EEG - Classes: Battlefield Line

In 1873, the London North Western Railway and the Midland Railway opened a joint line between Moira West and Nuneaton. The length of the joint line from Moira West to Nuneaton-Ashby Junction was 29 miles and was the only joint line of any importance that was built by the two companies. The other portion of the Ashby Nuneaton line was a branch from Shackerstone Junction to Coalville. In 1883 The Charnwood Forest Railway was opened, this could only be acessed by the ANJR near Hugglescote.

In the 1923 grouping these lines were assigned to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and timetabled passenger services finished in 1931 apart from special excursions. These continued until the early 1960's. The Coalville-Shackerstone line closed completely in 1964, the last steam hauled passenger train to pass through was an enthusiasts special in 1965, headed by a Standard Class 2. The Ashby-Nuneaton railway survived until early 1970 before British Rail finally axed the line.

The Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. was formed in 1969, initially as a failed attempt to secure a locomotive from the infamous Woodhams Yard at Barry. Not put off by this, the society soon purchased another locomotive and had to find a home for it. A temporary one was found in Market Bosworth and soon after at the start of 1970 the society set up home at Shackerstone.

Soon after this the line closed and British Rail ripped up most of it for scrap. The society were successful in persuading BR to retain the track between Shackerstone and Market Bosworth, funds wouldn't allow the track to Shenton to be purchased, but the trackbed was purchased between the two points.

After a period of consolidation, the railway eventually raised the funds required to extend south of Market Bosworth and in 1992 the line to Shenton began operations. Will there be further extensions, we shall have to wait and see, but preently the railway is alive and well in the heart of the East Midlands.

Directions by Road	This is the recommended route to find the railway. Shackerstone Station is situated midway between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Hinckley in Leicestershire and is signposted from both the A444 (M/A42 Jct 11 or A5 Redgate turn) and A447 (to A511 (either A42 Ashby or M1 Jct 22) or Hinckley A47) trunk roads. From these points the route is marked with brown tourist signs for you to follow. From the B585 Market Bosworth road, through the villages of Congerstone and Shackerstone. Once through the village of Shackerstone you will pass over a canal bridge and then straight away another larger bridge. Immediately after the crown of this bridge take the turn to the left down the short incline. At the bottom of the incline turn to the left again and the gates into the railway site are in front of you. The station is approximately a quarter of mile from here along the old track bed.
Directions by Public Transport	By Train The nearest railway stations are at Hinckley, Polesworth, Leicester and Nuneaton. For Full Train timetable information please use the National Rail website. By Bus There are bus services from Leicester to Market Bosworth Town Centre and to Newton Burgoland. Either way, a taxi will be required to reach your destination. For Full bus timetable information please use the Travel Line website.
Map

Location	Miles	Chains	Notes
End of Siding	0	00
Shackerstone Junction	0	15	Site of
Shackerstone	0	22
Market Bosworth	2	58
Shenton	4	46

Currently Resident
Loco	Arrived	Status
37906	03/10/2019	Being Restored / Repaired

Note - Locos that show as resident may be based here but loaned to other sites, click on 'Loco' to view the most recent location

Past Visitors
Loco	Arrived	Departed	Notes
37227	09/04/2003	26/10/2011	Moved to a new base
37905	07/02/2008	25/05/2009	Moved to a new base

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