Aylestone

This section covers the line from south of the goods yard, across Aylestone Meadows towards the city boundary.

Click here for a map of this area from Bing
Notes on using the Bing Map
The map linked to is the Ordnance Survey map.
To see an aerial photograph of the area covered by the map click on the tab labelled “Ordnance Survey” near top right of the screen and select ‘Aerial’ from the drop-down list.
When finished with the map click on the browser ‘Back’ button till you return here.

The Great Central Way follows the whole of the track bed here.  The first few hundred yards is over filled in cutting, but most of the route is on a high embankment over the low lying Aylestone Meadows around the River Soar.  Many footpaths have been opened across the fields in this area since the closure of the Great Central and many link up with the Great Central Way which is now very popular with dog walkers, joggers, cyclists, and horse riders.  At nearly every bridge over road, track way, canal, or river there is a path or steps down.

Past concerns about security have been addressed by the installation of several CCTV cameras and the route is well maintained, though the vegetation flourishes.

Bridge on ex-Midland railway over the Great Central Way, Leicester

Looking north along the Great Central Way underneath the bridge carrying the Leicester to Burton line. Behind the photographer the Great Central track entered a cutting which is now filled in.  The footpath rises steeply here and and passes round a small industrial estate which has been built over the track bed.

"Peak" 45001 crossing Great Central Way, Leicester

For comparison with the previous photograph, this is the same scene in 1985 when the Great Central Way footpath had not long been completed and before the shrubbery had taken over.  This is 1-Co-Co-1 “Peak” class 45 001 heading north on the ex-Midland Railway Leicester to Burton line with a train of ballast empties for one of the granite quarries.

Site of GCR track bed, Wolverton Road, Leicester

The small industrial estate over the filled in cutting at Wolverton Road.  The track bed lies underneath the road and the buildings on the left, looking north.

GCR bridge infilled, Great Central Way, Evelyn Road, Leicester

The bridges were simply left in place round here when the cutting was filled in, as here at Evelyn Road.

Great Central Way, Evesham Drive, Leicester

The Great Central Way is popular, especially with dog walkers.  At this bridge off Evesham Drive there is a small parking area.

Click here for a street map and aerial photograph of the cetral part of this area from Google Maps
Notes on using the Google Maps
The map linked to is a large scale street map which unfortunately does not show the route of the disused railway.
However, to see an aerial photograph of the area covered by the map click on the “Aerial” tab at the bottom left of the map.
When finished with Google Maps click on the browser “Back” button till you return here.

Great Central Way, River Soar bridge, Leicester

The track bed is dead straight across Aylestone Meadows, as can be seen here at the bridge over the River Soar, looking south.

Great Central Way, River Soar bridge, Leicester

Down at river level.

GCR Braunstone Lane East bridge

The bridge across Braunstone Lane East, looking south.

GCR Braunstone Lane East bridge

Down on Braunstone Lane East.

Repairs to GCR Braunstone Lane East bridge

In March 2006 the bridge carrying the Great Central Way over Braunstone Lane East is undergoing repairs.  On weekdays there was a single lane open controlled by traffic lights, but the road had to be closed completely for several weekends for the work to continue.

Repairs to GCR Braunstone Lane East bridge

Quite drastic repair work taking place on the sides of the bridge over Braunstone Lane East.

Click here for a street map and aerial photograph of the south part of this area from Google Maps
Notes on using the Google Maps
The map linked to is a large scale street map which unfortunately does not show the route of the disused railway.
However, to see an aerial photograph of the area covered by the map click on the “Aerial” tab at the bottom left of the map.
When finished with Google Maps click on the browser “Back” button till you return here.

GCR bridge over Grand Union canal, Aylestone

Bridge over the Grand Union Canal, which has finally separated from the River Soar, looking south.

GCR bridge over Grand Union canal, Aylestone

Underneath the bridge over the Grand Union Canal, from the east.  The riveted method of construction is well worth examining.

GCR bridge over Grand Union canal, Aylestone

The site of a well-known photograph by Horace Gamble of lads fishing while a Black Five heads south with a passenger train.

GCR Marsden Lane bridge

Bridge at the end of Marsden Lane, leading to a small car park for walkers, and steps up to the Great Central Way.

Soar Valley Way bridge over GCR track bed

The Great Central Way dips down to go under the new Soar Valley Way, which is the Outer Ring Road, here looking north.

Great Central Way through nature reserve

The Great Central Way continues a little further south, and enters local nature reserves, where there is little of railway interest.

© 2001-2024   Text and photographs copyright Nigel Tout, unless otherwise indicated.