What is left in Leicester of the GCR?

[@mikecawood]

Closing the Great Central was madness.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

A good explore, but saddening and maddening to see the state of the remains, and that even more will be lost to *progress*. Nice ending though on the preserved section. Looking forward to the reunification.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. It's horrendous how we treat our history. The next parts will be great to film and hopefully watch!

[@davidlewis261]

As a Leicester lad I really enjoyed this tour of what is left of the GCR. My father always said he sat on the bridge on Evesham Road watching the trains. I am sure that bridge is still there all but buried. The Leicester Musuem Photo Archive has many superb photos of the GCR, and the bridges being dismantled. I have personally scanned many of them in during my volunteering shifts. Am sure you would find them very interesting. Maybe reach out to them and arrange a visit.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and yes I have seen the photos online but need to go in and look at the whole collection it must be fantastic. I covered the bridge in a previous video where I basically walked from Whetstone to Leicester! Lots of buried stuff unfortunately. Thanks again and more coming soon.

[@chriscarr3916]

The pub (Pump and Tap) and stairs were on the other side of the road exactly where the Leisure centre is now. They used to do an amazing Sunday roast 😁😢

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. Yes I realised after! I got sent a picture whoch showed it as it should be!! I never went in but so many people have said it was a good pub

[@chriscarr3916]

@MiddyExplores it was, beer, food and people were lovely. Was nice back then being a young man having a pint, roast and watch the Sunday Premier League footie 😁

[@thehauntedwitch1313]

I used to go to the pub when I Was 14 and sit outside drinking foster Tops. The entrance way was always a very tight fit. We are talking early 1990s. Used to go up the stairs too. My nan lived along the back of the track. Taking the support bridge down was a travesty.

[@alantheskinhead]

He also battled to keep Grange House in Thurnby, the home of Charles Bennion who left Bradgate Park to the city but he lost! Also my brother wrote a book for the government about the future of Leicester and that old railways could be used as new roads for freight as the GCR followed the M1 for a distance. There were even talks of monorails! But all we got was the inner ring road!

[@MiddyExplores]

Yeah that sounds like our local government and councils! They have made some truly awful decisions over the years, and continue to do so.

[@simonroyle2806]

I was a student living at Frog Island in 1983 when the Slater Street Bridge was taken down. The Vic Berry scrapyard dominated the city Centre with piles of trains.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I can't imagine watching it all get destroyed it's so sad. I have heard the scrap yard was a sight to behold!

[@richardharris4452]

Fantastic video again. Makes me want to visit Leicester with a set of ladders and get up & walk along the remaining track bed. Thank you

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and your kind comments. I agree and all I can say is watch this space.. Really glad you enjoyed the videos and there is a lot more to come!

[@adammoss5284]

The Bowstring bridge had it's deck cleaned out and painted back in the 80's. It had fresh coats of paint in that green, red, white and black finish that we see it in now. Several bridges got a wash and brushup and a lick of paint for the forthcoming sustrans Great Central Way. I seem to remember some welding work on the deck as a kid before it was painted again, but must have been A1 after all the attention it got. These bridges were higher than most and easily accommodated double decker busses making their way under from the southgates bus station area and so on. I stood on the bridge in the mid-80's marvelling at the construction. I don't think it was going to fall apart in a hurry. The surrounding masonry was as sound too. The viaduct was required to be removed and because of that the bridge could only then be supported from the old Garage side (where did all the old teracotta Austral tiles go?) - so it had to be demolished. Very sad. A unique place where river road and rail crossed each other. The bridge didn't give up without a gargantuan fight. Wm Lovatt did a great job on the ironwork. Great to see what's left of the line. I remember playing with friends back in the early 80's around the back goods warehouse (Roadline Depot) and the sidings at the back of the Western Hotel the tracks which stood in a dilapidated state on insulators. There was a large feral cat population around the old 'light' generator building. They were dispersed rapidly when the park was made, I remember one in my back garden en route to a refuge somewhere else - it was a huge blue-grey stripy thing of enormous size. They must have kept the rat population down which was a blessing. Lovely railway, always been a favourite 'underdog' of mine as it would have made an excellent high speed link. Slater street and the bowls club I'm sure will let you on their site anytime for a kind word. Thanks for sharing and you brought some memories back from my childhood.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and sharing your memories of the area. I love to hear stories of what was once there and the aftermath when it first closed. It's so hard to imagine now when walking around. Thanks again and I am glad it bought back good memories

