LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington
LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

Nuneaton Trent Valley Station

The station was opened on 15th September 1847 when the London North Western Railway (LNWR) commenced opening the Trent Valley Railway in order to avoid the congested areas of Birmingham and Coventry on the route to London. The branch line to Coventry was opened in 1850 which together with the opening of the South Leicester branch put pressure on the capacity of the original station and a new island platform was subsequently built between 1868 and 1869. This replaced the Livestock station buildings on the up platform. The Livestock structure on the down side platform were superceded by a new station which incorporated bays at each end: the south end for Coventry trains and the north end for trains to Ashby and the Trent Valley line. This new arrangement was to be sufficient for the next twenty plus years but as passing traffic grew in the years before the First World War further development was required. In December 1910 two reports in The Times on the development of the station were published including the information the bay lines on the south side of the station were being converted into through platforms, while the old down platform was being transformed into an island. Two new tracks would be laid 'between this platform and the entrance to the station', and the buildings on the new island would be replaced, while a new side platform would be constructed, with station offices, a refreshment room and other facilities. Peter Lee notes in his book 'Nuneaton, Coventry & Leamington Railway' that work commenced in 1913 with the demolition of the second station and wasn't completed until 1915, the outbreak of the First World War impacting on the speed of completion.

The station initially was named Nuneaton and was a simple two platform structure. By the turn of the century as the station expanded it was renamed Nuneaton Junction (see image 'lnwrns3262') and utilised five platforms. Nuneaton offered passengers the ability to travel to any station on the Coventry and Leamington branches up to 18th January 1965 when passengers services ceased. (The services to Coventry and Bedworth recommenced in 1988). A similar service was offered on the Ashby branch when it was opened to passenger services on 1st September 1873 (goods trains had traversed the line in the preceding month). The Ashby branch was built primarily to serve the Leicestershire coalfield although passenger services linking Moira and Coalville Town with Nuneaton via Shackerstone were provided until 1st April 1918 when the services was withdrawn as a temporary wartime measure. The line reopened to passenger services on 1st May 1922 but the branch's inability to attract sufficient passenger numbers meant that it was closed to passengers on 13th April 1931. (Goods services continued to use the line until 19th July 1971). When the LNWR and Midland Railway (MR) became part of the London Midland Scottish Railway (LMSR) the station was renamed Nuneaton Trent Valley in order to distinguish it from the MR's Nuneaton station the latter being named Abbey Street, both occurring on 2nd June 1924. When Abbey Street station closed 4th March 1968 the station reverted back to being known as Nuneaton and took over responsibility for services to both Leicester and Nuneaton.

Stanley Jenkins and Mike Musson

Parliamentary Question reported in Hansard 14th February 1868

ACCIDENTS ON THE TRENT VALLEY RAILWAY.—QUESTION.

MR. NEWDEGATE said, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been directed to the dangerous state of the Nuneaton Station and level crossing on the Trent Valley Railway, and to the fatal accidents which have recently occurred there; and, whether he will have any objection to lay upon the table of the House two Reports of Colonel Yolland to the Board of Trade on this subject?

MR. STEPHEN CAVE Sir, the attention of the Board of Trade was directed to the dangerous state of the Nuneaton Station crossing by a Report of Colonel Yolland in January, 1865, and in consequence of a fatal accident which occurred there last month Colonel Yolland has again inspected the station, and reported that the crossing has not been altered, and that owing to the increase of traffic the danger is greater. A Copy of each of these Reports was sent to the Directors, which is all the Board of Trade can do in such matters. The last Report will shortly be printed among the Returns of accidents presented to Parliament. And I propose to move, at the proper time, that both be referred to the Committee on the London and North-Western Company's Bill of this Session. If the hon. Gentleman still wishes to move that these Reports be also laid upon the table of the House I shall offer no opposition.

The Growth of the London & North Western Railway

From the Nuneaton Observer 21st August 1896

Townspeople of Nuneaton, and indeed all those who are accustomed to travel by rail, have watched with keen interest the rapid developments ,which, of late years, have taken place in the passenger department at the London and North Western Railway Station. The unflattering contention made some thirty or forty years ago that Nuneaton was a place the railway had done nothing for hardly holds good at the present time. It is generally said that railway companies at their best are slow, lethargic reformers. But it is gratifying to note that at least the London and North Western Railway Company have, as far as Nuneaton is concerned, recognised their responsibilities. As the town has grown so has its railway connection, and more especially that section which it is my intention now to deal with. I fear the great majority of Nuneaton people have but a vague idea of the character and importance of the work carried on in that elaborate structure which meets the view of the traveller as he proceeds to the passenger department.

As one lingers awhile in the precincts of the station one can scarcely imagine that a dirty, ill-lighted, squalid-locking shed formerly stood in the place now occupied by well-appointed offices and extensive buildings. But yet we are told such was the case. Imagine a review of the growth of the goods traffic would prove of unlimited interest to the thousands into whose hands this journal falls. I arranged to have an interview with the Goods manager - Mr. F. S. Bull, who some twenty-three years ago entered the employ of the Company at Nuneaton, and who was thus in a position to give me a most interesting interview which I now have the pleasure of narrating. In going to the station I had always turned to the right. Consequently, in seeking Mr. Bull I had some strange ground to traverse.

Even now I ponder over the great risk I ran in reaching his sanctum. Dodging "shunters" may be fine exercise for the liver, but I must confess I did not breathe freely until I had landed safely upon one of the decks of the shed. Even then I had some little difficulty in finding the gentleman I sought; but eventually I was conducted through an office - where I noticed a staff of clerks busily engaged - to Mr. Bull's locale. The usual preliminaries over Mr. Bull said he started in the employ of the Company as soon as he left school, twenty-three years ago. At that time the outside work was carried on in a small wooden shed, capable of accommodating three wagons, by one man, while a single drayman was sufficient to attend to the goods' delivery. The inside staff consisted of a goods agent, a clerk and an apprentice. The goods manager's name was Mr. J. Chitham, who has since left the Co.'s employ.

"A great transformation has taken place", I remarked.

"Yes," said Mr. Bull, "we have now an extensive shed with an upper storey and commodious cellarage, in fact every convenience for dealing with an enormous traffic. In the early days a small hand crane was sufficient to meet our requirements, but now that is a thing of the past, and cranes on an improved principle are utilised. These are necessary, for the work is growing heavier daily. In addition to the ordinary work of the town there is the traffic connected with the large collieries, brick works, stone quarries, etc. All this traffic within an area of five miles is under my direct supervision, and the accounts therewith have to be dealt with in our returns."

"This entails a vast amount of work," I observed, "and I presume you have a large staff of clerks."

"Yes: thirteen clerks are required to cope with the work. Then in addition to these there is a large staff of shunters, goods porters and draymen."

"How many outside men have you?"

"About twenty-five."

"You have not been at Nuneaton continuously?"

"Oh no, I have resided in various counties, and have been employed at many different stations on the L & N W system."

