Thanks for the video. It was particularly pleasing to discover it as both my wife of 45 years, (the former Liz Bent), and I worked alongside Malcolm Bell, David Webb and Bob Gill at Westminster Bank in St. Martins, Leicester in the mid sixties and we can still recognise Malcolm's voice!
I’ve always loved researching railways but I’ve never seen a photo of the line between Ratby station to Desford station. Looking on google maps to get an idea of how it joined must of had to cross Desford Lane to join on the existing line today. When my Nan was alive I use to stop at hers at weekends in one of the pit houses down merryless, only twice I’ve seen a panier tank train go past in my entire life. I’m only 27 years old just to point out but things like this make me so intrigued by how back then where I live was once thriving with industry, just sad that a lot of it wasn’t preserved for my generation to see and understand the way of life as it was then.
How wonderful to hear from a couple of denizens of a world that is no more. Who would have thought they'd pull down St Martins? Last saw Davids 1970 and Bob 1988. I left bank 1983 and went self employed on the South Coast and retired ten years ago. Best wishes to you both, Malcolm Bell
I do not know of any footage from Desford to Swannington. Only yesterday I drove over the level crossing where Desford station stood - just a single track now and no sign of the station. Incidentally I walked Swannington Incline with my father when the tracks and pulleys were still there about 1947. The winding engine house was still there at that time.
According to family history our great-grandfather was the first steam engine driver to traverse the south of Leicester Midland line. Apprently a document apertaining to this feat was found inside a major clock inside Leicester Midland station renovations. His name was Dillow from Wrexham.
I remember seeing this film at cadby rectory in the good old days ice to see it again hope mal om you are still keeping well they were great evenings with a large bag of Maria's chips and a large mug of Ted's tea after a good steam up in the garden long live the memories of times past
Thanks for your comments David. I used to see the coal trains coming past my Dad's allotment in 1947 to 1952. He lived as a boy overlooking West Bridge Station from his bedroom in Tudor Road and he and his brother used to watch the guard walking the carriage roofs in the evenings lifting out the oil lamps for interior lighting and filling, trimming and lighting them. The film was made in 1964 very shortly before closure, the gatekeeper's house demolished the next week, track lifted within weeks.
I probably rode the footplate on that ghost train. I can tell you it was even scarier with the cab sheets banging the walls at 40 mph (in a 20 mph limit). Everything on the floor rose into the air as you entered and came back from your lungs over the next two weeks.
I remember walking through it and my grandad stopping at the crossing when delivering groceries around the village from his shop where the chemist is now.
Thanks for that, really interesting. I only wish I'd seen the Swannington end at work. I can only remember walking up the incline with my father when the tracks and pulleys were still in place but overgrown. I must have been only five or six at the time. By the time of filming in 1964 the stretch to Desford was the only original bit left which is why we only went that far.
I don't remember it to well but my mum tells me that I watched the last steam train go through Glenfield from the comfort of my pram. years later I spent many a summer holiday playing on the disused tracks.
Interesting to hear from someone who was three when the film was made. When I was three my Dad took me to Gelfild Station to see the "Fifty Two Steps" which took a footpath down the cutting to he left of the tunnel mouth. He also took me to Swannington and we walked the track up the incline and I can remember the cable pulleys in the centre of the sleepers and the donkey engine house was still standing at the top.
Further to last message, if you are looking for Leics industrial archaeology have you viewed "Power for a Nation"? The old power station in Rawdykes Road with fireless steam shunting and automatic wagon traverser in action.
My Father worked at the power station and used to tell me stories about that fireless “reciprocal steam engine”. He did some maintenance work on the engine too. A few of the family worked there, and he’d worked at Aylestone Rd gasworks before that (family lived at Aylestone Rd near the brook). Also spoke of the automated shunting system alongside the midland (burton line). I went to see it in the 1980s before it was all torn down. That along with other remnants of the GC lighting shops and the old warehouse. Great fun for kids to explore in those days but seemed a terrible waste to knock it all down. The interest in the L&S GC and Ivanhoe route has never diminished. Delight to see this video and thanks for uploading 👍🏻
It would have been difficult to film it without going there. Yes I have been there and have travelled in both directions on the footplate - probably one of the most alarming experiences of a lifetime.
