RAILSCOT | London Extension (Great Central Railway)

London Extension (Great Central Railway)

Dates

05/09/1966	London Extension (Great Central Railway) Line closed from Rugby Central to Quainton Road. Rugby Central to Nottingham Victoria remains open for local service.
/09/1967	London Extension (Great Central Railway) Nottingham Victoria closed and Rugby Central service cut back to Arkwright Street.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.

Annesley to Nottingham

Unrebuilt Battle of Britain Pacific no 34054 Lord Beaverbrook stands at Nottingham Victoria on a grey and misty Saturday 30 March 1963 ...
K A Gray 30/03/1963

Never an easy location for a photograph, even on a bright and sunny day, Nottingham Victoria in rain and mist presented something of a challenge. ...
K A Gray 30/03/1963

The RCTS Great Central Rail Tour at Nottingham Victoria on 13 August 1966 with Bulleid West Country Pacific no 34002 Salisbury in charge. The ...
K A Gray 13/08/1966

Site of Nottingham Victoria looking north in 2001. ...
Ewan Crawford //2001

4 of 14 images. more

Nottingham to Quainton Road

Weekday Cross Junction

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See also
Weekday Cross Junction to Trent Lane West Junction (Great Northern Railway)

View north at Weekday Cross Junction in 2001. Ahead is the Victoria Street Tunnel, behind was the GC line south to London and behind and to the right ...
Ewan Crawford //2001

The NET tram system in Nottingham uses the former route of the Great Central to approach Nottingham (Midland) station. Here a tram sits at the ...
Ewan Crawford 18/11/2006

2 of 2 images.

Station Street [Nottingham] [Tram]

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See also
Nottingham Express Transit

Arkwright Street

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Clifton Colliery [Nottingham]

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Nottingham Goods South Junction

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Ruddington

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03118 pretending to be a steam engine - look at that chimney! GCR(N) at Ruddington in 2016. ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

Down in the carriage shed, something stirred - the mystery being, why would the GC have a Southern Region coach? See image 12077 - the answer, ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

Suit enthusiast - Abernant #5 would struggle to pass its MoT, were it to be a car. ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

Quite large, as preserved boxes go; and a nice little hut next door. ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

4 of 4 images.

Gotham Gypsum Works

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Gotham Junction

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Rushcliffe Gypsum Works

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Hotchley Hill Sidings

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Rushcliffe Halt

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It's not every day that you see a 56 (this is 097) and a 156 (this is 413) together. The occasion was a BLS railtour to the GCR(N) seen at Rushcliffe ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

No rush, mate. We can wait. The prototype HST set on the Great Central (North) has to wait for a staffer to finish his lunch. ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

Another 'if only' see image 53774. This is the prototype HST power car 41001, arriving at Rushcliffe Halt to pick up passengers from a BLS DMU ...
Ken Strachan 27/02/2016

The beautifully straight nature of the GCRs extension to London is obvious in this view looking north at the gypsum works at Rushcliffe Halt. ...
Ewan Crawford 11/09/2006

4 of 4 images.

East Leake

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View north from the island platform at East Leake in 2001. ...
Ewan Crawford //2001

1 of 1 images.

East Leake Tunnel

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Loughborough Central

This is an island platform station on the Great Central Railway (Preserved). Heritage trains run south to Leicester North.
...

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Resident Jinty 47406 running through the platforms at Loughborough Central during the GCR Gala on 26th January 2019.
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Peter Todd 26/01/2019

4MT 2-6-4T 80080, one of four BR Standards in steam that day, takes water at Loughborough Central during a GCR special weekend on 28th January 2022. ...
Peter Todd 28/01/2022

BR 9F 2-10-0 92214 parked up in the Loughborough Central shed sidings during the GCR 2023 winter gala. I had hoped to see the two Standard 5s that ...
Peter Todd 28/01/2023

Portrait of a Standard 4MT 2-6-4T. 80080 stabled on a siding at Loughborough Central in between duties at the January 2022 steam gala. ...
Peter Todd 28/01/2022

4 of 63 images. more

Quorn and Woodhouse

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LMS 8F 48624 departing Quorn with a passenger train during the GCR Gala day, specialising in freight trains mixed in with the usual passenger ...
Peter Todd 06/05/2017