Mr. Bull then suggested that I should take a look round, and together we passed out into the shed where bustle and activity reigned. My conductor told me that Nuneaton was known as a transfer station, by which I understood that goods trains containing merchandise for all parts of the United Kingdom were unloaded at this depot and subsequently transferred to the various stations, such as Rugby, Leamington, Hinckley etc. I next had the pleasure of seeing the cranes, of which Mr. Bull had spoken, in use. There are eleven of them in this particular department, driven by a gas engine, and so simple is the mechanism that a mere child is capable of raising or lowering 15 cwt. They are principally used for unloading and lowering goods into the cellars. While I was there twenty wagons were being unloaded by the large staff of goods porters under the superintendence of the goods foreman, Mr. Johnson. Formerly only two drays could back into the shed, but now six can be loaded at one time. Passing from amid the din and bustle we next directed our steps to the upper storey. This is approached by a large iron staircase. Before alighting at the top I was enabled to take a bird's-eye view of the town and suburbs, and what a magnificent view lay before us!

There amid its picturesque surroundings stands the Old Parish Church, a silent witness of events of bygone days, and further to the right are to be seen the numerous factories, mills, and other outward and visible signs of the town's growth. The room we now entered was both spacious and well-lighted, and fitted up with all requirements. I noticed there were four cranes here, and on going to a remote end of the room, found the gas engine - a five-horse-power Crossley - smoothly running. The merchandise stored on this floor consisted principally of dried and general goods, skips, &c. I called Mr. Bull's attention to the fire appliances, whereupon he told me that the men were regularly drilled.

This, I thought, was a wrinkle all mill-owners and manufacturers might well copy. A very useful appliance is the shoot leading from the upper to the lower floor. In the simplest manner possible heavy sacks of grain are shot from the upper loft into the cart beneath. The next spot we visited was hardly so pleasant - the cellar. But in a few minutes we had "light in our darkness". One could almost imagine oneself in a wine cellar, for on all sides huge casks were stored, but I am afraid the contents would not have been palatable had we sampled them. The cellar, however, is well-constructed with fine arches, and corridors, while a good supply of gas is always handy. While 'neath "the cold, cold ground," Mr. Bull told me that the traffic accounts of the following places were dealt with at Nuneaton:- Hartshill, Mancetter, Tuttle Hill Quarry, Nuneaton and Ansley Hall, Griff Colliery Company, Stanley Bros, Ltd. The Griff Granite Co., &c.

Outside, business operations were in full swing. Carts and drays were being loaded with the contents of the mineral wagons. Near the passenger station is a huge crane capable of raising ten tons. This is constructed on the old system and is utilised for raising heavy machinery. It had evidently just been brought into requisition, for a wagon near at hand contained some massive machinery. The fine dray horses of all railway companies have often attracted my attention and, in reply to my enquiry, Mr. Bull said at one time the hauling was done by two horses, whereas they now had ten stabled on the premises.

A good view of the yard can be obtained from the landing dock. It appears the workmen start at 4.30 in the morning, and with the usual shifts the work continues with unabated vigour till about 9 at night. An enormous amount of coal is unloaded here, and as many as forty trucks can be dealt with at one siding. The visit would not have been complete had I omitted to look in the stables, and the weighing-machine office. The stables were beautifully clean, and everything in "apple-pie" order. Fire-buckets were also in evidence. The occupants of the weighing-machine department have a busy time I should imagine, seeing that every cart, wagon, and vehicle of every description is placed on the bridge both on going in and coming out of the yard.

THE PASSENGER DEPARTMENT

Nuneaton station porters.

Let us now take a glance at the Passenger department. From a structural point of view few changes have taken place during the last fifteen years. In every respect excellent facilities are afforded for dealing with the passenger and parcels traffic, but it is evident that if the town continues to increase as rapidly in the future as it has during the last twenty years extensions will assuredly have to be undertaken. It was towards the close of a busy day that I found myself ushered into the presence of the genial station master, Mr. Edward Dutton, whom I have to thank for an excellent resume of the growth of the departments under his supervision during a period of fifteen years. It was on June 21st, 1881, that he commenced his duties as station master at Nuneaton. He came from Bletchley and succeeded Mr. Roads who was transferred to Stafford and from thence to Windermere, a position he still holds. As far as the accommodation is concerned, Mr. Dutton said the station is about the same now as when he first came. There were then six brakesmen but now 36 are constantly employed in addition to six reserved for emergency purposes. The number of guards is the same - four. Two additional inspectors have been appointed, viz., a night officer - Inspector Green, and Inspector Bradford, the latter having the supervision of the brakesmen. The number of shunters has been increased from six to nine and their hours of labour reduced from twelve to ten. The Charnwood Forest line has been opened during Mr. Dutton's term of office, and arrangements have also been made for the trains to run to and from Burton. The platform accommodation has not been altered. The foremen in this connection are Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Burditt. Transfer work has increased considerably, as many as 4,000 wagons passing through the station during the twenty-four hours. There were formerly four signal boxes; two, however, have been taken down and a larger one substituted. There are three signal men to each box, who work in eight hours shifts.

Telephone boys prove of great service, considerably reducing the labour of the signalmen. The engine sheds have been enlarged by three roads, but are now totally inadequate. I notice on Sunday mornings from twelve to fifteen engines outside the shed in consequence of the very limited accommodation. Some little changes have taken place in the position of the refreshment rooms; those on the up platform having been transferred from the north end to the centre of the platform for the benefit and convenience of passengers. Mr. Dutton stated that in the early stages of his connection the principal service was with local trains and scarcely any express trains stopped at Nuneaton. Now, there is an excellent service between London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Manchester, Crewe, Chester, Holyhead, etc. Thirty up and thirty down trains on the main line are timed to call at Nuneaton and thirty-six branch trains run daily, as many as 260 trains passing through the station in twenty-four hours. New carriage offices for the storing of lamps, footwarmers, etc., have been erected, the present brick building replacing an old wooden structure. The parcels office has also been greatly improved.

At the suggestion of Mr. Dutton an omnibus was started some ten years ago for the collection and delivery of parcels and conveyance of passengers to and from the station. This work was previously undertaken by a local agent but owing to the unsatisfactory working of the scheme Mr. Dutton's suggestion was acted upon. The bus was purchased by the Company and is now in constant use. Another interesting detail mentioned was the lighting of the railway coaches by gas, the boilers for holding the gas being taken to be filled at Monument Lane three times a week. I must not omit to mention that a staff of telegraph clerks find ample employment. The chief is Mr. Adams. These are engaged on the eight hours system.

BOOKING AND PARCELS OFFICES

Some interesting statistics were given me by the chief booking clerk, Mr. McDonald, who has been engaged here for the last seven years. In 1888, 102,479 passengers were booked, and during last year as many as 147,098 tickets were handed to travellers, an increase of 44,619. This, says Mr. McDonald is largely accounted for by the increasing popularity of week-end trips and the number of cheap excursions which are each year becoming more numerous. Last year 15,192 parcels were sent out, compared with 7,716 in 1888 and 17,495 were received, compared with 11,210 in 1888.

