
Miniature railway installed in Glenfield tunnel
When the railway closed in the 1960s, the tunnel was bought by Leicester City Council for £5.The Leicestershire Industrial History Society now offers guided tours at certain times of the year.
Treasurer Roger Caunt came up with the idea of installing a miniature railway there.He said: "We've already got a miniature railway at the Abbey Pumping Station, and the owner of the track there agreed that we could take track to the tunnel at Glenfield, install it, and leave it there for operation."The Leicestershire Industrial History Society hopes to extend the track, currently just shy of 165ft (50m), to about 250ft (76m).Mr Caunt said: "We want to give the passengers a proper experience of rattling along at a slow speed, which would have been the speed in the early days of the tunnel.""Those trains were not very fast at all, and going through the tunnel would have been a bit arduous for the driver."We understand that they had to, in some cases, have wet rags over their faces, because a mile long of smoke and steam is a lot to inhale."Tickets for the miniature railway experience are free, but visitors are asked to make a donation.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales leaves Australia during eight-month deployment
The fleet flagship has now set off for Japan in the next stop of its eight-month Indo-Pacific deployment. The £3 billion warship sailed from Portsmouth in April for the mission which involves visits with 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. As the sun sets on HMS Prince of Wales, we bid farewell to @COMUKCSG after an incredible visit. The Carrier Strike Group's first return since 1997 has strengthened our partnership and deepened UK-Australia ties. Until we meet again 🇬🇧🇦🇺#UKAustralia #CSG25 @SarahMacFCDO — UK in Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺 (@ukinaustralia) July 29, 2025 A Royal Navy spokesman said that the carrier had sailed from Darwin having taken part in the Talisman Sabre exercise as well as acting as a host for diplomatic visits, including from representatives of the indigenous Larrakia people. He said: 'The flagship hosted a string of senior British and Australian politicians, including Defence Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, his Australian counterpart Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. 'The aircraft carrier has also served as the impressive setting for a business and industry event, discussing the growing importance of defence links between London and Canberra. 'And the 2,500-plus personnel in the task group have enjoyed down time to explore the largest city in Australia's Northern Territory.' Able Seaman Owen Altoft, an 18-year-old chef from Newcastle who is on his first deployment, said: 'It's an experience being out in Australia. 📸.@HMSPWLS in Darwin, Australia 🇦🇺#CSG25 | @COMUKCSG — Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) July 28, 2025 'This deployment has been great – seeing what the world's like, seeing different places, cultures and food. It's what I signed up for. 'I tried kangaroo at the local food market and would try it again in a restaurant.' The Royal Navy spokesman said that the next stage of the deployment would involve combined air exercises with the carrier's F-35 jets and the Japanese navy. The Hon Pat Conroy MP visited @HMSPWLS while in Darwin. A great opportunity to demonstrate our joint capabilities, discuss partnerships and working together in the Indo-Pacific 🇦🇺🤝🇬🇧 #CSG25 #AUKUS — UK Carrier Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) July 29, 2025 He said: 'Both nations operate the same short take-off/vertical landing version of the stealth jet, the B variant, although Japan has not flown the fifth-generation strike fighter for quite as long as the UK.' Earlier in the deployment one of the stealth fighter jets was stranded at an airport in Kerala, India, after suffering mechanical issues. After the week-long exercise with Japan, the carrier will continue with its visit to the country while some vessels from the UK task group will head to South Korea.


