Loughborough Central railway station

Loughborough Central Station is a railway station on the Great Central Railway and the Great Central Railway (preserved) serving Loughborough.gbmapping|SK543193

The station is built to the standard GCR arrangement of having an island platform set between the two main running lines, however the station buildings themselves are unique on the preserved Great Central Railway. The station canopy itself is the longest station canopy in preservation, and is currently under restoration to its original condition.

The platforms at Loughborough are 400ft long, and are capable of accommodating approximately 7 coaches, train services currently run south from the station to Leicester North, but in the future are expected to run north from the station to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre at Ruddington.

Station facilities

The station boasts impressive facilities in some fairly cramped conditions, this includes a Book and Gift Shop, a Museum, a Refreshment Room, Ladies Waiting Room & Power Room, General Waiting Room, Gentlemen's Toilets and an Emporium. On top of this, the station also plays host to the command centre of the railway from which the Duty Traffic Manager organises all movements which take place on the railway from the Station Masters Office.

Station era

The station at Loughborough, like all stations upon the preserved Great Central Railway, is set in a specific era, at Loughborough this era is the 1950s. Many artifacts around the station aid in this atmosphere, this includes original and recreated British Railways posters, British Railways totem poles, a 1950s TV showing 1950s transportation films in the General Waiting room, and a display of 1950s platform trolleys and bicycles.

The station buildings, original GCR signal box sited to the north, and the three original water tanks are all grade II listed. [http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/environment/loughborough-statutorylist.html#loughborough25a]

Stationmaster

The current Station Master of Loughborough Central is Mr Alan Whiteland, who was took over on 1 July 2007 after the previous Station Master, Mr Bruce Pollard decided to concentrate on his other interests at the railway. Bruce took over the position in 2005 after the previous holder of the title, Mr Brian Axon, retired due to wishing to spend more time with his family. Mr Pollard is ably assisted by Mr Alan Whiteland and Mr Mark Hill who assist with station maintenance and rostering duties.

On a normal weekend at Loughborough Central, a Station Master, Platform Inspector and a number of Porters will be rostered where possible, because the Booking Office is treated as a separate entity the rostering does not include the booking clerks, who are rostered separately.

2003 - 2005 - Mr Brian Axon

2005 - 2007 - Mr Bruce Pollard

2007 - Incumbent - Mr Alan Whiteland

See also

*Loughborough railway station - formerly Loughborough Midland.

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