Fledborough viaduct

The viaduct is a very substantial survivor of the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway, which later became part of the Great Central Railway. The early optimism of the LD&ECR was ill-founded, as it never reached either Lancashire or the east coast. Its route was limited to the stretch between Chesterfield and Lincoln, though it was built as a double-track main line.

Fledborough viaduct was constructed in 1897 and is 890 yards long. It consists of 59 brick arches across the River Trent flood plain and 4 steel girder bridges above the river, itself. After closure in 1964, the track was removed and it eventually became part of a Sustrans national cycle route.

It can be viewed today from Fledborough, but only at a distance, and more clearly from the east side of the river to the south of the structure. It can be accessed between the villages of North and South Clifton by walkers and cyclists from a path connecting the viaduct approach to the minor road.

Chester station

I pointed out to Chris where we had stood on the steps that still lead down from the Hoole Road overbridge on the occasions that we cycled to Chester to train spot. We probably only managed it once or twice, as we usually went by train. Looking down onto the station from the top of the steps today means viewing an extensive car park, as some of the bay platforms, where the Western Region trains arrived and departed were abandoned decades previously. After all, it was 60 years ago that I last stood here.

The station itself is largely unchanged and it brings back many memories. Chester was an interesting venue for trainspotters, as a wide mix of locomotive types could be seen, including WR, LMR and Standard classes. There are barriers at Chester today and as I strained to take a picture from behind the line, I was approached by a lady who was part of the station staff and she asked if I wanted to come through to take my pictures. How nice was that? She went on to tell me about the many charter specials that visit Chester these days and how enthusiasts were always made welcome. I found that very encouraging and rather refreshing, when the trend nationally is probably the other way, in the direction of suspicion and increased surveillance.

 

Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder

A statue outside in the forecourt and a plaque on the wall inside Chester station mark the substantial contribution of Thomas Brassey to the railway age. Born nearby and educated in Chester, Thomas Brassey lived and worked in Birkenhead, where he set up his Canada Works near Beaufort Road. He went on to build the first railways in France and became a prolific and successful railway engineer in Britain and in many other countries. He is referred to as the foremost railway builder of all and deserves to be  regarded in the same light as Brunel and Stephenson. 

 

Queen Hotel at Chester

We found a reasonable deal for this hotel, which is on the other side of the forecourt opposite Chester station. It was opened as the Queen Railway Hotel in 1860 and has been tastefully refurbished, while retaining its substantial attractions. The links with the past include an explanatory corridor mural and an LMS-era photograph of a Stanier Black Five at the head of a train in the station, which adorns the wall in the gents’ toilet. Convenient nearby overnight parking is accessed by passing through the elegant archway at Queen Hotel Mews.