Having completed some leisurely shunting in the yard at Quorn, LMS Jinty 3F 0-6-0T 47406 departs for Rothley hauling a 3 coach local train. ...
Peter Todd 06/05/2017

47406 with a demonstration freight at Quorn and Woodhouse. ...
Peter Todd 02/10/2015

Consecutively numbered BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0s 78018 and 78019 were both in steam during the GCR gala in January 2023. This is 78018 passing through ...
Peter Todd 28/01/2023

4 of 64 images. more

Rothley

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GWR 41xx 2-6-2T 4141 at the Great Central Railway, seen leaving Rothley on 29th December 2004.
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Peter Todd 29/12/2004

A Great Central Railway bridge sign at Rothley on 3 October 2015. ...
Peter Todd 03/10/2015

The varnishing railway (repeat pun - see image 47570). The interior of the NER 'Electric Autocar' No.3170 looks very traditional, despite the LED ...
Ken Strachan 18/11/2023

A Met-Cam DMU in Rothley station, packed to the roof with passengers, heading
...
Peter Todd 28/01/2023

4 of 14 images. more

Belgrave and Birstall

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A bricked up entrance, a chimney and a storage space within the bridge pier are all that remains at this former suburban station on the North side of ...
Ken Strachan 15/01/2010

'I'm not coming out, it's raining'. 45041 seems reluctant to rejoin its train at Leicester North after running round at the GCR Autumn Diesel ...
Ken Strachan 10/09/2016

2 of 2 images.

Leicester North

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9F 2-10-0 92214 running round a newly arrived GCR train at Leicester North on 28th January 2022.
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Peter Todd 28/01/2022

92214 standing in Leicester North station on 6th October 2017.
...
Peter Todd 06/10/2017

BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73156, one of five locos in steam that day, arrives at Leicester North with a GCR train from Loughborough Central on 28th ...
Peter Todd 28/01/2022

9F 2-10-0 92214, newly arrived at Leicester North on 26th January 2018.
...
Peter Todd 26/01/2018

4 of 15 images. more

Leicester Central

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How ironic that a railway intended to offer services to France should now be closely attended by some rather homesick-looking Renaults. View looks ...
Ken Strachan 09/09/2012

1 of 1 images.

Leicester Central Wagon Repair Shop

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Looking very healthy for a structure recently slated for demolition, this is the former Wagon Works at Leicester looking North in January 2018. ...
Ken Strachan 16/01/2018

Maybe Leicester City Council learned something from the cafuffle over the demolition of the Bowstring girder bridge? The Upperton Road wagon works has ...
Ken Strachan 16/01/2018

2 of 2 images.

Blaby Junction

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See also
South Leicestershire Railway

Whetstone Junction

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Whetstone

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The GC bridge over the M1 is looking a bit neglected; but so would you, after 49 years of disuse. View looks North. ...
Sally Strachan 19/04/2018

1 of 1 images.

Ashby Magna

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Two bridges from different centuries photographed in May 2010. The far bridge is over the M1, the near one over the North end of the former GC ...
Ken Strachan 13/05/2010

1 of 1 images.

Dunton Bassett Tunnel

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Lutterworth

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Looking north on an abandoned main line. Just North of the M6 and A5, this is the trackbed of the GCR, accessible as a footpath only. How is the ...
Ken Strachan 18/04/2019

This is the GCR trackbed looking south in April 2019 near Shawell Quarry, which is in turn near Lutterworth. A few years ago, I photographed an ...
Ken Strachan 18/04/2019

Old telegraph insulators steadfastly refusing to biodegrade, just South of Lutterworth. ...
Ken Strachan 14/05/2010

This well preserved gangers' hut is just South of the A4304, West of Junction 20 on the M1. Going by the graffiti, it is now used by quite a different ...
Ken Strachan 12/05/2010

4 of 6 images. more

Rugby Central

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'And quite where Rugby Central is, does only Rugby know' ...according to Betjeman. Fans of consistent transport policy will be pleased to know ...
Ken Strachan 29/03/2011

Looking South from the road bridge at the former Rugby Central station in March 2011 we notice, left to right: the foot/cycle path; the edge of the ...
Ken Strachan 29/03/2011

2 of 2 images.

Braunston and Willoughby

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Staverton Viaduct

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This location West of Staverton is where the GC crossed the A425 between Daventry and Leamington. The road seems to have been built up since closure ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

1 of 1 images.

