Leicester–Burton upon Trent line

Leicester–Burton-upon-Trent line
Site of former Coalville Town station in 1988
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleEast Midlands
Termini
StationsNone
Service
TypeFreight-only line
SystemNational Rail
Daily ridership0
History
Opened1832-1849
Closed1964 to passenger services
Technical
Number of tracksSingle and Double
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Route map

(Click to expand)

The Leicester–Burton upon Trent line is a freight-only railway line in England linking the Midland Main Line near Leicester to the Derby to Birmingham line at Burton upon Trent. The line was built by the Midland Railway, which had acquired the Leicester and Swannington Railway in 1847, improving it and extending it. It opened throughout in 1849. The line connected an exceptional number of collieries and industrial premises, and several industrial branch lines were built radiating from it. Swadlincote was already an established community engaged in industry and there was a complex of branch lines there. The passenger service on the line was discontinued in 1964, and much of the mining-based industry has closed down; quarrying is the dominant residual originating traffic. There are proposals to reopen the passenger service, and these are under review at present (2022).