GCR Bridge Project

[STEVIEBOY1]

I saw on the GCR Website last night, that there is something called the Canal Bridge that also needs assistance, but I could not work out where that was, is it part of the extention to link up over the MMR and towards Ruddington?

 

[Flying Phil]

I saw on the GCR Website last night, that there is something called the Canal Bridge that also needs assistance, but I could not work out where that was, is it part of the extention to link up over the MMR and towards Ruddington?

Hi Stevieboy
Yes the Canal bridge is the next major part of the "Gap" project. As you go North from the GCR engine shed there is the canal. Then there is 300m of embankment to be rebuilt, then bridging over the Falcon Road/PreciSpark car park and you reach the new bridge over the MML......Then the missing 30m of embankment and then onto existing track North to Ruddington. There is a video presentation on the GCR website showing this.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Hi Stevieboy
Yes the Canal bridge is the next major part of the "Gap" project. As you go North from the GCR engine shed there is the canal. Then there is 300m of embankment to be rebuilt, then bridging over the Falcon Road/PreciSpark car park and you reach the new bridge over the MML......Then the missing 30m of embankment and then onto existing track North to Ruddington. There is a video presentation on the GCR website showing this.

Thank you for clarifying that. I just found out that I may be in that area in a couple of months and a trip on the GCR is planned.

 

[AndyY1951]

As Flying Phil says, have a look at the presentation on the GCR website. Also have a look at Google Earth, all the features of the Gap can be identified. It hasn't been updated to show the new bridge over the MML yet, but work had started at the last update.

 

[Flying Phil]

I visited Loughborough today and the scaffolding is still up around the North abutment and no other changes to the site. I then went to the station and got chatting to a "reliable source"..... who was led to believe that NR had a couple of queries re the bridge that just needed clarifying before they could take it over (They then lease the use back to GCR).
The missing bit of the North embankment needs a wider base because it is going to be higher than before - which I had forgotten about! This wider base does impinge upon the watercourse so a narrower steeper embankment will be needed with some specialist material/techniques - so no wheelbarrows just yet.....
There is planning going on to relocate the "stuff" stored alongside the engine shed and to the North of the shed, but where to put it all is a problem - some may go to Swithland.
The good news is that fundraising for the Canal bridge is going really well so, hopefully, work could still start later this year.

 

[Gostav]

On last Sunday l visited GCR and talked with a staff about the future. He laughing said “Everybody think the shed will to be remove! no, the shed will still be there.” and told more information about the gap link.
So l drawing this map

 

[AndyY1951]

That looks like the scheme shown in the latest issue of 'Main Line'.

 

[Gostav]

Yesterday i visited GCR again with bad weather and now l drew the carto.metro style route map showing all track and shed.
I never find any locomotive to be turn around by Q&W turntable even most time the turntable just a part of the siding for wagons.

 

[Flying Phil]

Well done Gostav - that's a good representation of the GCR track but the new line from the Loughborough Station will (eventually) be double track past the engine shed and onto the embankment.
The turntable at Quorn is used infrequently, usually at Gala events. The "siding for wagons" is where I have been/am painting the grey "Windcutter" spare wagon rake.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

That is a useful and interesting map.

How do you get access to the Mountsorrel branch, do you have to walk from Rothley to Swithland?

 

[Flying Phil]

That is a useful and interesting map.

How do you get access to the Mountsorrel branch, do you have to walk from Rothley to Swithland?

Actually you would need to walk to Nunckley Hill and the "Granite Cafe", (about a mile and a bit), as there is usually no public access to Swithland Sidings. I expect there will be some dates where a shuttle (DMU?) service operates from Quorn, up the branch, then return via Rothley. It should be easier now as they have done most of the signalling work I believe.

 

[Flying Phil]

I went to the GCR at the weekend and there was still scaffolding around the North abutment and a handrail is still missing. The Canal Bridge/Planning Fund has now reached £115K so I hope that they will be able to start the work at the end of this year. There has been no change around the engine shed or between the Shed and canal.

 

[AndyY1951]

I've heard 'on the grapevine' that a problem has been identified with the new bridge which will require rectification taking ten weeks work, so not trivial. Fortunately at no cost to the GCR.
Can anybody confirm the veracity of this story, and if so give any more details?

Andy

 

[Flying Phil]

That's interesting Andy, and ties in with what I reported on post #425. It would be good to have an "official" update on the GC website.....But I will have another "nose" around soon!

 

[Flying Phil]

Following my "nose" around I have also been told that the contractors still have some work to finish off before NR will take over the bridge, but this does not affect the GCR.

Re the Canal Bridge, in this month's "Steam Railway" #479, the fund has now reached £130K and the GCR's MD Michael Gough has said "This enables us to make a start in the Autumn, provided the site has been cleared in readiness and subject to planning permission".
So that is great news!

