Rally Park West Bridge Station Traditional Cache
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Rally Park West Bridge Station
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is now a small camo'd container that can take small items. Please rehide very well. It is at the southern end of a park called The Rally, an unusual wedge of land sandwiched between the back gardens of terraced houses as well as being partly skirted by the Grand Union Canal. It is in a well lit area and there are numerous parking opportunities in streets around. The area is muggle heavy due to dog walkers, people walking to work and schools nearby, so stealth may be required.
The Rally was once part of the historic Leicester and Swannington Railway, the very first to be opened in the Midlands. Robert Stevenson was contracted as chief engineer. From a station and coal wharf alongside the Soar Navigation at West Bridge on the west side of the Fosse Way in Leicester, it headed northwards for about a mile, before passing through the one-mile 36 yard long tunnel at Glenfield, (the longest in England at that time) to the valley of the Rothley Brook. It proceeded about five miles to Desford, then swung north west towards Bagworth. The original Bagworth station was at the foot of a 1 in 29 self-acting inclined plane to the summit at 565 feet. Then the line passed through a cutting at Battleflat before reaching Bardon Hill and on to Long Lane where new collieries were opened. Beyond Long Lane the railway descended by a further inclined plane of 1 in 17 to the existing coal mines at Swannington and an end on connection with the Coleorton railway, which linked to further coal mines and limestone quarries. The track was single throughout and suffered from a height restriction through Glenfield tunnel and locos used had to have low cab roofs and chimneys. Midland Railway built a batch of 6-wheel coaches of lower height and 4 inches narrower than normal to work through. They also had bars over their windows so that passengers could not lean out when going through the tunnel.
The inaugural run, from West Bridge in Leicester to Bagworth, took place on 17th July 1832. The first engine was called ‘Comet’ and to get it to Leicester it had to be transported by sea and canal. A cannon was fired that had been specially cast for the opening of the Leicester and Swannington Railway to salute the new steam locomotive "Comet" on it’s inaugural run (driven by Robert Weatherburn). The rolling stock had to be specially converted to take the 400 passengers. There was only one mishap, which occurred when the train’s chimney stack struck the roof of the newly constructed Glenfield Tunnel. Glenfield tunnel was only the second tunnel on a passenger railway in the world, having shortly followed the opening of one on the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway. It proved an attraction for the inquisitive and had to be fitted with gates
Passenger trains on the stub to Leicester (West Bridge) ended in September 1928, although coal and oil traffic continued until 29 April 1966.[6]
An interesting feature of the Park is an original signal standing beside a piece of track at the site of the former West Bridge station. At the end of The Rally, the line used to cross Fosse Road North. The original bridge has been replaced by a footbridge, but the bridge abutments are original. If you know where to look, the northern portal of Glenfield tunnel still exists. The other end has been filled in and built on.
The Forest Way cycle path is integrated into the park and there is a small nature area by the St Augustine’s Road entrance. There is also a paved seating area, a kiddies play area, a junior football pitch and a casual BMX trail.
Access Information
There are access points from Fosse Road North, St Augustine’s Road, Tudor Road, Bonchurch Street and the Grand Union canal. On- street parking is available.
There are tarmac paths throughout the Park. The Tudor Road, Bonchurch Street and St Augustine’s Road entrances are the most accessible for disabled users.
****CONGRATULATIONS TO G FORCE - FTF!!!!*****
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Tebhaq Yriry
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