Tag: South Wigston

November 9th – The start and end of the rail journey to Leicester today. When I arrived for my train at Lichfield, the information sign showed that the preceding Virgin express was running very late and was due to call just before my train. For a while, the sign showed the later train as coming in first, even though the timings on the sign meant that was impossible. 6 minutes late, after the express had hurriedly called, my train limped up. In the mean time, it had disappeared off the sign completely, with the train I was to catch completely absent from the system. I think they do it just to frighten us…

At the other end, it appeared that an all night party had been occurring in the shelter at South Wigston, chip papers were scattered throughout the platform. Sometimes I think we get the rail service we deserve. 

July 25th – possibly the ugliest building I’ve ever seen, this industrial unit near South Wigston station is, frankly, hideous. I don’t know who had it built or why, but it has no windows whatsoever, and seems to consist of precast concrete ribs bolted together. The worst part is that it faces, on the other side of the street, a pleasant housing estate who must have been looking out on this architectural aberration for decades. Now used as a self-storage depot, I hope the owners see sense and demolish it…

June 28th – Back in Leicester for a meeting, early morning. Returning at lunchtime, I sat waiting with my bike for what seemed like an age at the barren, lonely South Wigston station. I’m by no means a train anorak, but I’m interested in the different things that pass. This bright yellow Plasser & Theurer rail grinder waited at distant signals for 10 minutes before rolling noisily past. The thunder is still quite awesome.

June 14th – at the other end of my morning commute is South Wigston Station, Leicester. A forlorn, lonely and thoroughly isolated station, it has no staff or information system, and serves only a few trains each day, with a stopping service every 2 hours. It looks pleasant and green today, but in winter and at night it’s cold, solitary and intimidating place. It’s the worst station I use on a regular basis. A thoroughly awful facility.