Bridging the Gap - Video

The GCR(Link) team have commissioned a video promoting the plans to bridge the Gap. The Main Line Steam Trust (MLST) have provided funding for this film and, thanks to generous donations of time and efforts, it has been produced to full professional standards for very little cost. Below are some stills from the stylised computer graphics sequence that explains the various contracts that we have planned, as well as two versions that you can download to your PC. The latter have been optimised for download speeds rather than quality, so aren't as good as the DVD version we've been showing at various meetings and exhibitions. However they will give you a taste of the video if you've not seen it yet.

Video suitable for 56K dialup connections (160x120 Windows Media format 2.2MB)

Video suitable for 512K or higher broadband connections (320x240 Windows Media format 16.3MB)

Contract 1 - the canal bridge Contract 1 - the bridge over the Grand Union canal. This bridge still exists but requires removal, overhaul and reinstatement. This is one of the first concrete tasks that observers will see as a result of the GCR(Link)'s work.

A junction to the new shed site Contract 2 - Embankment. The Loughborough Loco Works Project hope to rebuild Workington Shed on the old tip site. This will need a junction to be constructed to our new embankment just north of the canal. Here we see the spur to the shed veering off to the right with a stub of embankment pushing north towards the rest of the Gap.

Contract 3 - bridge over Railway Terrace Contract 3 - a bridge over Railway Terrace. This is intended to be a GCR style brick and girder construction, which will allow access to the domestic refuse disposal point (and maybe our new shed).

Contract 4 -
the viaduct Contract 4 - viaduct. To get past the side of the factory we need to replace the original embankment with a GCR style urban viaduct. This also has to give enough room for access to the watercourse next to it.

Contract 5
- bridge over MML Contract 5 - bridge over MML. This is the "big one", the bridge over the MML that has to cover over 30m in one single span. It is likely to use modern thin-deck construction techniques.

Contract
6 - the GCR(N) side of the Gap Contract 6 - Embankment and interchange station. The GCR(N) plan to build an interchange station on the embankment north of the Gap. This not only provides them with a southern terminus whilst the Gap is bridged but also forms a useful interchange with the neighbouring Loughborough Midland station. The GCR(N) also have a mainline connection to Network Rail's Midland Mainline at Loughborough South Junction.

Train passes
interchange station A train passes the GCR(N) interchange station heading south. This train will have left the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre at Ruddington about 30 minutes ago and, after pausing at Rushcliffe Halt, has steamed down the slight gradient from Barnstone Tunnel towards Loughborough. The chord to the right is the link to Network Rail's Midland Mainline, over which gypsum freight trains regularly pass and visiting locos, stock and railtours can arrive on the GCR.

Train crossing canal bridge The train continues south and approaches the canal bridge It is en route to Loughborough Central and all stations to Leicester North. To the right is the spur in to the new Loco Works site on the old tip, where this steam loco may have been restored before taking its turn in service