It was quite a walk back up the canal towpath on Saturday to the station and we passed by Taylor’s Bell Foundry en-route.
The entrance to the GCR displayed the date 1898 on the blackened gable ends of the building. It was £3 for a platform/museum/Loco Yard ticket and we could hear that some steam engines were already fired up. The booking hall and office was just as it would have been originally built in lovely dark solid wood.
GWR Engine 4452 was reversing back to fill up with coal and water to run around ready to take the next eight mile trip south to Leicester. Loughborough Station reflects the hustle and bustle of the 1950’s. The next station of Quorn and Woodhouse has a 1940’s theme. Rothley platform reflects the Edwardian era and Leicester North, which was opened in1991, is set in the 1960’s. It seemed to be quite a busy day with trains leaving every hour pulled by steam and diesel engines.
British Railways Engine No 78019, built in Darlington in 1954, was welcoming diners aboard on Platform 2. The engine driver had to make do with a roll for his lunch while he waited patiently. Ten train trips a day run at weekends, some diners and some just for passengers and they all run very punctually.
Feeling peckish we headed off to the smart Buffet Room to fill up. There was quite a selection of hot or cold food and drinks available, including alcoholic ones. This little fellow had come prepared for every eventuality, I wonder if he used to be a boy scout! There were two shops, one selling gifts and the Emporium which was crammed with all kinds of used books and railway related memorabilia and other goodies.
Here are two more images of GWR 5542 leaving for Leicester. We really enjoyed our day there soaking up the nostalgic atmosphere of sights, sounds and smells.
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