Catesby Viaduct

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Catesby Tunnel

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Mineral deposits on the wall of Catesby tunnel - more attractive to my eyes than a lot of modern art. ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

Just one of the details of this fine tunnel which you can actually see now that it has been cleaned up and lit. ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

That is definitely a thingummyjig. It appears to have two electric motors below, and two fuse holders above; and definitely adds atmosphere to what is ...
Ken Strachan 09/11/2021

The astute observer will notice that the arch on the left (West) side of this first overbridge to the North of Catesby tunnel has been boxed in. This ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

4 of 10 images. more

Charwelton

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The cattle docks at Charwelton station seem to have been restored (see image 79879). View looks North in October 2021. ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

A view southwards over the site of Charwelton station. The photo is taken from a road bridge that features in a 2021 image of the site, 79879, and ...
John McIntyre 23/03/2007

The new owner of this bridge paid 350,000 pounds for a partial infill to support the long girders carrying a deck for a minor road. But notice that he ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

The Charwelton Innovation Centre has been built on the site of Charwelton station. (The cattle dock survives to the left of this view; the road ...
Ken Strachan 09/10/2021

4 of 4 images.

Charwelton Watertroughs

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Two advantages of Railway Ramblers walks are the ability to cover private ground; and the facility to have relics pointed out to you which you might ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

1 of 1 images.

Woodford Halse

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I can't see the point. A stray bit of point rodding adorns the site of the sidings South of Woodford station. ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Many major railways would ignore smaller lines crossing their main line. The GCR so welcomed the Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Joint that it put in ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

This cattle grid is located uphill from the site of the extensive wartime marshalling yard at Woodford Halse, and is built using rails from the ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Looking South from Preston Road, Eydon, a concrete signal post can be seen standing perfectly upright by the down line near the skyline. There are two ...
Ken Strachan 31/08/2018

4 of 15 images. more

Culworth Junction

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Culworth

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Helmdon (GC)

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A surreal scene at Helmdon in August 2016, as a line of sheep appears to be forming the up Ovine Cutler. Notice the branch feeder services to the left ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

1 of 1 images.

Brackley Central

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Here is a closer view of the bricked up entrances and exits see image 52448. The upper one was the footbridge, the lower one would be to the ...
Ken Strachan 14/08/2015

The tyre fitting centre at Brackley see image 52362 is more recognizable as a former station from track level - despite the brick structure built ...
Ken Strachan 14/08/2015

A couple of miles South East of Brackley see image 52362, this determined-looking girder bridge carried the Great Central over the LNWR line from ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

The former station at Brackley, Northants, on the Great Central Railway's London Extension, seen here on 14 August 2015. This view looks East from ...
Ken Strachan 14/08/2015

4 of 4 images.

Coulsdon Old Vehicle and Engineering Society

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Finmere

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Coach 930206 is one of eight vehicles of the class 416 EMU which are preserved at Finmere. see image 56782 It may look ready for traffic, but ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

Another fine example see image 56233 of artistry in steel girders on the Great Central Railway London extension. There is a small preservation ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

There was this nasty crunch as I was reversing.. an unusual blend of bus, Tube train, and EMU provides a publicity vehicle for the Epping and Ongar ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

Conventional wisdom has it that there is no track on the GCR trackbed between Claydon LNE Junction and Leicester North. However, the Network South ...
Ken Strachan 13/08/2016

4 of 4 images.

Calvert Junction

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Looking North towards Finmere, the trackbed from Calvert looks very colourful. The photograph is at Twyford (Bucks) with Calvert Junction and the ...
Ken Strachan 22/09/2018

1 of 1 images.

Calvert

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Looking south over the remains of former mainline station at Calvert. Beyond the island platform is the Shanks and McEwan rubbish unloading depot. The ...
Ewan Crawford 06/09/2009

1 of 1 images.

Grendon Underwood Junction

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Quainton Road Junction

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See also
Aylesbury and Buckingham Railway

Looking South towards Quainton Road, the trackbed from Verney Junction can be seen trailing in on the left. ...
Ken Strachan 22/09/2018

1 of 1 images.

Claydon Curve

Calvert Junction

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Looking North towards Finmere, the trackbed from Calvert looks very colourful. The photograph is at Twyford (Bucks) with Calvert Junction and the ...
Ken Strachan 22/09/2018

1 of 1 images.

