Leicester Central station in 1970, a year after closure

Looking towards Loughborough and Nottingham from the north bay platforms at Leicester Central station, with a good crop of weeds on the platforms.  The tracks into the bay platforms had been taken up some years before.

From the end of the car park, just off the platforms at Leicester Central station, looking north with the north signal box and the bridge over Northgate Street.  The rust on the rails show that no train has been along here for a long time.

Leicester Central station looking south with track and signals out of use, and weeds taking over.

The station buildings and canopy do not look too bad.  This is the north-bound platform, looking south.

Leicester Central in 1971 with demolition under way

The following year, 1971, found a train in the platform at Leicester Central station, but alas it was a demolition train which is standing in the south-bound platform.  This photograph from the parcels dock, across the cars parked on the track bed of the sidings and loop line, shows demolition of the station buildings under way.

The sad sight of the derelict station buildings with the remains of the demolished canopy in front.

The view from the north end of the station.  The remains of the demolished canopy over the bay platforms lie in front of the main station buildings.

Looking south from off the end of the demolished north bay platforms, with the main station buildings in the distance.  Colour light signals had been turned sideways many years before when the bay platforms had been taken out of use.

Meanwhile, the canopy over the south bay platforms was rapidly being demolished.

Retrieving the ‘CENTRAL STATION’ sign in 1972

In 1972 the Main Line Steam Trust preservation group was allowed to remove the enamelled ‘CENTRAL STATION’ sign from the frontage of Leicester Central station for preservation at its headquarters at Loughborough Central Station.  Volunteers are assessing the work involved.

Here the volunteers from the Main Line Steam Trust (David Putt, Stuart Bailey, Phil Wheeldon and Bill Squires) are preparing to remove the ‘CENTRAL STATION’ sign.  It should be appreciated that over 50 years ago health and safety procedures were not as rigorous as today, though these people would have assessed the dangers involved and would have worked within the safety limits.  It can be confirmed that no railway enthusiasts were harmed during this operation.

The middle section of the ‘CENTRAL STATION’ sign is carefully lowered to the ground while screws on the remaining section are loosened.

Guarded by Bill Squires and Phil Wheeldon, the ‘CENTRAL STATION’ sign has been safely transported to the preserved Loughborough Central station, headquarters of the Main Line Steam Trust, which later adopted the name Great Central Railway.

Leicester Central locomotive shed derelict in 1975

The entrance for locomotives at the Leicester Central locomotive shed which had closed in 1964, seen here in 1975.  This area was dominated by Leicester power station, just across the river, and its tall pylons.  There is an aerial photograph of the shed on the ‘Old Photographs: Around Leicester’ page and some of the shed in use on the ‘Steam around Leicester Central’ page.

Inside the very derelict Leicester Central locomotive shed, long devoid of locomotives and tracks, 1975.

Site of Leicester Central carriage shed in 1983

The remains of the carriage sidings and the gas works building, originally used for generating gas for lighting the coaches, looking north, 1983.  Leicester Central station is a mile or so north while the main line and goods warehouse are off the picture on the right.  The Old River Soar runs directly behind the building.

Another view of the remains of the carriage sidings, looking north in 1983.  The main line ran in between these carriage sidings and the goods warehouse, seen on the right.

Old Photographs Section