[@adammoss5284]

@@MiddyExplores Thank you for sharing these great walks alongside remaining history. It's good for the future. Hard to imagine that Leicester had four stations, and one of those dates around 1829; the third oldest railway in the country. Precious little now remains, but what has remained seems to have endured. Good luck with the videomaking 👍

[@silverstar1964]

Wonderful video, good level of detail and explaining the history of the line in Leicester.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you and thanks for watching. Your comments mean a lot as it helps me to make future videos

[@evebeinguniquebeingme6205]

Always love the detail you point out there's so much history of the railway still stood around it's such a shame the rest closed down isn't it the service was probably more reliable back then too! 😂 Ah the Leicester north station where the bridge is we used to live down that road by the golf course hearing and seeing trains from upstairs when I was little 👏😄

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks as always for watching and your support. It really is amazing how much has survived (and II missed some apparently) The sound of the trans is amazing! it ,ust have been so nice hearing them all the time!

[@marybradley7791]

I enjoyed that video, great footage of the train, i did not realise that there was so much of the GCR still around. None of our railways should have been destroyed in the 60s, 70s and 80s to think how useful they would have been now makes me feel so mad, they did not even save that much by getting rid of them. I have visited the GCR once but i did not get off to explore the Leicester station, i will have to do it again.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you got watching and I am glad you enjoyed the video. There is some left but it's under threat in parts sadly. I agree they should have stayed open or mothballed until needed but sadly our predecessors didn't think like that!

[@PrinceJohn84]

I'm guessing the signal post on the arches was the former distant signal for Abbey Lane Sidings.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I have been told that before so I would tend to agree. I tend to shy away from giving out names on my videos as after so long they are open to interpretation and the whole comments section fills up with opinions!! I think you are 100% right though

[@Design2winLew]

Excellent vid as always from you , with your local knowledge of the area . Guess is some compensation that the still running part of the GCR is there as a memory of what was . Just sad that more of it could not have been saved .

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and your kind comments. So sad to think what could have been but I suppose we have at least got something left.

[@jimmybagpuss2091]

wo! 10:10 that building is Farben as in IG Farben - German company renowned for making products of death for the concentration camp gas chambers in WWII. Fantastic video! I really want to visit Leicester after a trip on the Great Central from Leicester North. You've inspired me!

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and I am glad I have inspired you to explore!

[@alanjewell9550]

The Last Arch should be Listed as it is of architectural & historical significance. Perfect example of the excellent GCR brickwork.

[@MiddyExplores]

I totally agree it's a great example of how the viaduct was built and how solid it was!

[@alanjewell9550]

@@MiddyExplores Just check the Historic England register & it's not listed. Next step is email local office to see if an application has already been submitted. I'll do that later.

[@johnm2012]

The nice thing about it is that it's a self contained unit. It hasn't had adjacent arches demolished because it was built between two steel deck bridges.

[@rodsmith3911]

Wasn't expecting to see a real train in this video! Even had a proper oil tail lamp. It looks like those hydraulic buffer stops could be from Leicester Central as there were similar ones in the bay platforms. Good to see you back in full swing!

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching. It certainly was a turn up for the books and I really wasn't expecting it at all! Thank you it's good to be back and recording our disappearing history again

[@oldBRfan]

The buffer stops at Leicester North are from the original end of the line at London Marylebone station.

[@oldBRfan]

Middy... You have done it again!! What a brilliant video documentary. From Upperton Road ex-wagon shed and sidings right through to Leicester North heritage GCR station. Great catch by filming the "Manor" class which was the guest engine for the GCR Autumn Steam Gala. Well done my friend. Can't wait for the trip to Loughborough. Thank you.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and your kind comments. I really enjoyed filming this one and the steam at the nd made my day! The best times are when something isn't planned! I will be continuing my journey soon thank you for your support.

[@robertvaughan9759]

Hi Middy love your enthusiasm and knowledge of what you are talking about.Cannot wait for the next instalment to loughborough.Years ago when they used the word Great it really was that good.All that effort to make it great and then they tear it apart.Your walk through the brambles beside the M1 was an acknowledgement to how really Great the Central Railway was and like visiting a grave you gave it much respect.Thankyou so much for reminding us and the world that we were once epic in what we could achieve,"Great "even.Thankyou Middy and carry on as you were.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and your kind words. I totally agree that when this was built it was designed to be great in every way not just in name. The quality and durability of all the bjdinvs is testament to their skills. It's a shame as you say that we didn't appreciate it more.

