The platform buildings were never built, but they made a start on the platform walls. The reason for the extra bridges were - the easterly most one was for the Mountsorrel quarry branch. Then in the 1940s, the line was upgraded for London-bound traffic, so a loop was placed between the two, requiring yet another bridge. In the late 90s, the original "up line" bridge needed repair works, so traffic was diverted onto the up loop line bridge. And although in the 2010s, the Mounsorrel branch was reinstated, it was deemed easier to run it from the up loop line bridge, rather than its original. Fun fact: For 18 months, I was the caretaker at Swithland Sidings (the first "I" definitely pronounced as in the word "With"). I was provided with a caravan, and my main function was to prevent the endless cable thefts which occured on site. It's probably the happiest and easiest job I ever had - I never once had to confront a robber, but armed with a pocket of roll-ups and a million candle torch, I loved walking round there at night. I think, just a person being there was enough to deter cable theft as apparently for the whole time I was there, nothing at all was stolen, in contrast to the thousands of pounds per month beforehand. Alas, it didn't last - during that time, I met my first wife and proposed to her in that very caravan. She was from Sheffield, and since we got married I've lived here up north ever since. I do still, however, regularly return to Swithland as part of the S&T maintenance gang. I'm not very useful, but they seem to like my sense of humour. :) The caravan, BTW, is still there - it is now the winter retreat for the Box cat. :)
In my youth I used to pass under that bridge regularly on my bike. I always looked at the bricked up archway and wondered why they never built the station, but Swithland is a very small village even today so I guess Rothley was a better choice for the station. I travelled on the GC many times and even took my bike on the last train to Arkwright Street, cycling back rather than using the Midland line. Somewhere in the attic there is a photo of the last train and my bike at Arkwright Street Station. Many fond memories of the GC route brought back from 70 years ago. At least some of the GC line has survived into preservation though the "Master Cutler" will never run from Sheffield to Marylebone again and the "South Yorkshireman" will not change locos at Leicester Central anymore. Sad loss as it was always the fastest route between Leicester and London. The massive blue brick bridge over Thurstaston Road has gone too. I really loved looking at that structure with it's beautiful curving courses of bricks in the huge arch. It was yet another marvel of civil engineering that has been wiped away without trace in Britain's Rush to destroy its Victorian heritage. From Money Sunk and Lost to Gone Completely, what a waste of our forefather's money and efforts to provide for future generations! I live far from Leicestershire now so I don't have to see the results but I still wonder how different things could have been had the GC been put to better use, and seeing the bridge at Swithland just brings those thoughts back to mind. Thanks for the video, especially the picture of the stairway which I have only seen once before many years ago. It is interesting to see how little change there's been on Swithland Lane!
Hi Paul, From what I know, Originally Swithland was the preferred station site instead of Rothley, work commenced on Swithland around 1895(ish) but the locals in Rothley where not happy about not having a station so the GC decided to move the station location to Rothley to keep the locals happy! Another issue with having a station at Swithland was Lord Lanesborough of Swithland Hall (the land owner). He would only grant permission to build the station on the condition that he could 'flag down' any train he wished, which would then be obliged to stop for him! With a platform in place (I can’t find any evidence of buildings), it looks like Swithland became a halt for a few years then closed, no doubt to stop Lord Lanesborough flagging down trains! The entrance way was then bricked up and the platforms removed. I’m guessing sometime in the early 1900s. As always, another fantastic video. Keep the videos coming! Thanks Paul 😊👍
We at Swithland did an indepth investigation into how far the station got built - using photogrammetry we concluded that only the first four courses of brickwork were ever laid for the platforms, and they were demolished by 1897.
When we were installing the crank bases and point rodding for the signals at Swithland in the 2010s, we were continually fighting against the broken off bricks for the stairway.
Would have been a station access from street level, but alas not to be, as Rothley was the final choice of site. What a great route to London from central northern England through the heart of the country. Great indeed as anyone who takes the time to read up on its history will see. 🙂👍
That looks identical to the old station at Cooper Bridge, near Mirfield, West Yorkshire. Closed off underpass. I'm not sure if it ever was built or not, but damn near identical.
Rumour has it that it was built at Coopers Bridge for a major share holder of the Lancashire and Yorkshire for access to his house, and he would request the train to stop there for him.
In all probability the stairs were lined with ceramic glazed bricks rather than tiles which are expensive to install. These were commonly used in light wells of large Victorian and Edwardian buildings, especially in big cities such as London and the like. They reflect more light than plain red or yellow brick
Hi viz still doesn't stop some random moron who is too busy texting, talking on the phone or otherwise not paying attention whilst driving from hitting you
The platform buildings were never built, but they made a start on the platform walls.
The reason for the extra bridges were - the easterly most one was for the Mountsorrel quarry branch. Then in the 1940s, the line was upgraded for London-bound traffic, so a loop was placed between the two, requiring yet another bridge. In the late 90s, the original "up line" bridge needed repair works, so traffic was diverted onto the up loop line bridge. And although in the 2010s, the Mounsorrel branch was reinstated, it was deemed easier to run it from the up loop line bridge, rather than its original.
Fun fact: For 18 months, I was the caretaker at Swithland Sidings (the first "I" definitely pronounced as in the word "With"). I was provided with a caravan, and my main function was to prevent the endless cable thefts which occured on site. It's probably the happiest and easiest job I ever had - I never once had to confront a robber, but armed with a pocket of roll-ups and a million candle torch, I loved walking round there at night. I think, just a person being there was enough to deter cable theft as apparently for the whole time I was there, nothing at all was stolen, in contrast to the thousands of pounds per month beforehand.