Shame Alot Of Line Been Lifted :---((( Be Good To Cycle ... At Least Leicester Bead Park To Glen Parva Cork Lane Is Paved ... Nice To Travel But Not All The Time ... It Does Get Abit Same ... Every Day Travel From Gilmorton Est Off Saw Valley Way Etc But The Canal Is Near By ... Enjoyed Ur Video Here ... Nice One
Anyone rememeber the numbers of the two trains that plied this track towards the end? As I remember they had to be cut back because of the low tunnel roof. I used to flatten pennies placed on the rails and one time I stopped the train with an oil drum! Don't worry, I promise not to do it again.
+davu cooked 78028 was one. They were based at Coalville, like the 2Fs before them, which they succeeded in 1963 for a few brief years till closure of the Branch.
+LancastrianScot I.m not sure, I thought the numbers were 'five in number'. Maybe my memories are pre- 1963. I walked through the tunnel many times and remember there being a fatal accident involving young girls that got caught in there and didn't know about the refuges.
I'm writing an update of the history of the Leic & Swannington Rwy, including a long chapter on the Glenfield Tunnel. I photo'd the Tunnel reinforcement works 2007-8 for Leics Industrial History Society. Please would you let this Society link to your film from its website AND hold a copy on its files for use by members. I was in the Tunnel ~40 times 2007-8, and can email you pics of any part you like. Just advise email address. Keith Drury Leicestershire Industrial History Society
@PGD5051 It would be superb to see those photos - in whatever form - and include them if suitable in the e-Book on Leicester - Swannington Line history, which I've just finished, and am hoping to issuein February 2011, as a Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS) publication. Pl. contact me at keith@drurys.org.uk so we can fix details. Greatly appreciate your offer. I'll post details of this e-Book (a VERY BIG PDF on a CD) here when it's available. Keith
On reviewing past comments I can't see a record of ever having replied to this comment. I would be delighted if your Society linked to the film and you have permission to hold a copy for your members. Pics of the tunnel 2007-8 would be interesting Malcolm Bell thepump@sky.com
Just Visited West Bridge Station, Leicester and delighted to find this film of the railway. A great piece of history. Thank you.
Thanks for the video. It was particularly pleasing to discover it as both my wife of 45 years, (the former Liz Bent), and I worked alongside Malcolm Bell, David Webb and Bob Gill at Westminster Bank in St. Martins, Leicester in the mid sixties and we can still recognise Malcolm's voice!
I’ve always loved researching railways but I’ve never seen a photo of the line between Ratby station to Desford station. Looking on google maps to get an idea of how it joined must of had to cross Desford Lane to join on the existing line today. When my Nan was alive I use to stop at hers at weekends in one of the pit houses down merryless, only twice I’ve seen a panier tank train go past in my entire life. I’m only 27 years old just to point out but things like this make me so intrigued by how back then where I live was once thriving with industry, just sad that a lot of it wasn’t preserved for my generation to see and understand the way of life as it was then.
How wonderful to hear from a couple of denizens of a world that is no more. Who would have thought they'd pull down St Martins? Last saw Davids 1970 and Bob 1988. I left bank 1983 and went self employed on the South Coast and retired ten years ago. Best wishes to you both, Malcolm Bell
I do not know of any footage from Desford to Swannington. Only yesterday I drove over the level crossing where Desford station stood - just a single track now and no sign of the station.
Incidentally I walked Swannington Incline with my father when the tracks and pulleys were still there about 1947. The winding engine house was still there at that time.
According to family history our great-grandfather was the first steam engine driver to traverse the south of Leicester Midland line. Apprently a document apertaining to this feat was found inside a major clock inside Leicester Midland station renovations. His name was Dillow from Wrexham.
cool video, in the early sixties we used to play in the glenfield tunnel, and there was reported to be a ghost train which scared the heck out of us
I remember seeing this film at cadby rectory in the good old days ice to see it again hope mal om you are still keeping well they were great evenings with a large bag of Maria's chips and a large mug of Ted's tea after a good steam up in the garden long live the memories of times past
Thanks for your comments David. I used to see the coal trains coming past my Dad's allotment in 1947 to 1952. He lived as a boy overlooking West Bridge Station from his bedroom in Tudor Road and he and his brother used to watch the guard walking the carriage roofs in the evenings lifting out the oil lamps for interior lighting and filling, trimming and lighting them.
The film was made in 1964 very shortly before closure, the gatekeeper's house demolished the next week, track lifted within weeks.
