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Pete Burns

 

This is Derby Friargate Station. The first photo is 1948 and the second 1964, both taken from the upper floor of the Goods Warehouse (still standing). Unbelievably, all four platforms are still there today, 58 years after closure, very much overgrown. I frequently travelled from Friargate with my schoolmates for a day's trainspotting at Grantham in the 60's and still have the ticket from my last journey, 2 weeks before the Station closed.

 

Tony Hazlewood

 

Did you know...

 

Underneath the Arches

 

"Underneath the Arches" is a 1932 popular song with words and music by Bud Flanagan, and additional lyrics by Reg Connelly. It was one of the most famous songs of the duo Flanagan and Allen. According to a television programme broadcast in 1957, Bud Flanagan said that he wrote the song in Derby in 1927, and first performed it a week later at the Pier Pavilion, Southport. It refers to the arches of Friar Gate railway bridge and to the homeless men who slept there during the Great Depression.

I was aboard the last train from Nottingham Victoria to Derby Friargate. There was a 'large' turnout at every station. Detonators were placed on the line at some stations. At least it went out with a bang and not a whimper!

The return fare was four shillings!.

 

Dave Cowan

Whilst on Duty in the mid-1980's as the volunteer Station Master at Loughborough Central (on the preserved Great Central Steam Railway) I met Friargate's last Station Master. The gentleman was then in his 80's, he retired the day Friargate closed. From memory this SM was also in charge at West Hallam at the same time. Rationalisation of rolls had by then commenced, so an SM being in charge of two stations wasn't uncommon. West Hallam closed to passengers on the same day as Friargate in Sept 1964.

 

Mark Tittley

Here are some ticket stubs relating to the GNR Derby Friargate and destinations. Also a BR advert for cheap day tickets 1960.

 

Dave Watkins

Here's a Friargate rarity. A loco breakdown report Feb 1960 stationed at Derby Friargate.

 

I do remember seeing trains pass through Breadsall village as a small child as I'm the same age as the loco report. We lived on Morley Road. Also remember feeling sad seeing the wrecking train finally ripping up the tracks.

 

 

Dave Watkins

Thanks to everyone who have shared their memories of the Friargate Line.

I have tried to credit everyone with the memories they have shared.

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