IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Marion Avenue, NOTTINGHAM, NG17 7GJ

View SE from the B6021 bridge. This had been the ex-Midland Nottingham - Mansfield - Worksop line until closed north of Newstead 12/10/70 (passenger services had ceased from 12/10/64). The new Robin Hood Line (Nottingham - Mansfield - Worksop) was diverted over the route through this tunnel because it was shorter than the ex-GCR one. The line was restored to Mansfield Woodhouse later in 1995 and to Worksop in 1998.

Less than 200 yards long, it runs under the steep but narrow ridge forming Robin Hood's Hills. It was built in 1848 by the Midland Railway as part of its route from Nottingham to Mansfield. The line closed in 1964, and the tunnel was later filled in. The Robin Hood Line project to restore passenger train services between Nottingham and Mansfield required the provision of a tunnel under Robin Hood's Hill, and studies showed that this tunnel was still in good condition. It was therefore reopened and passenger service resumed in 1995.

Part of the original Midland Railway line between Nottingham and Mansfield. Just beyond the level crossing the line curves left on a new alignment to join the old Great Central Railway alignment. The original Midland Railway alignment continuing the curve to the right has been built over.

Pictured from a spot close to one of Nottinghamshire's points. An electrical substation can be seen in the middle distance.

A main district switching station near Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Derby Road, just north of the Shoulder of Mutton junction. The gap in between the terraces has since been filled with more houses. The plaque between the upper windows of the closest house reads "AD 1904 - Highest Point in Notts - 609 feet above sea level". The road clearly rises between this house and the corner, though, which is a clue that this plaque is not in its original location. Its story has received attention in the local "The Ad" paper (May 2009): a letter from John Harris of Langley Mill states that the plaque was affixed, in the year noted on it (1904) to the Castle Houses (originally the Imperial Cafe & Restaurant) further up the hill. The plaque is made of slate, and was fixed in its present position in or after the 1980s. Mr Harris helped remove it from the Castle Houses, researched its history, and refurbished it, and so this seems like a fairly definitive account! The current contender is Image, but landscaping is also going on at Silverhill Colliery, in Image - see the discussion thread associated with this square.

Whilst waiting at the traffic lights, I glanced across Derby Road at this house because the plaque caught my eye. It reads "AD 1904 Highest Point in Notts 609 feet above sea level". Having come down this road and had to apply quite a lot of braking to stop, I pondered the sign for a whole minute before the penny dropped - there was something wrong! Luckily, a fellow Geographer had been here before - Image Fortunately, I'm going to stop worrying about this inconsistency, because in about a year's time, the growth will have covered the plaque and all will be well again.