Tracking Train Carriages

Britains industrious 19th century saw maturing years of steam engines.   A revolutionary power also capable of breaking most previous transport limitations.   Competitive railroads soon began spanning lands feeding industry and extending passenger connections nationwide.   Fueling this mechanisation our regional coal fields held that all important resource attracting private rail group investors. Seeking out such profitable cargo routes, they found little resistance now for laying branch lines through towns who proved eager to gain passenger stations.

Powerful amalgamations achieved the formation of a newer Midland Railway on 10th May 1844.   Planned rail roads radiating from our central hub at Nottingham began, and on 2nd October 1848 their lines opened for passengers into Kirkby.   Having previously purchased the original Mansfield and Pinxton tramway for £21,066 in 1847, modifications converted its future role under heavier steam trains.   East from Kirkby the Midland Railway then extended passenger services on into Mansfield by October 1849.

While industrial markets became far better fed, fastest regular passenger services widened all restrictive land travels.   Smaller areas eagerly sought links, such at Sutton-in-Ashfield where a junction station was built on the Mansfield lines from Nottingham crossing its southern borders.   Shown here aside an existing Adlington Mill at farther end of a Forest Lane, this passenger platform named as Sutton Junction opened 9th October 1849.   Seated railway access was thus first gained within our parish borders, although remotely stationed from its nearest populated core and still a good 3 mile walk or cart ride away from Huthwaite.

Serving general requirements in our primary and wealthier parish town center a second platform was eventually built closer into the population.   At costs totalling £52,448 the Midland Railway added a branch line from its existing Sutton Junction.   That followed the lengthy extension of Forest Road, later renamed Station Road by this second station shown 1963 sited upon Clarkes Croft, near todays High Pavement.   As the Midland Railways Sutton Town Station that was ceremoniously opened 1st May 1892, in presence of members to the Local Board who, invited aboard a supplied saloon formally took that first run.   Proving a popular branch line when giving short shuttle services aboard the Penny Emma to catch further trains passing through Sutton Junction.

Mansfield press reports from 1897 voice complaints concerning peak time overcrowding by passengers sharing that single Nottingham line.   An additional track was however already progressing as the Great Northern Railway laid separate lines north from Nottingham, through Sutton-in-Ashfield into Shirebrook.   Their own Sutton station shown bridging along Outram Street was opened 1st March 1898 for goods.   Then 4th April passenger services opened, marked by a Town Hall banquet arranged by Mr AH Bonsor JP.   Claiming as honouring attendance was several hundred tradesmen, manufacturers and gentlemen for a significant occasion.

This early photo displays two platform signs on that Great Northern Railway.   The top being SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD below which it reads FOR HUTHWAITE.   Our individual village community was thus invited sharing passenger services aboard this competing town railroad within our relational district.

One major impact made by steam trains can be demonstrated by simply showing this 1903 leaflet supplied courtesy of Jayne Elliott.   Just a day trip for kids to our nearest seaside?   Sands on Skegness beach lay around 80 miles away by road became most popular from our Midlands region for family holidays.   Now journeys are taken casually by train, bus, car, motorcycle even bicycle. But, before harnessing powers of steam, this day return visit could hardly have been even imagined possible.

Along better prepared staged routes a coach could average 7mph by changing its 4 horse team around every 6 miles.   So this coastal journey would have required some 15 stops using 60 horses.   Sat inside a small bare carriage offering no time for resting passengers it could possibly have been achieved within 12 hours.   If tried this may explain why seaside hats display 'kiss me quick'.   After all that journey when finding the tide out there would be little time left reaching the sea for a quick paddle before jumping back aboard and repeating another exhausting return trip home that same day.   Charging from 5d per mile a £2 fare each way would have seemed most reasonable, yet adult returns on that Great Northern Railway were just 2 shillings 9 pennies.   In todays coinage less than 14p and children under 12 years even rode half price enjoying that pleasurable voyage.

Less than three miles distance those two town lines offered variety of destinations and competitive links encouraged pleasurable use even of four stations for business and leisure.   It might have been well worth the walk from Huthwaite, although established village carrier carts continued connections against later electric trams.   But you weren't on the map without your own Station Platform.

Produced 01 Jan 2004 - Revised 11 Feb 2008