Developments at Mountsorrel are very impressive. Dramatic progress has been made over a relatively short period of time. The purpose-built Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre is spacious and the information boards are thoughtfully presented. The café has already established a good reputation and the museum has some interesting exhibits.
Coach number 946 was built by the Great Central’s predecessor, the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, in 1888. It was later used as a holiday coach and then as a departmental vehicle before ending up on a farm, where it was used as a shooting lodge. Restoration took 16 years and the six-wheel carriage now has pride of place in the museum. The 0-4-0 saddle tank No. 314 was built in 1906 by Brush at Loughborough. She worked at Swansea docks up until her retirement in 1964. Four years later, she returned to Leicestershire, eventually coming to Mountsorrel via the now closed Snibston Discovery Park.
The granite quarries here were connected to both the Midland Railway to the east and the Great Central Railway to the west, via the [now re-instated] link at Swithland Sidings. Some seasonal weekend workings bring passengers along the re-laid Mountsorrel branch.
Most notable of all, however, is the relationship built up with the local community, as evidenced by the range of projects being undertaken and the number of volunteers actively pursuing their various roles around the site.
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