Institution of Mining Engineers - East Midland Tour - 6th April 1991

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Sketch plan - not to scale from BLN 405 of 6 Nov 1980 by our epic BLN Editor at the time, Tony Jervis. Solid lines show the pre-1980 layout, dashed are the new (present) branch. The 1980 line was actually on the original main BSC alignment, with a small underbridge, when the headshunt ran further north as far as Corby Freight Depot. The sharp curve to the works was a later development.<br>[&copy; Tony Jarvis 1980]	Railtour map drawn by our member Dave Mellor.<br>[&copy; Dave Mellor 1991]	Railtour map drawn by our member Dave Mellor.<br>[&copy; Dave Mellor 1991]	Railtour map drawn by our member Dave Mellor.<br>[&copy; Dave Mellor 1991]	Railtour map drawn by our member Dave Mellor.<br>[&copy; Dave Mellor 1991]	Corby in 1961 with the Works and some of the ironstone branches. (The Wakerley branch is top right corner and had been extended by 1980.)	Looking back from the front of the 6 Apr 1991 railtour at the end of the BSC Corby branch; this shows the line into the steel unloading siding.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1991]
Industrial Railway Society 17 May 1980 farewell trip (advertised in BLN) over part of the once extensive Corby iron ore quarry network. The trip was nearly 6 miles from Gretton Brook shed to Wakerley - the longest branch - seen here with Harringworth Viaduct in the distance. Two ex-Western Region Class 14 locos ran 'top & tail' with 8 open tube wagons on what was, fortunately, a sunny day.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1980]	The tour (right) on Ratcliffe Power Station Fly Ash Loop (south) passing a merry-go-round train on the adjacent (north) coal discharge loop - there was no direct rail connection between them.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1991]	From the front of the tour approaching Gedling Colliery, Nottingham which still sent wagon load coal to the domestic market. These fairly new sidings were to the right of the old ones.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1991]	Jan 1980, a pair of Class 20s at Gedling Colliery old sidings with NCB wagons to the right.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1980]	From the rear of the railtour leaving Bennerley Coal Bunker, which was relatively modern at the time; the famous Bennerley wrought iron viaduct is in the background.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1991]	Drakelow Power Station after demolition of 'A' & 'B' stations showing their loop and the branch to the then remaining 'C' station. Burton-upon-Trent is at the top, Coalville is off bottom right.	The tour on Drakelow A & B loop approaching the coal unloading hopper house; Drakelow 'B' power station traditionally built in brick, is left. The steaming cooling towers are part of 'C' Station<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1991]
Then last train from Snibston. From the cab of the National Coal Board (NCB) loco hauling the final wagons to leave on 15 May 1985, crossing Belvoir Road crossing, (the main street in Coalville), heading to the junction - the colliery is behind. This trackbed is now a foot and cyclepath.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1985]	An earlier visit to Cadley Hill Colliery (the destination of the 15 May 1985 train) in Jun 1983; an NCB shunter is hauling a set of wagons through the loading bunker. Steam worked here regularly until about 1980 as the colliery manger was a steam enthusiast and collected industrial steam locos!<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1983]	Gedling Colliery in 1950; top left is Mapperley Landsale Depot (coal) & Mapperley Tunnel - the latter's poor condition caused closure of the line beyond Gedling Colliery Jn (by the 'L' in LNER) from 4 Apr 1960. Bottom right is to Colwick North, West & East Jns, Rectory Jn and Colwick Yards.	Later on 15 May 1985, from the rear brake van of the train of final wagons from Snibston Colliery, on the curve into Drakelow A & B loaded sidings, where the train reversed before proceeding to Cadley Hill Colliery.<br>[&copy; Ian Mortimer 1985]