[@MiniCooper-l5l]

You timed that well the train you filmed was visiting for the autumn gala.

[@MiddyExplores]

I couldn't have timed it any better! I was filming the station and heard it coming in. Bi hadn't even planned to visit the station to be honest!

[@Le3icester]

The Pump and Tap! Great pub

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. Thats the place I just couldnt remember the name. Thanks for reminding me!

[@gordonnewton4832]

Shit hole

[@stewartmercer19]

My old company 'Cundy ltd' shot blasted and painted the bridges along there back in the early 80's. Starting with the Bow Road Bridge on St Augustine Road ( old river Soar) (That is still in it's original paint from when we refurbed it 40 years ago)All along to the Bowstring bridge and ending up at about Briton Street/ Western pub. Took around 2 years to complete. Fantastic job. Even better was, I was living at Roman Street at the time. Took 10 minutes to get to Bow Road bridge furthest point to work at from me house... even quicker when we worked our way along back up the river . With a beer each night afterwards at the Western. Pump and tap also got it's fair share of visits too. Good pub that was. Decent folk went there, known as a bikers pub. Criminal it got knocked down for a leisure centre..Anyway... Great video, Brought back some good memories.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I am glad it conjured up so many great memories. Its a shame they didn't keep all the bridges and maintain them

[@Jimyjames73]

Interesting how things change over he Years - W😮W 5:06 - What a Lovely Bridge - Yes shame the took it down 🙁 Good that you are recording it for the Future. All that time & effort to build the Lovely Railways & for what - Just for decades later for then to close the line just so they can tear them down!!! 🙁 Thanks for sharing 😉🚂🚂🚂

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. It does change and I suppose change is inevitable but this was a huge historic mistake made on a bad policy and the outcome is wasting all those years of hard graft by demolishing it without a second thought. Very sad

[@chriscarr3916]

The blue brick bridge abutments are still present on Devonshire Road, Blackbird Road, Beaumont Leys Lane and Thurmaston Road. There are some amazing old photos of this as well. The 'single arch' wasn't single, when the previous business (caravan sales) expanded, the blue brick arches from the river upto what you seen now, were demolished. This happened I think in the early 00's.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for the I foni will have a look and put an update on the next video. Thank you for watching

[@edbridges1164]

Soon PJ you'll be able to go from Leicester North - Ruddington! (Edit:- I said this before you said it in the video DOH) so I think this line could be the very first Preserved railway that could use the "Inter-City" name. Keep up the excellent work Sir Middy of Leicestershire

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and the new name which I will use wherever I go!! it really will be a fantastic railway and will give this section a link to the mainline as well. great days ahead for the Great Central!

[@ianchapman9585]

I live in Leicester found this video very interesting thanks for showing.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I am making more videos around Leicester in the coming weeks so stay tuned!

[@GrahamMacdonald-w9o]

As someone who lives near the old track of the Great Central, there were elements of the story that were unknown to me. Next time I cycle across Bede Park, I shall stop to see what is visible through the bushes. I cycled past where the Bowstring Bridge used to be this morning. The bridge had become a bit of an eyesore, in my opinion and the derelict area at the end of Braunstone Gate, i.e. the area by the embankment for the bridge, looks pretty scruffy. I expect they will build there more trendy restaurants that never seem to be financially viable and of course proposals for even more student flats, which never seem to get turned down by the Leicester City Council's planning committee.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and as I always say there is history all around if we look! I agree the area is looking a bit of a mess now and I guess it's just a matter of time until the future plans become apparent. Hopefully it won't be anything to offensive!

[@only1hawky]

Yet another entertaining and interesting Middy Explores video production, and with an unexpected but fantastic finale! I believe that I have been on that very same train, back in 2016 or 2017 when I was part (volunteer) of a group booked by a local charity for the visually impaired. It was a great day out and I would love to do it again sometime. If I can find the photos, I’ll ping them over to you via Messenger.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you David and thank you for the photos in the video they helped so much. I am planning a day or two filming on the railway so you may get that chance! Perhaps I should charter a middy special!!