The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales leaves Australia during eight-month deployment
The £3 billion warship sailed from Portsmouth in April for the mission which involves visits with 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. As the sun sets on HMS Prince of Wales, we bid farewell to @COMUKCSG after an incredible visit. The Carrier Strike Group's first return since 1997 has strengthened our partnership and deepened UK-Australia ties. Until we meet again 🇬🇧🇦🇺#UKAustralia #CSG25 @SarahMacFCDO — UK in Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺 (@ukinaustralia) July 29, 2025 A Royal Navy spokesman said that the carrier had sailed from Darwin having taken part in the Talisman Sabre exercise as well as acting as a host for diplomatic visits, including from representatives of the indigenous Larrakia people. He said: 'The flagship hosted a string of senior British and Australian politicians, including Defence Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, his Australian counterpart Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Members of the Royal Navy were visited by Defence Secretary John Healey, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles (Robbie Stephenson/PA) 'The aircraft carrier has also served as the impressive setting for a business and industry event, discussing the growing importance of defence links between London and Canberra. 'And the 2,500-plus personnel in the task group have enjoyed down time to explore the largest city in Australia's Northern Territory.' Able Seaman Owen Altoft, an 18-year-old chef from Newcastle who is on his first deployment, said: 'It's an experience being out in Australia. 'This deployment has been great – seeing what the world's like, seeing different places, cultures and food. It's what I signed up for. 'I tried kangaroo at the local food market and would try it again in a restaurant.' The Royal Navy spokesman said that the next stage of the deployment would involve combined air exercises with the carrier's F-35 jets and the Japanese navy. The Hon Pat Conroy MP visited @HMSPWLS while in Darwin. A great opportunity to demonstrate our joint capabilities, discuss partnerships and working together in the Indo-Pacific 🇦🇺🤝🇬🇧 #CSG25 #AUKUS — UK Carrier Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) July 29, 2025 He said: 'Both nations operate the same short take-off/vertical landing version of the stealth jet, the B variant, although Japan has not flown the fifth-generation strike fighter for quite as long as the UK.' Earlier in the deployment one of the stealth fighter jets was stranded at an airport in Kerala, India, after suffering mechanical issues. After the week-long exercise with Japan, the carrier will continue with its visit to the country while some vessels from the UK task group will head to South Korea.


Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Lionesses enjoy late-night Euros celebrations in London ahead of Mall parade
Thousands of fans are expected to descend on central London on Tuesday after the team defended their Euros title with a penalty shootout win over Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland. The Lionesses and their head coach Sarina Wiegman will make their way along The Mall near Buckingham Palace just after midday, before a trophy ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of the palace. Members of the squad were pictured arriving by taxi in groups for celebrations at the Little Italy restaurant in Soho on Monday evening. The team sported more casual wear for the gathering after earlier attending a reception at Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association (FA), said: 'We are so proud of all of the players, Sarina and the support team who have all been part of this incredible achievement. 'They have all worked unbelievably hard and we know the nation shares our pride. Sarina Wiegman takes a selfie with some of her team in the garden of Number 10 (Richard Pohle/The Times/PA) 'The victory celebration in London on Tuesday will give England fans an opportunity to celebrate with the players, and be part of history. 'We've had amazing support from our fans both in Switzerland and at home throughout the tournament, and we look forward to celebrating together and creating some lifelong memories.' The celebrations on home soil began on Monday afternoon when the team landed at Southend Airport in Essex. Hundreds of fans waited patiently to catch a glimpse of Wiegman's side and the trophy, which captain Leah Williamson held up in front of jubilant crowds. England fans erupted into cheers when the Lionesses left Southend Airport, with captain Leah Williamson holding the trophy (Yui Mok/PA) Number 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. Wiegman and some of her Lionesses spoke to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer via video call from the garden of No 10. The Dutchwoman said 'Hello Keir, nice to see you', adding 'it's lovely here'. Sir Keir said: 'Fantastic to see you all and welcome to Downing Street. I just wanted to say a huge, huge congratulations to you and to the whole team. 'It was an absolutely amazing victory and you must've felt the eyes and ears of the whole country on you last night.' At the reception, Wiegman congratulated her team and called for more investment in the women's game, saying: 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team.' Speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, she added: 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more.' In a post shared on X on Monday evening, Ms Rayner described the Lionesses as 'absolute legends', adding: 'So proud of what they've done for women's football and representing England with such brilliance. 'Let the celebrations continue!!' On Monday night, the Government announced plans for priority access to grassroots football pitches for girls and women to be more than doubled over the next five years to meet the expected increased demand after the Lionesses' dramatic win. England forward Chloe Kelly at Downing Street on Monday evening (Richard Pohle/The Times/PA) As well as the Prime Minister, the King also congratulated the European champions, saying in a statement posted on X: 'You have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses.' The Prince of Wales was spotted in the stands in Basel on Sunday applauding with those around him, including Princess Charlotte, and royal celebrations could continue as a trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be arranged for the team as plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides, it is understood.