Essendine railway station was a station in Essendine, Rutland. It was situated on the East Coast Main Line of the Great Northern Railway.
Overview The main line and the station opened in 1853. The Stamford and Essendine Railway branch line to Stamford and the line to Bourne were opened in 1856 and 1860. Due to its status as a junction, it was served by some express trains as well as by stopping trains. For many years a commuter train left King's Cross at around 5pm and terminated at Essendine, before returning the next morning.Shown in Bradshaw's Feb 1863, April 1910 and July 1922 railway guides. The Bourne branch closed in 1951. The Stamford branch closed in 1959 along with Essendine station itself and the Peterborough to Grantham local services. Peterborough to Grantham is the longest distance between adjacent stations in England.
The 'South' Signal-box at Essendine was enlarged, not long after it was built, and by the time the station closed, had well over a hundred levers. Many of these, however had become 'spare' by that time. About the first 21 or 22 were for working the Bourne Branch and some related sidings.
Record
The world speed record for steam locomotives at was achieved on 3 July 1938 by LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard. Taking place on the slight downwards grade of Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line, the highest speed was recorded at milepost 90¼, between Little Bytham and Essendine. It broke the German (DRG Class 05) 002's 1936 record of 124 mph (200.4 km/h).
Summary of former services
London services In 1863 there were 5 services to London with a best time of 2 hours 30 min via the York - London train at 13.30. In April 1910 this had improved to 10 services, although some required a change at Peterborough, and the best time was 1 hour 46 mins via the Nottingham - London express at 08.54. By July 1922, this had reduced to 7 services, with the best time now being 2 hours 10 mins via the Leeds - London express at 10.10. In 2009, it is possible to travel to London by public transport in under 2 hours. The fastest route is by bus to Stamford and then train to London, changing at Peterborough.
Train timetable for July 1922 The table below shows the train departures from Essendine on weekdays in July 1922.Bradshaw Railway Guide, July 1922 DepartureGoing toCalling atArrivalOperator06.35YorkGrantham, Newark, Retford, Ranskill, Bawtry, Doncaster, Selby, York. Also through coaches to Leeds and Bradford09.18GNR06.40Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East06.50GNR07.59RetfordLittle Bytham, Corby, Great Ponton, Grantham, Barkston, Hougham, Claypole, Newark, Carlton, Crow Park, Dukeries Junction, Tuxford, Retford09.45GNR08.10Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East08.20GNR08.30BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne08.50GNR08.54London Kings CrossPeterborough North, Yaxley, Holme, Huntingdon, Offord, St Neots, Sandy, Biggleswade, Hitchin, Finsbury Park, London Kings Cross11.15GNR08.56Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East09.06GNR09.52GranthamLittle Bytham, Corby, Great Ponton, Grantham10.35GNR10.05Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East10.15GNR10.05BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne10.25GNR10.10London Kings CrossTallington, Peterborough North, Finsbury Park, London Kings Cross12.20GNR11.07GranthamLittle Bytham, Corby, Great Ponton, Grantham11.40GNR11.27Peterborough NorthTallington, Peterborough North11.46GNR11.30BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne11.45GNR11.35Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East11.45GNR13.25Peterborough NorthPeterborough North13.41GNR13.30Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East13.39GNR13.58YorkGrantham, Newark, Retford, Ranskill, Bawtry, Doncaster, Selby, York16.22GNR14.08RetfordLittle Bytham, Corby, Great Ponton, Grantham, Barkston, Hougham, Claypole, Newark, Carlton, Crow Park, Dukeries Junction, Tuxford, Retford15.48GNR14.10Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East14.20GNR14.22BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne14.37GNR15.50GranthamGrantham16.11GNR15.59London Kings CrossPeterborough North, Huntingdon, Sandy, Biggleswade, Hitchin, Finsbury Park, London Kings Cross18.20GNR16.05Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East16.15GNR16.05BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne16.25GNR17.17Peterborough NorthTallington, Peterborough North17.36GNR17.17RetfordLittle Bytham, Corby, Great Ponton, Grantham, Barkston, Hougham, Claypole, Newark, Carlton, Crow Park, Dukeries Junction, Tuxford, Retford19.00GNR17.25Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East17.35GNR17.25BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne17.40GNR18.48GranthamLittle Bytham, Grantham19.13GNR18.58London Kings CrossPeterborough North, Huntingdon, Sandy, Biggleswade, Hitchin, Finsbury Park, London Kings Cross11.46GNR19.09Stamford EastRyhall & Belmesthorpe, Stamford East19.19GNR19.12BourneBraceborough Spa, Thurlby, Bourne19.26GNR21.05Peterborough NorthTallington, Peterborough North21.24GNR
References
External links Bourne & Essendine timetable, 1860