Messrs. W. H. Smith and Sons' bookstall is in charge of Mr. Rawlinson, who, prior to coming here was similarly engaged at the Midland Station, Kettering. I must not conclude this article without tendering my best thanks to Mr. Dutton, Mr. Bull, and Mr. McDonald without whose kindly assistance these facts would never have been laid before my readers.

Courtesy of Nuneaton Local History Group

Use the links below to access the following sections:

• External Views of Nuneaton Station
• Platform Views of Nuneaton Station
• Nuneaton's Signal Cabins, Signalmen and Signals
• Nuneaton Southern Approaches
• Aerial Views of Nuneaton Station
• Miscellaneous
• Maps, Diagrams and Drawings
• Shunting using the up yards' Humps
• Colour views of Nuneaton station and goods yard in 1980s
• Locomotives of the Pre-grouping Era (pre-1923)
• Locomotives of the LMS Era (1923 to 1947)
• Locomotives of the British Railways Era (1948 to 1968)
• Diesel & Electric Dawn
• Changing locomotives at Nuneaton station

External Views of Nuneaton Station

Ref: lnwrns1660 Nuneaton Library View of the original station's down platform showing the ornate station building and its short canopy

Ref: lnwrns1661 Nuneaton Library View of the main entrance to Nuneaton's original station building showing the ornate style of Livock's architecture

Ref: lnwrns1662 Nuneaton Library View of the entrance to Nuneaton's second station station showing on the left the canopy to Ashby Bay platform

Ref: lnwrns1662a Nuneaton Library Close up view showing the goods yard and Ashby Bay platform including a fixed manually operated crane

Ref: lnwrns1659 Lens of Sutton View of the second Nuneaton station showing the addition of a cantilevered canopy to the main entrance

Ref: lnwrns1659a Lens of Sutton Close up showing the new canopy fitted to the station and a LNWR horse drawn passenger vehicle

Ref: lnwrns1659b Lens of Sutton Close up of the refreshment and general waiting rooms with a member of staff posed by delivery entrance

Ref: lnwrns1536 C & S Gordon View of station buildings thought to be associated with the goods yard and sidings adjacent to the entrance

Ref: lnwrns1106 RS Carpenter External view of Nuneaton's 1915 station building prior to the electrification of the West Coast Main Line

Ref: lnwrns1613 Anon Front elevation of the 1915 main station building with the parcel office on the left and the booking office on the right

Ref: lnwrns1613a Anon Close up showing the external entrance to Nuneaton Station's Parcel Office and Cloak Room

Ref: lnwrns1613b Anon Close up of the external entrance to Nuneaton's Booking Office with timetables on the posterboards

Ref: lnwrns3592 CA Clayson View of the road approach from a window on the staircase to the passenger footbridge on 13th August 1964

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Platform Views of Nuneaton Station

Ref: lnwrns318 R Bull View of Nuneaton station's island platform opened circa 1868-9 to service traffic off the Leicester branch

Ref: lnwrns318a R Bull Close up of the platform with the Gentlemen's toilet block on the left and Nuneaton's station sign on the right

Ref: lnwrns318b R Bull Close up of the Rugby end of the island platform and the two buildings housing the main up passenger facilities

Ref: lnwrns318c R Bull Close up showing coaching stock standing at platform 1 as viewed from a coach in the Ashby bay platform

Ref: lnwrns1730 Anon Looking towards Rugby station with the down platform on the right having been rebuilt and extended

Ref: lnwrns1730a Anon Close up showing a rake of coaches standing in the two-road bay used for traffic from the Coventry branch

Ref: lnwrns1611 Anon Looking towards Rugby along platform two of the third station with the main station building situated on the right

Ref: lnwrns1611a Anon Close up view showing island platforms four and five formerly Nuneaton's original 1869 island platform

Ref: lnwrns1611b Anon Close up showing a push-pull train standing in platform one on the right ready to depart for Leamington

Ref: lnwrns2669a CA Clayson Close up looking towards Tamworth with the bridge carrying the MR's line to Leicester line in the distance

Ref: lnwrns2669b CA Clayson Close up showing some of the rail vans and wagons, painted in bauxite brown, stabled on Nuneaton's up sidings

Ref: lnwrns2674a CA Clayson Close up showing different types of the rail wagons stabled at the Rugby end of Nuneaton's up sidings

Ref: lnwrns3292 CA Clayson Looking south along the station's main line platforms, platform 4 on the left and platform 3 on the right

Ref: lnwrns3292a CA Clayson Close up of the station's platform 4 which served mail line traffic to Euston with platform 5 on the left

Ref: lnwrns3292b CA Clayson Close up of the station's platform 3 which served down traffic heading to the North of England and Scotland

Ref: lnwrns3302a CA Clayson Close up showing in the distance and beyond the end of platform 3, English Electric Type 4 No D304

Ref: lnwrns3584 CA Clayson Looking towards Stafford along platform 3 with the passenger footbridge just above the camera

Ref: lnwrns3584a CA Clayson Close up showing in the distance the ex-MR's bridge carrying the line to Leicester over the Trent Valley line

Ref: lnwrns3584b CA Clayson Close up of platform 4 and the Ladies Waiting Room, General Waiting Room and the Gentlemen Toilets

Ref: lnwrns3584c CA Clayson Close up of the son of Cedric Clayson the photographer, running towards the steps to the footbridge

Ref: lnwrns3591 CA Clayson Parcel traffic on platform 1 being made ready for loading on to one or more services to the north of England

Ref: lnwrns3595 CA Clayson A young passenger is engrossed in his paper as he waits on platform one for his train home on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3597 CA Clayson Two families wait patiently on platform three for their train home on Thursday 13th August 1964

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Nuneaton Southern Approaches

Ref: lnwrns3826 EHC Shorto Looking under Leicester Road bridge on the Trent Valley main line towards Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns3820 LNWR Society Soc0951 An ex-LNWR 0-8-0 'Super D' passes Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin on the Down slow with a goods special

Ref: lnwrns3820a xxx Close up showing beneath the bridge the approach to Nuneaton's up goods hump and marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns3822 Anon Looking south towards Nuneaton station with the down goods yard and LNWR Goods shed on the right

Ref: lnwrns3809 B Sadler Looking north towards Leicester Road bridge with the familiar crane of Nuneaton Timber in the distance

Ref: lnwrns3833 HB Priestley British Railways built 4MT 2-6-0 No 43023 arrives at platform 2 with a Coventry parcels single coach train

Ref: lnwrns3806 P Lee Looking south with No 1 Signal Cabin on the left, the shed in the centre and the branch to Coventry to its right

Ref: lnwrns3793 EHC Shorto Looking towards Leicester Road bridge with an ex-LNWR 2-4-2T 5ft 6in tank engine on the engine release road

