Why wasn't Shirebrook (West) called Shirebrook (East)?

[Peter Kazmierczak]

The railway geography of the East Midlands was, in places, complex.

 

The area around Shirebrook on the Notts/Derby border was served by the Midland, the Great Northern and the Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast (later GC) railways.

 

* There was a Shirebrook (North)- on the LD&ECR - probably better known as Langwith Junction with its large steam shed. Unsurprisingly this was on the north side of the village, some way from the centre.

 

* There was a Shirebrook (South) on the GNR - on the western side of the village.

 

* Then there was Shirebrook (West) - on the MR - site of the present station and once home to a small diesel depot. However this was (and is) on the EAST side of the village.

 

So why wasn't it named Shirebrook (East)?

[Richard Pike]

Hi Peter,

 

I actually live not a million miles from the station, so am a little familiar with the location, the location of the station is at Shirebrook West junction, which is the western end of the former LD&ECR junction to which further East has a Shirebrook East junction.

 

Hope that helps.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

From a Midland Railway viewpoint that makes (some kind) of sense.

 

Thanks - much appreciated.

[JeffP]

Ah...Langwith...brings back memories.

As does Shirebrook diesel depot, which a mate and I decided to "do" one night on the way home from elsewhere, around midnight.

 

Only to be caught by the shed foreman, whose opening shot of, "You beggars* are out on a wart tonight are you?" (* replace "e" with "u"), sort of set the scene..........