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We reach Leicester – UK Rail Journeys
Series 2 Episode 04
In ‘We reach Leicester’ my journey continues northwards, and reaches the Thames Clyde’s first stop in Leicester.
Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast:
Radlett Aerodrome:
We pass the remains of the old Handley Page aircraft works at Radlett. In 1937 the pilot of a Harrow bomber misjudges his approach to the airfield. His undercarriage rips off part of the roof of the kitchen car of a London to Manchester express.
The kitchen car continues to Leicester where it is replaced with another. The delay? Only one hour.
Bedford and brickmaking:
We pass the remains of huge gashes in the landscape. These are the result of extracting clay for brick making. At the peak of brick making in 1936, the Stewartby Brickworks, the world’s largest, makes 500 million a year.
Today a thousand homes and a business park are being built as part of the redevelopment of the site.
Kettering:
We cross the river Ouse seven times in the Bedford area, and pass a stretch of the A6 called the Paula Radcliffe Way. The train is passing through beautiful countryside as we travel north.
At the stop at Kettering I marvel at the ironwork in the canopies over the platforms. In the 1970s British Rail submits plans to cut the supports off part way up and put on a plastic roof. The local Civic Society protests and saves the day!
Leicester railway station:
I leave the train at our stop in Leicester. This is the first stop on the traditional route of the Thames Clyde Express.
The modernisers have ruined much of Leicester station. However, the baroque façade remains and it is stunning. The domed clock tower is vaguely Indian in style. The clock is the only hand wound station clock on the railway network.
There is a porte cochere behind the façade. Today you can get a taxi there and go through the entrance to buy a ticket.
The architecture at Leicester has 3 stars in the Simon Jenkins book Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations.
Listen to the podcast to hear about the journey to Leicester and the story of this magnificent railway station.
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Music:
AKM Music licenses Steam Railway and Summer Party for use in this podcast.