Claydon LNE Junction

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See also
Buckinghamshire Railway

UK Railtours excursion behind 66110 on the Calvert spur from the ex-Great Central Railway main line approaching Claydon LNE Junction on 17th March ...
David Bosher 17/03/2018

UK Railtours excursion behind 66110 coming off the 1940 Calvert spur at Claydon LNE Junction on 17th March 2018. The train then reversed and with ...
David Bosher 17/03/2018

Re Ken Strachan's photo of a trackless Claydon LNE Junction See image 66823, and in answer to his question was track here until recently? The ...
David Bosher 17/03/2018

I think there might have been track here quite recently. The view looks west, with the junction behind the camera. Calvert sidings are now approached ...
Ken Strachan 27/10/2018

4 of 4 images.

Calvert to Ashendon

Grendon Underwood Junction

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Akeman Street

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Wotton

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Ashendon Junction

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See also
Ashendon and Aynho Railway (Great Western Railway)
Great Western and Great Central Joint Railway

Woodford Halse to Banbury

Woodford Halse

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I can't see the point. A stray bit of point rodding adorns the site of the sidings South of Woodford station. ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Many major railways would ignore smaller lines crossing their main line. The GCR so welcomed the Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Joint that it put in ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

This cattle grid is located uphill from the site of the extensive wartime marshalling yard at Woodford Halse, and is built using rails from the ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Looking South from Preston Road, Eydon, a concrete signal post can be seen standing perfectly upright by the down line near the skyline. There are two ...
Ken Strachan 31/08/2018

4 of 15 images. more

Eydon Road Halt

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Chalcombe Road Halt

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Banbury Junction

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See also
Birmingham and Oxford Railway

Woodford Halse Curve

Woodford Halse

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I can't see the point. A stray bit of point rodding adorns the site of the sidings South of Woodford station. ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Many major railways would ignore smaller lines crossing their main line. The GCR so welcomed the Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Joint that it put in ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

This cattle grid is located uphill from the site of the extensive wartime marshalling yard at Woodford Halse, and is built using rails from the ...
Ken Strachan 28/07/2018

Looking South from Preston Road, Eydon, a concrete signal post can be seen standing perfectly upright by the down line near the skyline. There are two ...
Ken Strachan 31/08/2018

4 of 15 images. more

Woodford West Junction

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See also
East and West Junction Railway

London Extension (Great Central Railway)

Dates

Portions of line and locations

Annesley to Nottingham

Annesley North Junction

Hollinwell and Annesley

Annesley South Halt

Hucknall Central

Hucknall No1 Colliery

Bulwell Hall Halt

Bulwell Common

Bulwell Common South Junction

Bagthorpe Junction

New Basford

Sherwood Rise Tunnel

Carrington

Mansfield Road Tunnel

Nottingham Victoria

Nottingham to Quainton Road

Weekday Cross Junction

Station Street [Nottingham] [Tram]

Arkwright Street

Clifton Colliery [Nottingham]

Nottingham Goods South Junction

Ruddington

Gotham Gypsum Works

Gotham Junction

Rushcliffe Gypsum Works

Hotchley Hill Sidings

Rushcliffe Halt

East Leake

East Leake Tunnel

Loughborough Central

Quorn and Woodhouse

Rothley

Belgrave and Birstall

Leicester North

Leicester Central

Leicester Central Wagon Repair Shop

Blaby Junction

Whetstone Junction

Whetstone

Ashby Magna

Dunton Bassett Tunnel

Lutterworth

Rugby Central

Braunston and Willoughby

Staverton Viaduct

Catesby Viaduct

Catesby Tunnel

Charwelton

Charwelton Watertroughs

Woodford Halse

Culworth Junction

Culworth

Helmdon (GC)

Brackley Central

Coulsdon Old Vehicle and Engineering Society

Finmere

Calvert Junction

Calvert

Grendon Underwood Junction

Quainton Road Junction

Claydon Curve

Calvert Junction

Claydon LNE Junction

Calvert to Ashendon

Grendon Underwood Junction

Akeman Street

Wotton

Ashendon Junction

Woodford Halse to Banbury

Woodford Halse

Eydon Road Halt

Chalcombe Road Halt

Banbury Junction

Woodford Halse Curve

Woodford Halse

Woodford West Junction

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