14:40 The original timbers of the lifting bridge didn't survive because they were burnt by contractors working for Leicestershire County Council when they moved it from its position outside the fascinating Snibston Discovery park, which closed in 2015 (a cost cutting measure). The timbers were deteriorating (from an 1845 rebuild and an 1883 redesign) but no thought had been made about recording the workings of the mechanism. Despite being removed from West Bridge in the 1960s, it had been reconstructed firstly at Abbey Pumping Station and then at Snibston but bizarrely in the open position with a wagon on it, which would never have happened. I look forward to it being 'lifted' to show its workings. The current reconstruction was completed using photos and drawings of it in its place at West Bridge (next to Soar Lane).

I took that trip a few months ago. Delightful & amazing what the local community have achieved with this & the heritage center.

Question answered.Really interesting video for me as l grew up in Leicester in the 50’s/60’s and remember the G C R when it was fully functional.Sadly l saw its demise as well.

Good to see the branch in use. I had a very small hand in helping with the clearance and track laying. A remarkable contrast to one summer weekday evening around the turn of the century when a few of us GCR volunteers, having finished some work on the GCR quicker than expected, went for a nosey down the abandoned trackbed. Despite having iron bars with us we only made it a hundred yards or so due to density of vegetation.

Many years ago i walked about a mile from the junction and it was just about passable. I certainly never thought trains would ever return.

excellent video captured the heritage center lovely too i work as a guard and driver on the narrow gauge railway there its a great place to bring children and other railway enthusiasts

That was really enjoyable. I have the feeling that some preserved lines are for money; which is of course important; but that others are run by pure enthusiasts. You are definitely in the latter.

I can remember as a child playing in some old wooden wagons that were abandoned in the cutting near Nunckley Hill. Never thought that the line would be used as a passenger branch line! In my younger days I can recall walking along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal by Frog Island and going under the Swannington Railway lift Bridge when it was still in its rightful place doing the job it was built for. Sad it's not still there but at least it survives in a much renovated condition. It always fascinated me and I spent a long time looking at it and trying to work out just how it operated. It doesn't look quite the same without the canal beneath it and the woodwork was never that pristine! It was a very mucky and murky spot where it stood. I always thought it was a bit spooky!

Great video and I'm glad you enjoyed visiting us at the Heritage Centre. Very pleased to finally see some video evidence of me driving in the Ruston!

I couldn’t quite make it out but was that a remake of Stephenson’s lift bridge in the Nunockley Hill yard ?I remember the one over the Soar when l was a kid.