|
|
||
|
Site Navigation Locomotive Information
Photo Galleries
Other Information
|
GCRN: Information for photographers This page last updated: 02 May 2006 Introduction to Great Central (Nottingham) On this page: Line Guide Photo Guide Accommodation and Transport Ruddington is the base for the GCR(N) operations. It is a site that encompasses a Visitors Centre (including excellent Cafeteria), workshops and sidings where rolling stock is stabled and maintained. Ruddington is also the station site for the north end of the GCRN line that stretches 8.5 miles south to Loughborough. Ruddington can be easily reached by car from the A60 (Notts – Loughborough Road), just south of Ruddington Village. Ruddington was a former Army depot, connected to the GCR Main Line by way of a short spur. The last train to Ruddington ran in 1984 – a DMU Railtour. From Ruddington, the line leaves in a Westerly direction, over a level crossing to 50-steps Bridge where it joins the main route to the south by way of a run-round loop. Take a look at a map to locate the Heritage Centre at Ruddington What's around Ruddington?
The Main Line From 50 Steps Bridge the route heads directly South into Gotham (“Goat-ham”), Moor. The line across the moor is dead straight, for some 3.5 miles, with the gradient gently undulating. The next feature is the site of Gotham Sidings, formerly a junction with a short Gypsum branch, the formation of which can be seen curving away to the west from the south end of the former sidings complex. A signalpost still stands at the convergence. There are plans to re-lay sidings on this site. View a map of this section of line. Another mile or so south (again mostly straight), brings you to Rushcliffe Sidings and Halt. Rushcliffe is on the north side of East Leake village, and is the location of an extensive Gypsum works. There are sidings here, used today by regular Gypsum Trains from Drax power station, accessing the works from the south and Midland Main Line (Picture). Rushcliffe Halt now features our regular services. The restoration team continue to develop the station. Unlike normal Great Central practice, Rushcliffe Halt has a platform each side of the line (GCR practice was a single island platform). There is parking at Rushcliffe Halt, and Notts Transport operate a 15-minute frequency bus service from Loughborough that calls at the Halt itself. The station can be reached by taking the Gotham road from the centre of East Leake. This map shows the location. The station is immediately north of the road bridge, which gives excellent views across the station area. What's around Rushcliffe Halt?
From the Diesel Fan perspective, the run from 50-Steps to Rushcliffe is exhilarating. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the feel and spectacle of a run on a main line railway, hearing and seeing your favourite locos getting a workout along a fine piece of line. After leaving Rushcliffe Halt south (Picture), the line passes the expanding East Leake village, some houses being built on the former railway goods yard, before coming to the site of the former East Leake station. All that is left is the disused platform. East Leake was a typical GCR island platform, with the entrance via steps down to the roadway below. Because there is no area for parking, and the entrance to the station would open directly on to the road, there are currently no plans to re-open this station. This part of the line was notable at one time for approach-lit colour light signals, some of which can still be seen in the undergrowth. Leaving East Leake for the south, the line enters the large and spectacular East Leake Cutting (Picture), beginning it’s climb (Picture) to the summit tunnel at Barnstone. The line between East Leake and Barnstone Tunnel is bisected by two roads from the village to the A6006, both offering excellent views of the line. The tunnel is some three miles south of Rushcliffe halt, offering more chance to sample the locos working up the grade and through the tunnel. This map shows this section of line. As the line climbs in both directions to the tunnel, locomotives can be worked hard on both legs of the journey. The summit is the tunnel itself, only a few hundred yards long. The A6006 Zouch road passes over the top of the tunnel (the line is not highly visible from the road). Leaving the tunnel (Picture) the line curves gracefully (map) and drops at 1:176 all the way to Loughborough (Picture). Approximately a quarter of a mile from the tunnel, the site of mineral sidings is passed on the west side of the line. The key features of the southern part of the journey are the large viaduct above the River Soar at Stanford (Picture) and the embankment taking the route behind the Brush Works where locos being built and overhauled are visible. GCRN operations cease at a stop board near to the A60 underbridge, just outside the works entrance for Brush Falcon Works (map). Here the trains reverse for the journey back up the hill and north to Ruddington. The total distance is approx 9.5 miles from 50 Steps Bridge. There are plans to develop a halt on the embankment adjacent to the Midland Main Line, offering the obvious interchange with the national railway network. With the 2003 season, diesel operations are spearheading the development of services along the length of the line. Timetable details can be found on the Operating Info Page. A full description and history of the line are available at: http://www.angelfire.com/dc/victoriastation/gcrn/mainline/index.html There is a track diagram that will be useful in conjunction with this guide. For the photographer, the line in intersected in a number of places between Ruddington and Rushcliffe. The generally undulating landscape offers spectacular views of the line across the countryside. Ruddington itself is surrounded by a country park, and the station throat is crossed by a large modern footbridge. A footpath and road lead from the Crossing at Ruddington to a large GCR style three-arch overbridge approx .25/mile from 50 Steps Bridge. A Farm overbridge is to be found in the middle of Gotham Moor, and another small overbridge affording good views just to the north of the site of Gotham Sidings (accessible from Gotham village). Rushcliffe is in a deep cutting with views from the adjacent overbridge. After leaving Rushcliffe Halt south, the line enters the large and spectacular East Leake Cutting, beginning it’s climb to the summit tunnel at Barnstone. The line is crossed by a road linking East Leake Village with the A6006. The 6006 itself crosses over the railway at Barnstone Tunnel – the line not being visible at this point though the north portal is just visible from the above roadbridge, and the south portal has a fine vista when the trees are cut back. The line is next crossed by the roadbridge for the Stanford-Normanton road, offering good views of the downgrade to Loughborough along a sweeping curve. The cutting is deep here, so good light conditions are required. The main problem is for parking – the road is a local “rat run” and traffic is fast. There have been cases of vehicles parked nearby having been broken into so make sure no valuables are left visible. Finally, the line offers the classic views, often seen, of the large blue-brick viaduct over the Soar at Loughborough Meadow – on the Loughborough – Stanford road, and finally the views of trains on the embankment at the back of Brush Works. Note: These locations are merely listed for information. This is not any recommendation or indication of suitability. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy or otherwise of the information below.
Nottingham Tourist Information: 01159-773-558 East Leake offers pubs and restaurants, including Fish & Chps, Indian and Chinese food. Getting About Midland Mainline and Central Trains operate to Nottingham and Loughborough stations. Notts County Council have an excellent Public Transport Website: http://utc.nottscc.gov.uk/ttptntro.htm. The site has full information and bus timetables. The Heritage Centre is at RUDDINGTON FIELDS BUSINESS PARK/RUSHCLIFFE COUNTRY PARK. Nottingham City Transport Buses operate from the City Centre and Midland Station to the Country Park Service 10/10C Monday – Sat, Service 10X on Sundays and Bank Holidays. On Saturdays the service terminates in Ruddington Village. Nottingham City Transport also runs services that call at Rushcliffe Halt. These Bus services are Nottingham-Loughborough services. Nottingham City Transport City Centre and Midland Station to Loughborough - Service 1. Approx every 20/30 mins (Throughout the week and weekends) Please check details before travelling Why-not hire the GCRN for a day?!?!? We offer Driver Experience
courses on all diesels ar GCRN, plus you could charter a loco and and a rake of
stock for a day. Contact us at the link on the left of this page or on 01332-516-716 for
details. |
|
