Northampton
The Midland Main line
The Midland Main Line - Enters the county at Irchester and passes through Wellingborough and Kettering and into Leicestershire to Market Harborough. A freight only line diverges at Glendon Junction, north of Kettering, and passes through Corby then out of the county to join the Leicester to Peterborough route at Manton Junction. This line does see some passenger diversions and occasional steam specials.
A Midland Mainline Meridian passes through Wellingborough Station at speed. |
Sharnbrook - Just before entering the county northbound the line climbs Sharnbrook summit. Here the fast lines and the bi-directional relief line (originally slow lines) diverge for a couple of miles with the latter following a different elevation. The Midland Railway Co. built it to provide an easier gradient for the freight traffic to the summit and then rejoins at the site of the former Irchester South Signal Box, two miles south of Wellingborough. These lines are carried over the River Nene on two separate viaducts near to Irchester (SP912673).
Wellingborough Station |
A M M Meridien at Wellingborough |
Wellingborough Station (SP904681) - This gem from 1857 together with the Kettering Station are wonderful examples of Midland Railway Co. architecture. Recent sympathetic renovation of both has helped to retain much of their original atmosphere, they are well worth a visit. A bonus is that the original goods shed still adjoins the south end of the station. Its cranes are still in place but the track has long since gone
Wellingborough Roundhouse (SP904681) - To the north of the station on the east side of the line, now in private ownership, remains one of the two roundhouses that formed the main part of the Wellingborough Depot. (15A)
Kettering Station |
Kettering Station (SP864780) - How lucky we are in Northamptonshire that two of our five stations are such delights. Even the modern footbridge with its passenger lifts and disabled facilities does not detract from the overall effect.
Harringworth Viaduct viewed from the NW corner, with the village of that name beyond this lengthy pile. |
Harringworth Viaduct (SP913969 - SP914981) - Carries the Midlands once main direct line to Nottingham over the river Welland valley. The now closed lines from Market Harborough to Stamford and Peterborough diverged at Seaton Junction Station to pass under the north end of the viaduct and into Rutland. At 1275 yards long it is the longest masonry viaduct over a river in Britain. There are 82 arches and its maximum height is 60 feet.
Market Harborough, in Leicestershire, is the next station north of Kettering. |
Rushden Station |
Rushden Station (SP958672) - Was the intermediate station on the former 3 miles and 40 chains long branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers. It opened in 1893 and closed to passengers in 1959 and for freight 1971. The station building is now a museum and real ale bar operated by the Rushden Historic Transport Society. Exhibits include buses, a fire engine, locomotives and rolling stock. Further details from their excellent web site www.info@rhts.co.uk