Canal Lane - A Description

There has been coal mining in Leicestershire for many years, especially around Ashby de le Zouch. The Ashley canal was opened in 1804, this was 31 miles long and transported coal from the area to the Coventry Canal at Bedworth. There were also a number of tramways that were constructed to link the canal with the collieries, so coal could be easily transported. The running of the canal was taken over by the Midland railway in 1846 but during the 1900’s its use steadily declined and in 1966 it was closed. At a similar time the parallel railway line was also closed, although both canal and railway have now been partly restored.

While on the fenlands of East Anglia canals and waterways were also used to distribute goods including coal to isolated communities. The Wisbech canal was built in 1797, which was filled by high spring tides from the River Nene. By 1884 the Wisbech to Upwell tramway was built and coal was loaded by the use of chutes into the boats. The canal was finally abandoned in 1926 and filled in during the 1960’s. The tramway closed in 1966.

Although the model "Canal Lane" is a fictitious line set in the 1950’s, it is clearly influenced by these two locations and their history. The coal mine processing plant that can be seen on the layout originally had quite a small output, which was transported by a narrow gauge line to the canal for further distribution. This line also served other local communities. However, as the output increased a standard gauge line was built so the coal could be easily transported to markets that were further afield. The remnants of the narrow gauge line remained, which still provides a limited service to transport produce between the canal and local community. The focus of the standard gauge line is the transport of coal and other goods, it has a limited passenger service.