[@davesutherland2e0fok56]

Back in 1997 i did my forklift training at coates on top of GCR station at frog island

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I remember the place well I got my licence up there as well! All gone up there now I don't know if they moved?

[@stephencave187]

​@@MiddyExplores Pretty sure Coates are still up there. Used to take our wagons up there for tail-lift repairs. Great video. My Dad lived on All Saints road as a kid....30's/40's...next to Central station. I was brought up on Filbert st in 70's and remember the scrap yards on Western Boulevard. We used to take old bike frames or prams up there and get a few pennies to buy sweets.

[@mikebass3721]

The pub was the Gt Central Hotel .As a teenager I use to climb along the bank under the Slater st viaduct to fish behind the hosiery factory (where my mum & Gran worked as machinists)on frog island. I lived in (now demolished) terraced house on Abbey Gate next to St Leonard’s church ( also demolished)until I was 5 yrs old. My Gt Grandad was a signalman at the bridge signalbox off Fosse Rd / hospital lane.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. Great memories of a former age, thanks for sharing. So many people have great stories of life back then, seemed so much easier!

[@shortangrybloke]

There used to be a large signal post and gantry on top of the arch by the entrance to the Jewry wall museum. I worked on the museum building around 20 years ago when I saw it. Vic

[@MiddyExplores]

Hi Vic hope you are well. The area has changed so much now with more changes to come unfortunately. I bet that was a sight back in the day

[@stevenstopford9847]

Amazing video many thanks 👍🏻

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you so much I am glad you enjoyed it, more coming soon.

[@john-pu5uy]

Fantastic day mate... loved it.... cheers for your efforts

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching and your kind comments more on the way!

[@kevballard1967]

I used to go fishing with Bob Berry. One of his brothers as fars as i can remember.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I am sure he had some stories to tell about the place! It's hard to imagine it even existed now

[@kevballard1967]

@MiddyExplores I remember it as a young lad, I actually worked with a guy who around there somewhere used to strip tge lead out of car batteries. He had to wear all the stuff to be protected against any acid.

[@Rachelhappyface]

As someone who grew up in Birstall I was always absolutely gutted that I couldn’t hop on a train straight into town! And I’m always annoyed that the station isn’t called Birstall 😂

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. There is a story to the name which I will cover in a later video as I asked the same question when I was there! I get annoyed that I can't hop on a train in Whetstone and go to town or off to London!!

[@Michael43713]

Great work.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@gordonthegofa]

I think the building shown was, I could be wrong, the Farben Works, Slater Street, The derelict remnant of a far larger industrial site, this grade II listed building. It is on Leicester City Council’s at-risk register and is classed as being in poor condition. Very interesting video 👍

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching and your kind comments. That does sound familiar and it was in much better condition last time I saw it. These buildings need to be saved they define the history of this city.

[@jdxijames]

Vic Berry's scrap yard was always an amazing site. My dad referred to it as asbestos central.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching. I can remember it but never went to it to look around. I am sure back then all sorts went through there!

[@stephencope7178]

It would have been cheaper to reinstate the G.C. than the HS2!!

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I would have agreed with that up to the late 80s but when a lot of the line has been redeveloped and built on the costs would have increased 10 fold. In Leicester alone the compulsory purchases would have cost billions. The line should have been mothballed in 1970 and reopened as we needed it, the cost then would have been minimal

[@stephencope7178]

@@MiddyExplores True....I hear that there are proposals now to extend the HS2 to Crewe!

[@alantheskinhead]

I owned the single arch many moons ago on Ravensbridge Drive!

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. Wow! That is incredible, what is the story with it? How did it survive?!

[@22whizzo56]

The REAL reason the Bowstring bridge and indeed all other GCR infrastructure has been obliterated, is because Leicester council didn't want the GCR to be reinstated.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I would agree with that as the bulldozer moved in on the viaduct the day after the line closed.

[@alanjewell9550]

The Bowstring Bridge was in poor condition & almost impossible to salvage due to its construction. All the nooks & cranies are rust traps exposed to the weather. It's the bridge equivalent of a Leyland mini! Any further use would have required replacement. By contrast, the next bridge south is in excellent condition, at least the main structural girders, as the deck is on top & protects them from the weather.

[@davebuckley1760]

I lived in Leicester in mid 1980s and lived off Narborough Road--remember the massive bridge next to the sports centre and the scrapyard. Didn’t there used to be a Statue of Liberty on a corner around there?

