Listing

Cutting and contractor's rails

Fascinating view of the cutting south of Cosby showing the permanent way being laid. The photograph was taken by the bridge over the Midland Counties Railway, looking south towards Lutterworth. In the far distance can be seen a three arch brick overbridge, with the contractor's line and the new line running beneath it. A good example of the contractor's railway point mechanisms can be seen in the foreground, balanced on old sleepers. Note the switchback nature of the contractor's line on the left. This area formed part of Contract No. 3 (Aylestone to Rugby) built by Topham, Jones & Railton between 1894 and 1897. See on Route Map