A collection of colour photographs illustrating the direct line between Loughborough and Chesterfield from the 1970s to the beginning of the 2020s. Despite being the most direct route from London to Sheffield, the Erewash Valley line has seen mainly freight traffic on its central core for many years, with a few railtours, special workings and the express “Master Cutler”, the exceptions to the rule.
The route has many interesting features, linking the busy railway junction at Trent, through the once bustling yards at Toton, to the main line at Clay Cross. It has been witness to much in the way of change over the last half a century. Infrastructure, traffic types, wagons and locomotives have all changed markedly over the period.
The Erewash Valley Line records this changing scene and illustrates an outstanding variety of locomotives, operations and liveries. Long forgotten traffic flows are seen alongside modern bulk freights, with various unusual workings thrown in for good measure. A snapshot of diesels working from the corporate British Rail era to the years of privatisation.
All the photos are accompanied by explanatory captions and most are presented in two-per-page format. 96 pages