Ref: lnwrns3794 EHC Shorto Looking beneath Leicester Road bridge towards Nuneaton station's Platforms One and Two in 1933

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Nuneaton's Signal Cabins, Signalmen and Signals

Ref: lnwrns1670 M Billingham View of Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin and the extensive carriage sidings used to store coaching stock

Ref: lnwrns3804 P Lee Another view of Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin which, with its 180 levers, was sited opposite the shed

Ref: lnwrns1673 M Christensen View showing Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin's Diagram of the lines to Leicester and the lines to Coventry

Ref: lnwrns1672 H Lovell View of Herbert Lovell operating the levers in Nuneaton's No 1 Signal Cabin on the last day of service

Ref: lnwrns1678 P Lee View of Nuneaton No 3 Signal Cabin located on the Stafford side of the station extensive marshalling yard sidings

Ref: lnwrns2735 D Ingham Nuneaton No 3 signal box located between the Up Fast and Up Slow lines to the north of Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns1679 P Lee View of Nuneaton No 3 Signal Cabin's diagram of the two up goods loop lines and MR's the up and down goods lines

Ref: lnwrns1674 P Lee An internal view of Nuneaton No 2 Signal Cabin located by the footbridge structure on platforms 4 and 5

Ref: lnwrns1612 Anon Nuneaton No 7 Signal Cabin equipped with a 180 lever frame and located on the Stafford side of the station

Ref: lnwrns1648 Anon An internal view of Nuneaton No 7 Signal Box showing some of the 'bobbies' in charge of the 180 lever frame

Ref: lnwrns2736 D Ingham Nuneaton Up Sidings Shunting Frame on the east side of the station between Siding 1 and the Up Goods No 2 line

Ref: lnwrns2737 D Ingham Nuneaton Down Sidings Shunting Frame located at the north end of the station adjacent to the Goods Siding

Ref: lnwrns1615 DJ Norton View of the signal gantry to the north of Nuneaton station which protected the up lines and the up sidings

Ref: lnwrns1663 EHC Shorto Looking towards the junction between the Coventry line and the Trent Valley line with the shed on the right

Ref: lnwrns1664 EHC Shorto Looking towards Nuneaton station with the shed yard on the left and in the centre Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1665 EHC Shorto Looking to Rugby from under Leicester Road bridge showing the signals that controlled access to Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3805 K Wood View looking north showing the dog legged steps used by signalmen to access Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1668 EHC Shorto Looking north with Leicester Road overbridge in the foreground and Nuneaton station in the distance

Ref: lnwrns3808 EHC Shorto A view from Nuneaton station's Platform 3 looking south towards the Leicester Road bridge in 1933

Ref: lnwrns3828 V Holloway View of the old smaphore signals just about to be replaced on the TVR with colour aspect signals

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Aerial Views of Nuneaton Station

Ref: lnwrns1671 Aerofilms Aerial view of the Trent Valley junctions with the MR's Birmingham to Leicester line and the LNWR's Ashby branch

Ref: lnwrns1671a Aerofilms Close up of the MR's facilities at Abbey Street station seen to the left of the A47 Nuneaton to Birmingham road

Ref: lnwrns1671b Aerofilms Close up view showing the MR's line to Leicester and its connections with the Trent Valley and Ashby branch

Ref: lnwrns1671c Aerofilms Close up of the MR's Leicester line crossing the Trent Valley Railway and its line joining with the Ashby branch

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Miscellaneous

Ref: lnwrns1680 Mrs Grey/P Lee An Edwardian view of the construction of the southern section of Nuneaton's up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1680a Mrs Grey/P Lee Close up of a portable engine used to provide onsite power together with its crew and other facilities

Ref: lnwrns1680b Mrs Grey/P Lee Close up of the equipment powered by the portable engine with the Trent Valley line in the distance

Ref: lnwrns1681 Mrs Grey/P Lee Another view of the portable engine with the MR's Birmingham to Leicester line in the background

Ref: lnwrns2733 G Edmands Railway workers and firemen deal with the aftermath of a derailment of petrol tank wagon south of Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns1666 LNWR Society View of a local passenger train to Ashby standing on the left in the bay platform whilst milk churns are being loaded

Ref: lnwrns3817 P Lee View of one of the LNWR horse buses which travelled down to the Bull Hotel from Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3810 P Lee A gang of men starting the process of installing overhead electrification at the south end of Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3795 National Railway Museum Diners pose for the camera at a dinner in the new refreshment room at Nuneaton station in 1915

Ref: lnwrns3827 Anon Nuneaton's marshalling yard providing an example of the volume of traffic, mainly coal, being handled each day

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Maps, Diagrams and Drawings

Ref: lnwrns1694 P Lee Layout of the original Nuneaton station showing just two platform faces, the goods yard and goods shed

Ref: lnwrns1682 P Lee Plan of Nuneaton station after extensive remodelling to accommodate the Ashby and Coventry bays

Ref: lnwrns1683 P Lee Plan of Nuneaton & Chilvers Coton Council's Sewage Work's siding and the MR bridge over the TVR

Ref: lnwrns1684 P Lee Plan of showing Jee's Quarry sidings and the designated limits for LNWR locomotives when working the two sidings

Ref: lnwr_track3378 B Hickman LNWR trackplan of Nuneaton Colliery & Brickworks Sidings at Griff Branch on the Nuneaton to Leamington line

Ref: lnwrns3339 National Library of Scotland OS Map of Nuneaton Station and approach roads first surveyed in 1886 and published in 1889

Ref: lnwrns3340 National Library of Scotland Ordnance Survey Map of Nuneaton Station and goods shed updated in 1913 and published in 1914

Ref: lnwrns3341 National Library of Scotland OS Map of Nuneaton Station of both the up and down marshalling yards dated 1913 and published in 1914

Ref: lnwrns3342 National Library of Scotland OS Map of Nuneaton Station of both the up and down marshalling yards dated 1923 and published in 1924

Ref: lnwrns2693 Ordnance Survey A 1914 map showing the station and the extensive up and down sidings located to the north of the station

Ref: lnwrns3801 L Randle The floor plan of Nuneaton Station in 1875 showing the first and second class ladies waiting rooms

Ref: lnwrns3802 L Randle The front elevation of the imposing facade of the 1875 Nuneaton station as seen from the vehicle approach

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Shunting using the up yards' Humps

This is a method of shunting wagons which does not require the use of a locomotive to place each and every wagon from a train into a siding. At Nuneaton, wagons were taken to an inclined section of track by a locomotive and then briefly held there, by either holding the wagon on the incline short of the crown of the hump, or by using the wagon's own brakes when at the top of the crown, before the wagon was allowed to roll forward under its own weight. At the lower end of the hump there were be a series of sorting sidings into which the wagon would roll under the guidance and supervision of one or more shunters.

