Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

That would be a good bit of publicity.

 

There is now scaffold up around the South end of the Canal Bridge and the cantilever beam is in position to lift that end of the bridge for repairs to those bearing pads. No sign of the lattice sections yet.

 

This is about HS2, but mentions the GCR and the NR Expert is the chap who designed the new bridge and alignment.

 

What an interesting video, and the analysis of HS2 was very good. Well worth a wider audience. The NR expert was very engaging, I would like to read his heritage rail thesis!

 

He misses the point that HS2 doesnt help out those who lost a line to Beeching. It is fine for the big places but ignores the rest of us.

 

For another thread, but that depends a lot on where you are, and whether Beeching reversal could ever help in those circumstances.


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Progress on the South end of the Canal bridge as new steel has been put in above the bearing pad (The light grey painted sections)...apologies for poor quality photograph.(..into the sun, which just came out from behind a cloud!).

 

Another update has appeared on their website..
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/

Details of the next stage look as if they will be announced in the next month or so!

 

I had a quick look topside of the Canal Bridge. It looks as though the major repairs are complete, as the red and white water containers, which acted as counterweights, are no longer on the bridge decks. There was no sign yet of the lattice sections.

 

Lattice sections still not in place but I think all the steel work jobs are done. Brickwork is being pointed and repaired.

 

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2020/03/reunification-press-release-the-next-phase/

 

I'm surprised that only 400 people are regular monthly contributors to the scheme - come on you lot!!!

 

As one of them, and administrator of a church planned giving scheme, I’m not. Getting people to go from “that’s nice” to “I’ll give some money” to filling out the form for a monthly donation is hard. And that’s without considering the many people who will think “that’s nice” but already be fully financially committed.


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To help understand this new work this picture (Posted earlier in the thread) shows the "N" gauge model of this section but, to save time, here it is again...(.complete with wrong line working and a dinosaur!)

 

Confused, wheres the Canal ?

 

Couple 100 metres to the left, this is the section adjacent to the MML, which the latest appeal is for.

 

Basically the "Gap" is about 1/2 mile long. The Canal Bridge is at the Southern end and is just to the North of Loughborough engine shed. Then there is 300m of missing embankment. Then we get to where this new appeal is centered, with bridges/arches over the Precispark car park/tip access road. Finally, there is the new bridge across the MML and reconnection to the GCR(N) railway.

 

I recollect that the fund-raising for the canal bridge was also to cover further design work and obtaining planning permissions. Does anyone know whether/what progress has been made on these activities?

 

Hi AndyY
I would presume that the fact of starting this "Factory Flyover" phase of work, reflects that the design work and planning permissions have been completed and paid.

 

Wait, there are only 400 people signed up to give monthly? I'm one of them.... if the number is that small maybe they'll lay on a 'monthly donaters only' special as one of the first trains over? (It would be a nice thank you if they did). Then of course everyone who hasn't will be crying about fair play.