Archives From The Great Central Railway

Examining the history and continued social, environmental and economic impact of the railway's 'London Extension', which ran between London and North Nottinghamshire from the 1890s to the 1960s.

Search 2500 images, including S.W.A. Newton's unique photographic record of the line's construction and others from before and after its closure. View track and engine plans, enjoy videos and sounds and read stories about Britain's last main line railway to be built in the Victorian era.

Newton's photographs can be bought online - look for the 'Buy This Photo' links.

The Last Main Line

About Us

Background information about this project and the Record Office, including sources, credits and the website's redevelopment.

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Stories

Learn about the history of the line, the people who built and worked on it, the ground-breaking engineering techniques used, locomotives, stations and memories.

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Multimedia

Video clips of the preserved section of the GCR, plus sound files including an interview with the driver of an engine which derailed in 1949.

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Locomotive Plans

Ten steam engine plans from the engine manufacturer Beyer Peacock and Co. Ltd. of Manchester. Zoom in and drag to inspect each plan closely.

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Track Plans

Choose from 34 plans of the line between Annesley and Rugby drawn in 1901. Zoom in and drag to inspect each plan closely.

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Route Map

Follow a modern map of the path of the GCR from Manchester to London, with links to historic images throughout. The map also shows construction contracts, branch lines and alternative routes.

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