Ref: lnwrns3800 P Lee An unidentified ex-LNWR 0-8-2T locomotive standing on one of the two Nuneaton humps used on the up sidings

Ref: lnwrns2685 HN James Ex-LNWR 7F G2a 0-8-0 No 9351 is seen shunting wagons over Nuneaton's up hump into the sidings in 1931

Ref: lnwrns3797 xxx BR 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter D2912 is seen standing on the up goods hump at Nuneaton in February 1960

Ref: lnwrns2686 JF Clay Ex-MR 2F 0-6-0 No 58272 is seen paused between jobs on Nuneaton's up hump siding circa 1951

Ref: lnwrns3799 xxx British Railways Class 08 D3055 is seen shunting on Nuneaton up goods hump in the 1960s

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Colour views of Nuneaton station and goods yard in 1980s

Ref: lnwrns3807 P Lee The south end of the station from Leicester Road bridge looking south with the Trent Valley line ahead

Ref: lnwrns3830 P Lee Looking towards Nuneaton station on the left whilst on the right is the goods yard with a mixture of wagons

Ref: lnwrns3831 P Lee A view of Nuneaton down sidings goods yard with the Trent Valley line on the right circa 1980

Ref: lnwrns3832 P Lee Looking between the rows of various types of British Railway's ballast wagons in Nuneaton goods yard

Ref: lnwrns3829 P Lee Alongside the Trent Valley line at the north end of the down goods yard just prior to closure in the 1980s

Ref: lnwrns3818 P Lee A distant view of the LNWR goods shed located in the down yard at Nuneaton Trent Valley station in the 1980s

Ref: lnwrns3819 P Lee Another view of the LNWR goods shed located in the down yard at Nuneaton Trent Valley station in the 1980s

Ref: lnwrns3816 P Lee View of the LNWR warehouse located in the down yard at Nuneaton Trent Valley station in the 1980s

Ref: lnwrns3824 P Lee A close up view of the left hand door viewed from the goods yard side of Nuneaton goods shed

Ref: lnwrns3825 P Lee An interior view of the Nuneaton LNWR goods warehouse with the clerks small office on the right

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Locomotives of the Pre-grouping Era (pre-1923)

Ref: lnwrns3261 C Verrall LNWR 2-2-2 Problem Class No 1428 Eleanor is one of two locomotives standing at the north end of Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3262 C Verrall LNWR 2-4-0 Improved Precedent class 864 'Pilot' at Nuneaton station with a down local stopping service

Ref: lnwrns3263 C Verrall LNWR 2-4-0 Improved Precedent class No 1105 'Hercules' stands at the north end of Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3264 C Verrall LNWR 2-2-2-2 Greater Britain Class No 525 'Princess May' stands with a down express service at Nuneaton circa 1900

Ref: lnwrns1634 RS Carpenter LNWR 2-2-2 Problem class No 1 'Saracen' stands at Nuneaton's original platform 3 on a North bound service

Ref: lnwrns1644 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 2-8-0 Class E No 1042 is seen at the head of an up freight as it leaves Nuneaton's marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns3767 LNWR Society Teutonic 2-2-2-0 No 1306 'IONIC' with extended front frames stands at Nuneaton's second station, built circa 1875

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Locomotives of the LMS Era (1923 to 1947)

Ref: lnwrns1642 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 No 5635 'Charles Lamb' in red livery at the head of a down express approaching Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns1616 AW Flowers Unidentified ex-LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class locomotive heads a four-coach local stopping service

Ref: lnwrns1667 SV Blencowe An unidentified ex-LNWR 'Super D' 0-8-0 starts away with a freight working from Nuneaton's up goods yard

Ref: lnwrns300 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 0-8-2T 6F No 7878 pauses between shunting in the up marshalling yard opposite platform seven

Ref: lnwrns1621 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 Class G2a No 9082 is seen at the head of an up goods train in front of Nuneaton's hump siding

Ref: lnwrns1641 AW Flowers LMS 0-6-0 No 4389 pilots an unidentified ex-LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class locomotive on a down express

Ref: lnwrns1657 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 No 5999 'Vindictive' is approaching Nuneaton at speed at the head of a down express

Ref: lnwrns1643 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 7F No 2526 is seen light engine alongside the hump at Nuneaton's up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1622 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 class G2a No 9070 is seen standing alongside the up Ashby bay coupled to a full brake

Ref: lnwrns1636 AW Flowers An unidentified 4-6-0 ex-LNWR Prince of Wales class locomotive is seen piloting an unidentified 4-6-0 Royal Scot

Ref: lnwrns1640 AW Flowers Ex-MR 1P No 1369 is seen at the head of a branch line train to Ashby as it is about to cross over to join the branch

Ref: lnwrns1645 AW Flowers LMS 0-6-0 3F No 7587 is seen standing during shunting duties in Nuneaton's up marshalling yard circa 1938

Ref: lnwrns1638 AW Flowers Ex-MR 4-4-0 2P No 433 is seen resting at platform two at the head of a four-coach stopping train from Coventry

Ref: lnwrns1656 AW Flowers LMS 4-4-0 4P Compound No 1081 stands at platform one with a local stopping train to Coventry and Leamington

Ref: lnwrnsh356 AW Flowers LMS 0-6-0 4F No 4087's crew break up coal in the tender whilst being piloted on a stopping passenger train

Ref: lnwrns2672 WL Good Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 No 5946 'Duke of Connaught' passes Ashby junction at the head of the up Sunny South Express

Ref: lnwrns2732 AW Flowers Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 Class G2a No 9070 is seen coupled with another class member in the up sidings

Ref: lnwrns1632 L Merriott LMS No 6220 'Coronation' passes through at the head of the inaugral down 'Coronation Scot' express

Ref: lnwrns2688 JF Clay LMS Princess Coronation Class 4-6-2 No 6226 'Duchess of Norfolk' on the up Royal Scot express in August 1938

Ref: lnwrns315 WL Good LMS Coronation class No 6232 'Duchess of Montrose' is seen near Nuneaton station on the down Royal Scot

Ref: lnwrns316 AW Flowers LMS 4-6-0 No 6202 is seen at the head of an up express passing Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1617 AW Flowers LMS 4-6-2 No 6202 passing through Nuneaton station's platform three on a down express service

Ref: lnwrns1630 AW Flowers LMS 4-6-0 No 6149 'The Middlesex Regiment' on a down express prior to it receiving smokebox deflectors

Ref: lnwrns1624 AW Flowers LMS 2-6-2T 3MT No 203 with large boiler is seen standing light engine adjacent to the up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1628 WL Good LMS 4-6-0 No 6105 'Cameron Highlander' approaches Nuneaton station at the head of an up express service

Ref: lnwrns1631 AW Flowers LMS 4-6-0 Rebuilt Royal Scot No 6132 'The Kings Regiment' with Gill Sans lining on the up Merseyside Express

Ref: lnwrns1721 DJ Montgomery LMS 5MT 2-6-0 No 2977 is held by signals opposite Nuneaton station's platform 5 during shunting of the yard

