Building the last Main Line Railway

Rugby to Barby: gcrcs100

This photograph was taken at the same time as image 'gcrcs99' but from the other side of the Ashlawn Road bridge. The contractor's locomotive waits in steam and is attached to the line of wagons seen in the previous photograph. The contractors temporary way can be seen with one of the many light engines used by the contractors in building the line.

Visible in the central arch beneath the plume of white steam is the distinctive cab of the steam navvy, a makeshift shelter built of wood and corrugated metal that helped shield the engine and her crew from the elements. This side of the bridge the cutting is more complete than the side seen in image 'gcrcs99'. This suggests that the contractor commenced the excavation from the south near Barby and worked towards the LNWR line.

This would be logical as the spoil could not be removed from the LNWR side until the GC bridge, viaduct and works were complete to transport the spoil. In addition the Barby area, where the cattle sidings were to be placed, would require spoil for the extensive embankments that were required.

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