I probably rode the footplate on that ghost train. I can tell you it was even scarier with the cab sheets banging the walls at 40 mph (in a 20 mph limit). Everything on the floor rose into the air as you entered and came back from your lungs over the next two weeks.
Brilliant footage of this old line. Thanks for the post
Great content, love my city
I remember walking through it and my grandad stopping at the crossing when delivering groceries around the village from his shop where the chemist is now.
Thanks for that, really interesting. I only wish I'd seen the Swannington end at work. I can only remember walking up the incline with my father when the tracks and pulleys were still in place but overgrown. I must have been only five or six at the time.
By the time of filming in 1964 the stretch to Desford was the only original bit left which is why we only went that far.
Thanks i use to play down the Swannington Incline back in the 50s
Excellent video
I don't remember it to well but my mum tells me that I watched the last steam train go through Glenfield from the comfort of my pram. years later I spent many a summer holiday playing on the disused tracks.
Interesting to hear from someone who was three when the film was made. When I was three my Dad took me to Gelfild Station to see the "Fifty Two Steps" which took a footpath down the cutting to he left of the tunnel mouth. He also took me to Swannington and we walked the track up the incline and I can remember the cable pulleys in the centre of the sleepers and the donkey engine house was still standing at the top.
Further to last message, if you are looking for Leics industrial archaeology have you viewed "Power for a Nation"? The old power station in Rawdykes Road with fireless steam shunting and automatic wagon traverser in action.
My Father worked at the power station and used to tell me stories about that fireless “reciprocal steam engine”. He did some maintenance work on the engine too. A few of the family worked there, and he’d worked at Aylestone Rd gasworks before that (family lived at Aylestone Rd near the brook). Also spoke of the automated shunting system alongside the midland (burton line). I went to see it in the 1980s before it was all torn down. That along with other remnants of the GC lighting shops and the old warehouse. Great fun for kids to explore in those days but seemed a terrible waste to knock it all down. The interest in the L&S GC and Ivanhoe route has never diminished. Delight to see this video and thanks for uploading 👍🏻
It would have been difficult to film it without going there. Yes I have been there and have travelled in both directions on the footplate - probably one of the most alarming experiences of a lifetime.
thanks for the comment, great to see the memories it stirs up,
Malcolm
Very interesting. probably unique footage?
Very Good !+)
Shame Alot Of Line Been Lifted :---(((
Be Good To Cycle ... At Least Leicester Bead Park To Glen Parva Cork Lane
Is Paved ... Nice To Travel
But Not All The Time ... It Does Get Abit Same ... Every Day Travel From Gilmorton Est Off Saw Valley Way Etc
But The Canal Is Near By ... Enjoyed Ur Video Here ... Nice One
brilliant
Anyone rememeber the numbers of the two trains that plied this track towards the end? As I remember they had to be cut back because of the low tunnel roof. I used to flatten pennies placed on the rails and one time I stopped the train with an oil drum! Don't worry, I promise not to do it again.
+davu cooked 78028 was one. They were based at Coalville, like the 2Fs before them, which they succeeded in 1963 for a few brief years till closure of the Branch.
+LancastrianScot I.m not sure, I thought the numbers were 'five in number'. Maybe my memories are pre- 1963. I walked through the tunnel many times and remember there being a fatal accident involving young girls that got caught in there and didn't know about the refuges.
So you were in your pram when I filmed this because this was right at the end.
I'm writing an update of the history of the Leic & Swannington Rwy, including a long chapter on the Glenfield Tunnel. I photo'd the Tunnel reinforcement works 2007-8 for Leics Industrial History Society. Please would you let this Society link to your film from its website AND hold a copy on its files for use by members.
I was in the Tunnel ~40 times 2007-8, and can email you pics of any part you like. Just advise email address.
Keith Drury
Leicestershire Industrial History Society
@PGD5051 It would be superb to see those photos - in whatever form - and include them if suitable in the e-Book on Leicester - Swannington Line history, which I've just finished, and am hoping to issuein February 2011, as a Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS) publication. Pl. contact me at keith@drurys.org.uk so we can fix details. Greatly appreciate your offer.
I'll post details of this e-Book (a VERY BIG PDF on a CD) here when it's available.
Keith
On reviewing past comments I can't see a record of ever having replied to this comment.
I would be delighted if your Society linked to the film and you have permission to hold a copy for your members.
Pics of the tunnel 2007-8 would be interesting
Malcolm Bell
thepump@sky.com