Ref: lnwrns3845 WA Camwell An ex-LNWR 5ft 6in tank locomotive crosses the tracks at Ashby Junction with a Ordinary Passenger train

Ref: lnwrns2677 Anon LMS 5XP Patriot Class 4-6-0 No 5542 passes through Nuneaton station on 22nd January 1939

Ref: lnwrns3815 LNWR Society JMBCP 57 Ex-LNWR 4-4-0 No 5281 'Erebus' waits at Nuneaton station at the head of a Class 2 Ordinary passenger train

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Locomotives of the British Railways Era (1948 to 1968)

Ref: lnwrns547 AW Flowers Rebuilt ex-LMS Patriot class No 45545 'Planet' is seen passing under the MR's Birmingham to Leicester line

Ref: lnwrns303 AW Flowers British Railways Standard class 9F No 92030 is seen at the head of a goods train leaving the up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns304 AW Flowers BR 4-6-0 Standard class 5MT No 73033 passes under the Midland line to Leicester on a down Class C goods service

Ref: lnwrns306 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48723 is seen entering the throat to the up marshalling yards with a down Class K working

Ref: lnwrns308 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 class No 46205 'Princess Victoria' is seen heading a down express approaching platform three

Ref: lnwrns308a AW Flowers Close up of ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 43024 standing on the pilot road immediately to the front of the bridge abutment

Ref: lnwrns301 Anon View of the lines to the 'East' goods yard as an unidentified ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F and 2-6-0 6F5P 'Crab' work the yard

Ref: lnwrns1649 R East Ex-LMS 6XP 4-6-0 No 45735 'Comet' at the head of an up express as it passes Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns302 AW Flowers BR Standard Class 9F No 92156 is seen at the head of a mineral train leaving the up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns312 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4MT 2-6-0 No 43034 is seen leaving platform two on a three-coach local stopping train to Leicester

Ref: lnwrns320 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-0 No 46146 'The Rifle Brigade' is seen at the head of an up express service to Euston

Ref: lnwrns307 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48258 departs the up marshalling yard at the head of a Class J empty mineral train

Ref: lnwrns309 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 7P No 46124 'London Scottish Regiment' is seen passing Ashby Junction with an up express service

Ref: lnwrns310 G Coltas Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45529 'Stephenson' is seen standing under the wires on a down express freight

Ref: lnwrns313 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-6-0 4MT No 43024, is seen standing between duties in the up marshalling yard at Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns314 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 3MT 2-6-2T No 40207 arriving at platform two on a three-coach local stopping train from Coventry

Ref: lnwrns321 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45537 'Private E Sykes VC' passes Nuneaton's marshalling yard at the head of a down freight

Ref: lnwrns1729 R Reed Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5XP No 45584 'North West Frontier' passes Ashby junction at the head of an express to Manchester

Ref: lnwrns1625 AW Flowers BR Standard class 5MT No 73004 passes through platform four on a Class C up express goods service

Ref: lnwrns1619 Anon Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 class G2a No 49117 on a goods train on the slow up line passing Ashby Junction Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1620 Anon Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 class G2a No 49115 on a class K trip pick up working as it passing Ashby Junction Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1623 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 42951 heads a class F express unfitted stock freight into the up yard;s sidings from the south

Ref: lnwrns1626 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 46151 'The Royal Horse Guardsman' is at the head of a down express approaching platform two

Ref: lnwrns1627 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 Rebuilt Royal Scot class No 46127 'Old Contemptibles' is seen at the head of a down express

Ref: lnwrns1629 Anon Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46242 'City of Glasgow' is at the head of the Royal Train passing through Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns1633 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45525 'Colwyn Bay' enters Nuneaton station's platform four at the head of an up express service

Ref: lnwrns1635 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45548 'Lytham St Annes' is seen at the head of a class K working as it passes platform five

Ref: lnwrns1637 NE Stead Ex-MR 2P No 40447, a 483 class locomotive, is seen standing at platform two with a local stopping train

Ref: lnwrns2695 HA Gamble Ex-LMS 2MT 2-6-2T No 41204 pauses between trips opposite Nuneaton Power Signal Box on 21st May 1964

Ref: lnwrns1658 AW Flowers BR Britannia class 4-6-2 No 70044 'Earl Haig' is seen on an up express service as it approaches platform four

Ref: lnwrns1650 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46246 'City of Manchester' is seen entering Nuneaton station at the head of the up Royal Scot

Ref: lnwrns1651 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46244 'King George VI' is seen at the head of a long express train passing Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns299 AW Flowers BR Standard class 4MT No 76033 is seen in the carriage sidings ready to move to Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns1653 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 42941 is in BR full mixed traffic lined out livery as it shunts in the up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1654 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 42941 in another view shunting wagons at the throat of Nuneaton's up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1655 AW Flowers Ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 42853 at the head of a ballast train waits for a signal to give it the road from the up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns350 AW Flowers BR built 2-6-2T No 41236 stands in the short siding situated between the down fast and down slow lines

Ref: lnwrns1614 AW Flowers An unidentified ex-LMS 4-6-0 Rebuilt Royal Scot stands at platform 4 ready to depart for Euston with an up express

Ref: lnwrns1687 HC Casserley Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 class G2a No 49318 is seen shunting stock over the hump in Nuneaton's up marshalling yard

Ref: lnwrns1688 DJ Montgomery BR Standard class 9F No 92009 heads a mineral train out of the marshalling yard past an oil train

Ref: lnwrns1675 DJ Montgomery Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45311 heads a fast fitted freight service as it passes in front of Nuneaton's shunting hump

Ref: lnwrns1676 DJ Montgomery Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45522 'Prestatyn' heads an up express service as it passes through Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns1677 DJ Montgomery Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45540 'Sir Robert Turnball' is seen at the head an up express service exiting platform 5

Ref: lnwrns1686 DJ Montgomery Ex-LMS 2-6-4T 4MT No 42331 is seen standing at Nuneaton whilst at the head of a passenger service

Ref: lnwrns1689 H W Robinson ©Steam Archive LMS 4-6-0 Patriot class No 5517 is seen at the head of a down express to Southport

Ref: lnwrns1690 HC Casserley Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 46151 'The Royal Horse Guardsman' stands at platform 3 next to Nuneaton No 2 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns1691 DJ Montgomery Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45539 'EC Trench' is seen at the head of a down class C freight made up of XP rolling stock

Ref: lnwrns1692 RW Beaton Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 45735 'Comet' is seen on an up express passing through Nuneaton's No 4 platform

Ref: lnwrnsh353 AW Flowers BR built 3MT 2-6-2T No 41285 is seen running bunker first at the head of a goods train near Ashby junction

Ref: lnwrns1711 R Green Ex-LMS 0-6-0 4F No 44488 is at the head of a mineral train crossing the Trent Valley line on to the Coventry branch

Ref: lnwrns2105 CA Clayson BR 4-6-2 Class 7MT No 70048 'The Territorial Army' is seen passing through the station on an up express service

