MY LIFE IN TRAINS
My Story - Part Twenty Four
Leicester - around Knighton Tunnels
Late in May 1963, almost at the end of my first year in Leicester, I discovered that there was a perfect location very close to the University at Knighton North Junction – between the northern end of the triangular junction between the Leicester to London and Leicester to Burton lines, and either end of Knighton Tunnel. Conveniently, a gate at the end of the road past the University led into allotments over the tunnel, and gave me all the access I needed to the line side.
Over the course of two days I shot off a whole film. Surprisingly, although the principal passenger trains were all diesel hauled there was still plenty of steam to see.
All Photographs by Alan Lewis Chambers ©
LMSR Jubilee 4-6-0 No 45631 'Tanganyika' bursts out of Knighton Tunnel south of Leicester with a southbound express on 27 May 1963.
BR Type 4 No D47 leaves Leicester and heads for St Pancras at Knighton Tunnel on 27 May 1963.
LMSR Stanier 2-6-0 No 42971 drifts past Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963 with the brake van for a freight it will haul south later in the day.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44030 heads past Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963 with a northbound class K freight.
BR Class 4 4-6-0 No 75043 heads a parcels train out of Knighton Tunnel heading south from Leicester on 27 May 1963.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44013 heads north towards Leicester London Road at Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963.
The down Midland Pullman heading for Nottingham passes Knighton Junction just south of Leicester at 12.40 on 27 May 1963.
BR Franco-Crosti boilered 9F 2-10-0 No 92023, by now converted to conventional draughting, heads north light engine
at Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44156 heads south with a single brake van near Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963.
LMSR Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0 No 43118 hauls a freight south at Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963.
BR 9F 2-10-0 No 92125 emerges from Knighton Tunnel with an up freight on 27 May 1963.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44013 hauls an up freight out of Knighton Tunnel south of Leicester on 27 May 1963.
LMSR Stanier 2-6-0 No 42971 heads a southbound freight through Knighton Tunnel on 27 May 1963.
LMSR Black 5 4-6-0 No 44920 heads a northbound class K freight at Knighton North Junction on 27 May 1963.
LMSR Jubilee 4-6-0 No 45624 'St Helena' heads north towards Leicester London Road at Knighton North Junction on 28 May 1963.
A Class 4 express freight powered by BR Type 4 No D159 heads south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR 8F 2-8-0 No 48306 drifts south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44013 heads south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Jubilee 4-6-0 No 45624 'St Helena' heads south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR 4F 0-6-0 No 44403 heads south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Class 4 2-6-0 No 43120 heads north out of Knighton Tunnel, Leicester, on 28 May 1963.
LMSR 8F 2-8-0 No 48198 heads a northbound freight out of Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Black Five 4-6-0 No 45199 leaves Leicester for the south on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Black Five 4-6-0 No 44966 heads north through Knighton Tunnel, Leicester, on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Class 4F 0-6-0 No 44013 heads north through Knighton Tunnel, Leicester, on 28 May 1963.
LMSR Jubilee 4-6-0 No 45676 'Codrington' heads south from Leicester towards Knighton Tunnel on 28 May 1963.
