Kirkby-in-Ashfield East railway station

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst finally unpacking the last of the small boxes brought when we relocated earlier this year, I came across an old photograph of this station which on the reverse had a pencil note saying Midland Railway. What line was this on?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Midland Railway's Nottingham to Worksop line about 350 metres east of the current station

 

[LowLevel]

The current Robin Hood line around Kirkby in Ashfield causes confusion - it actually touches upon 3 different railway alignments. Where the current Robin Hood line station is (named Kirkby in Ashfield, but in the railway's internal systems as Kirkby Central to this day, despite not being where that station was located either ) is on the former Great Northern Railway route. This is achieved by leaving the Midland Railway route after Kirkby Tunnel, climbing steeply over the old Great Central Railway alignment for a matter of yards and via a number of tight curves achieving the old GN alignment which BR had used after abandoning the old MR route in the hope of selling it for development.

By a further series of curves it then regains the old Midland route around Sutton Parkway/Sutton Junction.

 

[Harpers Tate]

You can compare the track layout as indicated on OS maps published around 1960 with the current(ish) satellite view using the transparency slider here:

Georeferenced Maps - Map images - National Library of Scotland

 

[ChrisC]

I just about remember it as a child just before it closed in 1964. I was only 8 years old when it closed but I do remember it. My dad worked at Kirkby Loco Shed just to the north of the old station. I remember the level crossing on Station Road where the traffic lights now are just east of the Council Offices and the Station was immediately north of the level crossing. Where the Robin Hood Line now climbs a steep gradient as it comes out of Kirkby tunnel the old line used to curve round to the right and run behind Kingsway Park. I think that part of the route is now a cycle track. Summit Pit was also to the he north of the station and loco shed.

 

[Western Sunset]

Kirkby shed and the adjoining sidings were once an important location for the movement of coal from the Notts Coalfield to Manchester (via Rowsley) and the Birmingham area (via Ambergate and Derby).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Many thanks to all website members for the information in their postings.