[@davidblevins5007]

If the Great Central was ever rebuilt which is highly unlikely from Leicester North to Rugby how much would it cost and would a replica of the bowstring bridge be possible

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. I am sure if possible it would cost billions as many sections have been built on and contrary to popular belief even the sections that aren't developed aren't suitable for a modern railway. I don't think it would ever happen but the costs would be similar to hs2

[@MM0IMC]

Fantastic upbeat ending.👍

[@MiddyExplores]

It doesn't get much better than that! Made a pleasant change

[@alantheskinhead]

Leicester has suffered seriously over the years with feckless councils and their meddling. I have just bought a place in Groby as I intend to retire back to Leicester where I was born and bred from London. As cities go, Leicester still retains a lot of it's older history. Maybe not on the scale of Nottingham where my dad had his offices. But Leicester still has the old bits and RIII. Even a walk around the back of Holy Bones will reveal parts of city that people never ever go to. It 's what I call a "Look Up City", you need to look up! Also we have everything from Roman, Medieval, Tutor, Regency, Edwardian, Pre, Inter and Post war buildings. So we don't do too bad. Unlike Northampton that lost everything, we kept a lot of our history!

[@MiddyExplores]

I absolutely agree and a very undervalued city in many respects. I am intending to video more and more of the city as time goes on. As much as it frustrates me at times it's still home and I am proud of it.

[@johnimmins7302]

Excellent.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@minisareus]

Odney manor from the west Somerset railway its a shame they made sure the railway was not going back to Leicester central

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. It certainly is a shame and they definitely made sure it wasn't coming back!

[@stevenfromleicester2529]

Sometimes Youtude does recommend the right videos. Loved watching this. +1 sub from me

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you and thanks for watching. Really glad you enjoyed it and welcome aboard. Loads on here already and more coming up!

[@davidblevins5007]

No more demolition should take place it's very sad that the remaining arches beside where the bowstring bridge was are earmarked for demolition as well

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you and thanks for watching. It is very sad. The part near the station is most at risk sadly but the area near the bowstring Bridge is looking very sorry for itself

[@alantheskinhead]

My dad battled for years to keep the old railways around Leicester as even then he was thinking of cycle and walking routes in and out the city. Alas the local clowncils refused anything like that and sold out to the Leicester & De-Montfort Unis. Even turn them into a light rail system! But no. The clowncil wanted money!

[@MiddyExplores]

Thank you for watching. He obviously knew his stuff as it would now have been very well used and appreciated by the people of Leicester.. Some terrible decisions been made over the years

[@daystatesniper01]

Good video any one reading this were you a member of the cage brigade ? you will know who you are

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed the video

[@piers995]

The City Council and DeMonfort University acted despicably over the demolition of the Bowstring Bridge and the Pump & Tap pub. I still hold a grudge over it. That tin shed of a swimming pool is hardly anything to be proud off. The pub is under the swimming pool 😢

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching and I totally agree. Those tin buildings last 30 years at best and then look a massive eyesore. The bridge could still be attracting tourism and would have made at least a nicer walk into the city

[@smithyhouses100]

Wow ! A fantastic ending to your latest video a real live steam loco. Lets have more,so much nicer than you getting ripped to pieces pushing through brambles and bushes.Thanks for posting.

[@MiddyExplores]

Thanks for watching. It is certainly a lot more civilised that's for sure! And certainly a lot easier!! More coming from the active gcr in the near future

[@smithyhouses100]

@@MiddyExplores That`s great,can`t wait !

[@admiralbenbow5083]

The question should be, "Whats left in Leicester" ?

[@MiddyExplores]

I honestly think like that when I go into the town centre. Aside from a couple of gems it's pretty bleak

[@petercastell4450]

Thinking of commenting ? don't bother mentioning places where more information can be found you will be deleted

[@MiddyExplores]

? I haven't deleted anyone? I have got to put the gcr link in the Comments tbf but I have always been polite and friendly to all comments so I am not entirely sure where you are coming from.?

[@petercastell4450]

@@MiddyExplores I tried again and within a few hours it had dissapeared

[@mikecawood]

Oh dear, a GWR steam loco, I don't like GWR steam locos.

[@MiddyExplores]

Tbf I had no idea it was! I was too excited seeing live steam on a railway I have covered so much for being forgotten and overgrown!