Melton Mowbray (where I was born) is an important commercial centre, but was arguably in the 19th century even more important as a market for agricultural produce and livestock. This railway was built to serve the markets and trade fairs held at Melton, making for reliable freight traffic on the line, plus the seasonal trade fair excursions. A further lucrative freight was the oolitic limestone quarried in this area. Passenger traffic was always sparse and could not alone support the railway. With the shift of freight transport onto road after the second world war, the railway lost its major source of income.
Melton Mowbray (where I was born) is an important commercial centre, but was arguably in the 19th century even more important as a market for agricultural produce and livestock. This railway was built to serve the markets and trade fairs held at Melton, making for reliable freight traffic on the line, plus the seasonal trade fair excursions. A further lucrative freight was the oolitic limestone quarried in this area. Passenger traffic was always sparse and could not alone support the railway. With the shift of freight transport onto road after the second world war, the railway lost its major source of income.
Thanks, that's very useful background info.