Ref: lnwrns1699 R Geen Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46227 'Duchess of Devenshire' heads the up Royal Scot express past Nuneaton shed

Ref: lnwrns1700 R Green BR 4-6-2 No 70032 'Tennyson' heads an up express to Euston past Nuneaton's carriage sidings

Ref: lnwrns1701 R Reed Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46245 passing through platform 5 at the head of an up express parcels and milk train

Ref: lnwrns1702 R Reed Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48416 is seen coming off the Ashby branch with a heavy coal train bound for Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns1703 R Green Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5MT No 45089 running at speed on a down fitted freight as it approaches Leicester Road bridge

Ref: lnwrns1731 R Reed Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 G2a class No 49068 works a down train of empty mineral wagons back to the local collieries

Ref: lnwrns1697 R Reed Ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 42931 seen heading a rake of covered wagons as it passes Ashby Junction during May 1956

Ref: lnwrns1698 R Reed Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5XP No 45552 'Silver Jubilee' is seen on an up Liverpool to Rugby express passing Ashby Junction

Ref: lnwrns2703 GD King Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45546 'Fleetwood' heads an express to Euston past Ashby Junction on 18th April 1960

Ref: lnwrns2674 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 No 46250 'City of Lichfield' passes through Nuneaton station on a down express

Ref: lnwrns2676 JF Clay Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48474 trundles through Nuneaton station at the head of a down train of empty coal wagons

Ref: lnwrns2704 B Brooksbank Ex-LMS 4-6-0 Rebuilt Royal Scot No 46152 'The King's Regiment Liverpool' speeds through Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns2678 GW Sharpe BR built 2MT No 46519 runs into platform 2 on 23rd April 1966 to pick up passengers for the RCTS Railtour

Ref: lnwrns2679 JF Clay British Railways built 4-6-0 No 61353 pilots ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46236 'City of Bradford' on 10:40 am Euston to Carlisle

Ref: lnwrns2680 JF Clay BR Standard Class 7MT 4-6-2 No 70016 'Ariel' passes through the station at the head of a special to Crewe

Ref: lnwrns2681 GW Sharpe Ex-LMS 4MT 2-6-0 No 43002 pauses by the bridge carrying the Leicester Road over the railway in June 1957

Ref: lnwrns2682 HA Gamble Ex-LMS 2-6-0 'Stanier Crab' No 42967 waits by Nuneaton Up Siding Signal Cabin on a southbound freight

Ref: lnwrns2684 GW Sharpe Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a No 49181 is seen with an ex-MR 6-wheeled Passenger Brake Van behind its tender

Ref: lnwrns2684 JF Clay Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45652 'Hawke' stands in the up sidings being coupled up to a southbound freight train

Ref: lnwrns2691 JF Clay Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-2 Princess Royal Class No 46205 'Princess Victoria' heads a Liverpool to Euston express

Ref: lnwrns2692 JF Clay Ex-LMS 2P 0-4-4T No 41909 with a two-coach local passenger service at Platform One in 1957

Ref: lnwrns2687 JF Clay Ex-LMS 2-6-0 'Horwich Crab' No 42813 triple heads an up freight train past Nuneaton Up Sidings Signal Cabin in 1951

Ref: lnwrns2697 B Brooksbank British Railways built 2-6-2T No 41236 enters Nuneaton station on a southbound Type 2 local passenger working

Ref: lnwrns3284 CA Clayson BR 7MT 4-6-2 No 70054 'Dornoch Firth' heads a down express through Nuneaton station on 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns3288 CA Clayson British Railways Britannia Class 4-6-2 No 70050 Firth of Clyde of Crewe North shed dashes through platform 3

Ref: lnwrns3289 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5MT No 45134 enters the station at the head of a fully fitted down express freight train

Ref: lnwrns3290 CA Clayson BR Class 4MT 2-6-0 No 76052 of Saltley shed in Birmingham is travelling through Nuneaton station 'wrong line'

Ref: lnwrns3291 CA Clayson Close up of BR Class 4MT 2-6-0 No 76052 as it passes northwards 'wrong line' along the station's Up Main line

Ref: lnwrns3293 CA Clayson BR built 4-6-0 'Black 5' No 44680 of Crewe North (5A) shed rattles northbound through Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns3294 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0 No 45393 of Willesden (1A) shed passes through Nuneaton stationon 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns3296 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0 No 45324 speeds into the station from the north, laying a smokescreen over the tracks

Ref: lnwrns3297 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0 No 45096 speeds towards the south and lays a smokescreen over the tracks

Ref: lnwrns3298 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5XP No 45672 'Anson' approaches Nuneaton (Trent Valley) station from the south on the Main line

Ref: lnwrns3285 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45676 'Codrington' is seen on a freight service at Nuneaton on 6th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3582 CA Clayson BR Standard Class 7MT 4-6-0 No 70050 'Firth of Clyde' passes through Nuneaton on a Type 3 Freight service

Ref: lnwrns3577 CA Clayson A rear view of BR 7MT 4-6-0 No 70050 'Firth of Clyde' passing through Nuneaton on a Type 3 Freight service

Ref: lnwrns3579 CA Clayson BR built 4-6-0 No 44680 passes beneath Leicester Road with a down Type 3 express freight working

Ref: lnwrns3580 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 8P Coronation Class 4-6-2 No 46240 'City of Coventry' passes by platform 3 on a down Type 3 working

Ref: lnwrns3581 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 8P Coronation Class 4-6-2 No 46248 'City of Leeds' passes by platform 4 on an up Type 3 working

Ref: lnwrns3578 CA Clayson Ex-LMS Coronation Class 8P 4-6-2 No 46256 'Sir William A Stanier' pilots ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45434

Ref: lnwrns3589 CA Clayson BR 7MT 4-6-2 No 70018 'Flying Dutchman' heads through Nuneaton on an up express on 20th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3585 CA Clayson BR 7MT 4-6-2 No 70010 'Owen Glendower' heads a down Type 3 Freight service on 20th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3586 CA Clayson BR 7MT 4-6-2 No 70044 'Earl Haig' heads a down Type 3 Freight service through the station on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3587 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 4F 0-6-0 No 44588 passes under the Leicester Road with a down Type 3 Freight working

Ref: lnwrns3790 T Tomalin Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45058 pilots ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45592 'Indore' on the up 'Ulster Express'

Ref: lnwrns3791 DA Anderson Ex-LNWR G2A 0-8-0 No 49314, the last of its class allocated to Nuneaton shed, is seen working nearby

Ref: lnwrns3792 M Mensing BR Standard Class 7MT 4-6-2 No 70012 'John of Gaunt' passes Nuneaton station's No 2 Signal Cabin in 1958

Ref: lnwrns3798 K Lane Ex-LMS 4-6-2 No 46232 'Duchess of Montrose' with the down Royal Scot service on 21st September 1951

