Great Central Railway history

In 1904, the Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railway (WM&CQR) was in receivership and the GCR being the principle creditor, decided to buy the company out, giving the company a foothold in North Wales.

In 1905, the company's registered address was moved from Manchester to Marylebone, the actual relocation of staff had taken place several years previously.

In 1906 there were several significant acquisitions, the Wigan Junction Railway, the Liverpool, St Helens & South Lancashire Railway and the Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway (LD&ECR). The GCR was already closely associated with the first two lines.

Also in 1907, Wath concentration yard opened.

Immingham Dock was opened in 1912 by King George V. At the opening ceremony, apparently unplanned, the King knighted Sam Fay.

In 1958 the ex-Great Central was re-allocated to the Midland Region of British Railways and so were sown the seeds of its decline as a main line to London.

Through expresses were withdrawn in 1960 and a very poor semi-fast service introduced between Nottingham and London.

Country stations such as those at Belgrave & Birstall, Rothley and Quorn & Woodhouse were closed in 1963.

In 1966 the line closed as a though route to London and the line was severed just south of Rugby while the proud station at Nottingham Victoria was demolished.

Until 1969, when the line was finally closed, a DMU service ran from Rugby to Nottingham Arkwright Street.

Fund raising was always a problem so in 1971 the Main Line Steam Trust was formed and registered as a charity in order to raise funds through covenants.