 

[Cowley]

Excellent news Phil. Thanks for the update as always.

 

[AndyY1951]

I can't see why planning permission should be needed to refurbish an existing bridge?
Indeed I recall the GCR said that one of the reasons for doing the canal bridge next was that planning permission wasn't required, so it could proceed whilst planning applications were in for reinstating the embankment.

 

[Flying Phil]

Hi Andy - I too wondered about that, but might it be "permission" from the Canal authorities and such like? Also "site clearance" must be only the GCR to the South, but work on the North end of the Canal bridge might need permission from the land owners? Charnborough Borough Council?
Still it is good news that progress is to be maintained.

 

[AndyY1951]

That would make sense. As you say, good that progress continues.

 

[Flying Phil]

I have just received the Summer issue (#175) of the GCR "Main Line" magazine and it says that the Canal Bridge fundraising is going well and contractors could be starting work on lifting the bridge out for repair in the Autumn. However the area North of the Shed will need to be cleared before then.
There is also the proposal that the Engine Shed (- which was a redundant aircraft hanger when bought SH to the railway in the 1970's!) instead of being updated, could have a new steel framed building to the West of the existing shed and so the alignment to the North stays on the original formation.
This would seem to be a very good solution to several problems. The existing shed would need a lot of money spending very soon, as it is in really poor condition. A new shed would have better noise and thermal insulation, probably better smoke pollution measures. It could have an interior crane/lifting facility. In an ideal world it could have better education/visitor viewing facilities. It retains its road/worker access to the West. It is further away from the new houses that are now on the East side.
The running lines to the North would not have the "kink" to go round the North end of the shed.
Yes, it obviously will be expensive and disruptive for the running operations from the Shed - but updating the existing facility may cost almost as much and would be as disruptive - if not more so.
I think this makes such a lot of sense!

 

[AndyY1951]

My 'Main Line' hasn't arrived yet, I look forward to reading the article.
The engine-shed proposal sounds the best long-term solution to me.
I must admit I've always though lifting the canal bridge out for refurbishment would make sense, minimal disruption to the canal and maximum safe access to all the steelwork and to the masonry.
Andy

 

[Cowley]

Thanks Phil. The possible shed plan sounds good to me.
I’m at work now but I’ll have a look at maps later. I didn’t realise that there was enough room to build it there.

 

[Gostav]

Maybe the plan like that
The engine shed near the coach works and the main line near the east side

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks for that Gostav - I think that is what is being proposed. I think it will "overlap" onto the existing shed footprint in the middle to retain the three track width of the shed.
Another advantage is that the central (existing) shed road already extends almost to the Canal Bridge - however it is in poor condition. It could be used for "works trains" to dump material for the required embankment though?

 

[Kettledrum]

Replacing the existing Loughborough shed with a new one makes sense for all sorts of reasons. (1) Financially it could even be cheaper that repairing the existing one, (2) you get something purpose built - possibly with a built in crane????????? (3) it releases the original GCR formation for the main line to the canal bridge.

All this is hugely exciting.

 

[Flying Phil]

Another possible advantage could be, that the steelwork from the old shed is used to make a covered carriage storage shed somewhere else on the railway? However, it may well be too far gone and a new structure would be cheaper......

 

[Flying Phil]

From the GCR website
Future of AC Cars Railbus 79976
Published June 5, 2018 | By GCR Admin
On behalf of the management.

In order to start the next phase of the Bridging the Gap project, clearance of the area north of the Loughborough locomotive shed has begun.

For several years, the AC Cars Railbus 79976 has been left untouched without any firms plans for restoration.

Following a recent push to find a new home for the vehicle, to no avail, the decision was taken to begin the heartbreaking process of dismantling the vehicle. This decision was not taken lightly.

However, following a recent enquiry from a prospective buyer, further dismantling has ceased.

We hope that in the coming weeks this vehicle will have a new owner.

Posted in Main Line

 

[mushroomchow]

I do hope it's sold - a terrible waste if it is scrapped.


I thought it had been acquired with a view to restoring for use on the Mountsorrel branch?

 

[Flying Phil]

I do hope it's sold - a terrible waste if it is scrapped.


I thought it had been acquired with a view to restoring for use on the Mountsorrel branch?

I also thought it would be useful on the branch - but I don't know who actually owns it and it will need a lot of work/money to get it running - but I too, hope it goes to a good home and is restored.
I am very glad to see that the railway is getting the area cleared though, as it maintains progress on closing the "Gap".

 

[Flying Phil]

I looked around the North of the shed yesterday and there were changes - two big containers have arrived so possibly some "stuff" will go in them and they will be taken away?