Ref: lnwrns3596 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 No 46240 'City of Coventry' passes through Nuneaton station on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3593 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 44963 heads a Type 3 Freight service through Nuneaton on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3594 CA Clayson Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45403 heads a down Type 3 Freight service through Nuneaton station on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3849 P Lee Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45238 heads a Class H through freight past Jees Quarry sidings on the Trent Valley

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Diesel & Electric Dawn

Ref: lnwrns2104 CA Clayson British Railways Class 40 D226 is seen at the head of the up ‘Royal Scot’ as it passes through Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns1652 Anon English Electric Company's experimental Co-Co diesel prototype is seen at the head of an up express

Ref: lnwrns1685 P Lee Ex-Southern Region Diesel No 10203 is seen at the head of an up express service passing through Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns2669 CA Clayson English Electric Type 4 D314 passes through the station on an up express during the summer of 1961

Ref: lnwrns2670 CA Clayson English Electric Type 4 Diesel locomotive D308 heads the up 'Royal Scot' express through Nuneaton station

Ref: lnwrns2671 CA Clayson English Electric 1Co-Co1 Type 4 Diesel locomotive D225 passes through Nuneaton station on a down express

Ref: lnwrns2675 CA Clayson An unidentified English Electric Type 4 Diesel locomotive passes through with the up 'Emerald Isle Express'

Ref: lnwrns3588 CA Clayson English Electric Type 4 D303 heads a Type 3 Freight working transporting Ford parts through Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns361 M Mensing A two-car Metro-Cammell Diesel Multiple Unit forms the 4:40pm Tamworth to Rugby service on 11th March 1961

Ref: lnwrns2689 JF Clay LMS Diesel locomotive 10001 and classmate 10000 power through Nuneaton on the up 'Royal Scot' express

Ref: lnwrns2690 M Mensing English Electric Type 4 D330 heads the 12:50 Bangor to Euston express through Nuneaton on 11th March 1961

Ref: lnwrns3295 CA Clayson English Electric Class AL1 E3022 approaches Nuneaton station from the north with a train for Euston

Ref: lnwrns3301 CA Clayson English Electric D213 'Andania' with a southbound passenger train at Nuneaton on Thursday 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns2694 P Lee British Railways 0-4-0 Class D3/1 D2912 stands alongside Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin in January 1960

Ref: lnwrns2701 V Holloway An unidentified 0-4-0 Diesel locomotive shunts in the sidings adjacent to Nuneaton No 1 Signal Cabin

Ref: lnwrns3838 Anon Bullied designed 1Co-Co1 Diesel locomotive No 10202 passes through Nuneaton station on a down express

Ref: lnwrns3848 DJ Montgomery A pair of English Electric Type 1 'Bo-Bo' locomotives run through Nuneaton station on a Class C working circa 1960

Ref: lnwrns1732 HW Robinson View of a fairly full Coventry Pneumatic Rail-car leaving Nuneaton station on a north bound service on a wet day

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Changing locomotives at Nuneaton station

As stated in the extract from 'Modern Railways' seen below, for a few months during the West Coast Main Line electrification programme, from March to November 1964, Nuneaton (Trent Valley) station became the changeover point for electric traction as the wires were extended towards Euston. We have several photographs showing the changeover: the first three show English Electric Type 4 Diesel D219 'Caronia' on Thursday 26th March 1964, having brought in a down express from Euston station, being replaced by British Railways Class AL5 E3068; then, from earlier the same afternoon, two pictures of English Electric Class AL3 E3030, having replaced D304, preparing to take a train forward, probably to Liverpool; then a solitary colour photo of AL5 E3088 on 20th August 1964, probably being coupled to a northbound express; and, finally, a set of three photos showing D319 being reversed and then coupled up to take forward a service to Euston on 13th August 1964.

John Clayson

Ref: lnwrns3287 CA Clayson English Electric Type 4 Diesel D219 'Caronia' is proving difficult to uncouple from its train at Nuneaton

Ref: lnwrns3300 CA Clayson British Railways English Electric Class AL5 E3068 is coupled to the down express on Thursday 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns3299 CA Clayson E3068 makes ready to depart for the north at Nuneaton (Trent Valley) station on Thursday 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns3302 CA Clayson English Electric E3030 is seen reversing towards its train, in the distance is English Electric Type 4 Diesel D304

Ref: lnwrns3286 CA Clayson English Electric E3030 is at the head of the four coach down express train at Nuneaton station on 26th March 1964

Ref: lnwrns3590 CA Clayson BR Electric locomotive E 3088 is seen being uncoupled from an southbound express on 20th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3583 CA Clayson The guard and porter wait for D319 to reverse back in order to couple up to take the train forward on 13th August 1964

Ref: lnwrns3598 CA Clayson The train guard writes down the time that D319 is officially coupled up and ready to depart for Euston

Ref: lnwrns3599 CA Clayson Driver Frankie Gayle of Euston walks past D319 to assist in the coupling up of the locomotive to the train

Extract from Modern Railways April 1964 Edition

Electric traction to Nuneaton

From 2nd March 1964, Nuneaton became a locomotive changing point for about half the London Midland Region Western Lines passenger trains between Euston, Crewe and the north when electric working on commercial services was extended southwards from Crewe to that point. About 18 passenger trains each way are booked for electric haulage on weekdays, together with some parcels and freight trains and certain Sunday services. This stage marks a major extension of electrification towards Euston, since until now only a few Birmingham-line passenger trains have been electrically-hauled between Crewe and Stafford and all Liverpool or Manchester to London trains have changed locomotives at Crewe. The extension effectively adds about 61 route miles of electric operation to the London services and Nuneaton now marks the halfway point of electrification between Liverpool and and London. Nearly all London to Liverpool or Manchester services are now electrically hauled north of Nuneaton, but many other trains to or from the non-electrified lines north or west of Crewe are also electrically-worked between Nuneaton and Crewe and, in consequence, incur a double locomotive change. Particular exceptions are the three day Euston to Glasgow trains each way, which remain diesel-hauled throughout, but a number of Anglo-Scottish trains are electrically worked as, for example, the down Inverness sleeper and the 19:00 Glasgow- to Marylebone. Many trains rostered for electric haulage have no public stop at Nuneaton but are allowed about 7 to 8 minutes to change locomotives. The electric locomotives can easily make up this allowance in running. Nevertheless, the 10 minutes additions in running time south of Rugby for engineering works, inserted into the public timetable last November (1963), remain in force, despite the greater potential of the electric locomotives in regaining this time than was possible with the Type 4 diesels. The introduction of electric working on this scale will clearly release the surviving Stanier Pacifies from any workings as diesel substitutes, for the EE Type 4 diesels will obviously be redeployed in greater numbers south of Nuneaton and north of Crewe. This strengthens the suggestion that the London Midland "Coronation" and possibly "Britannia" Pacifies, may be transferred to the Southern Region. (N.B. Regretfully this migration of Stanier Pacifics never happened. Perhaps if it did we might have seen London Midland Region Stanier Pacifics and Britannia Pacifics being sent to Barry instead of the SR Pacifics and therefore saved for prosperity.)