or otherwise contribution. My recollections of steam train jaunts was the weekend ramblers trains from Victoria Stn out to Derbyshire in the mid 60s........ Lovely

[Compo 8,467]

Despite all efforts by BR the Great Central survived in places. It's gives me a real nostalgia boost to see things as they (almost) used to be.  Here are a few photos of Loughborough Central taken a few years ago:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Compo 8,467]

.....and a few more. Who can forget the stairs leading down to Great Central island platforms?!

 

 

The Signalbox

 

 

The workshop

 

 

Nice signage:

 

 

Who are you calling "Big nose?"

 

[FLY2 10,095]

Great stuff Compo. We often have a drive down to Rothley on  a Sunday morning. Park at  the station, coffee and a bacon cob. Followed by a walk to Swithland reservoir, through the next village and back to Rothley for a tea and cake session. 

[Compo 8,467]

I visited the station with my brother and his wife back in September 2016. His wife was not interested in trains but when we got there she was taken aback and enthralled by the variety of stuff and the memories it triggered for her- which was nice.

 

[plantfit 6,662]

More Loughborough engines Compo

 

 

Rog

 

[philmayfield 4,278]

My neighbour, down the lane, Bill Brazier, (formerley of the ‘Fabulous Beatmen’ many years ago) is a regular driver on the Great Central. I remember years ago when he joined as a fireman and took the necessary tests to work up to driver. He used to drive on the Bluebell railway as well. Coincidentally  we were at Mellish together but he’s three years older than me. He does have to take an annual medical to qualify but it’s very similar to the HGV one.

[plantfit 6,662]

Tornado during trials on the GCR at Loughborough

 

 

Rog

[Compo 8,467]

 I shall have to make a point of seeing Tornado at some time in the near future. 

[Deepdene Boy 614]

They'll have to finish mending Tornado first. She's still in pieces following her failing at Wansford in the spring.

 

[plantfit 6,662]

Not sure whether I took these at Loughborough

 

 

Rog