Alas, it didn't last - during that time, I met my first wife and proposed to her in that very caravan. She was from Sheffield, and since we got married I've lived here up north ever since. I do still, however, regularly return to Swithland as part of the S&T maintenance gang. I'm not very useful, but they seem to like my sense of humour. :)
The caravan, BTW, is still there - it is now the winter retreat for the Box cat. :)
Great story. 🙂👍
In my youth I used to pass under that bridge regularly on my bike. I always looked at the bricked up archway and wondered why they never built the station, but Swithland is a very small village even today so I guess Rothley was a better choice for the station. I travelled on the GC many times and even took my bike on the last train to Arkwright Street, cycling back rather than using the Midland line. Somewhere in the attic there is a photo of the last train and my bike at Arkwright Street Station. Many fond memories of the GC route brought back from 70 years ago. At least some of the GC line has survived into preservation though the "Master Cutler" will never run from Sheffield to Marylebone again and the "South Yorkshireman" will not change locos at Leicester Central anymore. Sad loss as it was always the fastest route between Leicester and London. The massive blue brick bridge over Thurstaston Road has gone too. I really loved looking at that structure with it's beautiful curving courses of bricks in the huge arch. It was yet another marvel of civil engineering that has been wiped away without trace in Britain's Rush to destroy its Victorian heritage. From Money Sunk and Lost to Gone Completely, what a waste of our forefather's money and efforts to provide for future generations!
I live far from Leicestershire now so I don't have to see the results but I still wonder how different things could have been had the GC been put to better use, and seeing the bridge at Swithland just brings those thoughts back to mind.
Thanks for the video, especially the picture of the stairway which I have only seen once before many years ago. It is interesting to see how little change there's been on Swithland Lane!
Thanks Rod. I enjoyed reading that.
Hi Paul, From what I know, Originally Swithland was the preferred station site instead of Rothley, work commenced on Swithland around 1895(ish) but the locals in Rothley where not happy about not having a station so the GC decided to move the station location to Rothley to keep the locals happy!
Another issue with having a station at Swithland was Lord Lanesborough of Swithland Hall (the land owner). He would only grant permission to build the station on the condition that he could 'flag down' any train he wished, which would then be obliged to stop for him!
With a platform in place (I can’t find any evidence of buildings), it looks like Swithland became a halt for a few years then closed, no doubt to stop Lord Lanesborough flagging down trains!
The entrance way was then bricked up and the platforms removed. I’m guessing sometime in the early 1900s.
As always, another fantastic video. Keep the videos coming! Thanks Paul 😊👍
That would have been hilarious for him but incredibly frustrating for the trains.
Cheers 👍😊. There's always one week ruins it for everyone else isn't there 😄. I remember a similar story up near Catesby too
We at Swithland did an indepth investigation into how far the station got built - using photogrammetry we concluded that only the first four courses of brickwork were ever laid for the platforms, and they were demolished by 1897.
@@RCassinello great insight, thank you 😊👍
Another little nugget top man as always keep them coming 🚂🚂
Cheers Andrew. Glad you liked it
Love to see whats behind the archway & the photo is fab! Well done Paul for braving the traffic, busy road! 😮❤👍
Thanks Carol. I'd love to see if those lovely tiles were still in a good condition
When we were installing the crank bases and point rodding for the signals at Swithland in the 2010s, we were continually fighting against the broken off bricks for the stairway.
Thank you for this little nugget.
Would have been a station access from street level, but alas not to be, as Rothley was the final choice of site.
What a great route to London from central northern England through the heart of the country.
Great indeed as anyone who takes the time to read up on its history will see. 🙂👍
A good short video Paul my favourite preserved railway will be going there in September to the diesel gala.
Cheers Chris. They've got some incredible diesels haven't they. I'd love to get behind the 50 on a good thrash
Interesting Paul, amazing that a photograph exists of the stairs. I would think they are still there but backfilled
👍 aparrently the platforms were used to fill the gap. Would love a look at those tiles.
similar design to Newton Purcell in Buckinghamshire - also GCR Not much left now as HS2 is going right through the old site
XWG7+CR8 Buckingham
When is see any bricked up arch I always have this inkling to find out whats behind it !
👍 intriguing aren't they. I'd love to see the tiling inside.
excellent video👍 loved to know when it was bricked up 🤔
Thank you.
From what I understand now, it was early in the 1900s
That looks identical to the old station at Cooper Bridge, near Mirfield, West Yorkshire. Closed off underpass. I'm not sure if it ever was built or not, but damn near identical.
Hi Ian. I just had to look that up on Google Maps. I love stuff like that.
Rumour has it that it was built at Coopers Bridge for a major share holder of the Lancashire and Yorkshire for access to his house, and he would request the train to stop there for him.
In all probability the stairs were lined with ceramic glazed bricks rather than tiles which are expensive to install. These were commonly used in light wells of large Victorian and Edwardian buildings, especially in big cities such as London and the like. They reflect more light than plain red or yellow brick
They were also easier to clean, so were used in places where the great, unwashed public were allowed to go, such as the V&A Museum!
I'm guessing it will open once the two lines are connected but then again I guess it's just a late bloomer in station wise 🤔
There are some nasty prangs on the over girders!
Wear hi-vis clothing,,,,,
Hi viz still doesn't stop some random moron who is too busy texting, talking on the phone or otherwise not paying attention whilst driving from hitting you
Hi-vis just makes you an easier target for the drunk drivers